THE MIDKNIGHT GARDEN: Home to The Serpent Priesthood & Knights of the Red Order.

“So here we are, on the last week of this incredible quest where we have traveled through some amazing countries and had some wonderful and eye opening experiences. We traveled though ‘time and space’ where not everything was as it seemed…

The photos above are of a very scenic pit stop and ‘comfort break’ where we stopped awhile to stretch our legs, on the way through to Germany. Even on a long journey and a tight schedule there is always time to stop and admire the beautiful scenery….

Oh and there’s me through the tinted windows on the ferry deck!”

WEEK FOUR:

6TH JUNE: DAY TWENTYTWO: So today we were up and ready to board the ferry from Kristiansand to take us across to the other side of Norway, thus avoiding the very long road trip around the water. We embarked after nearly four hours, all ready for our long road trip back into Germany for a three night stay.

7TH JUNE: DAY TWENTYTHREE: A very well-earned rest day!

8TH JUNE: DAY TWENTYFOUR: St John’s Church. Schleswig-Holstein. Meldorf. Germany: Initial cathedral building built from 818-826.  Once the place of the Risings, still holding great energy today.

The old town square just outside the church was very attractive with some unusual historic items displayed, some nice shops and cafes too, so well worth a look, a stroll and a coffee.

VICELIN KIRCHE: NEUMUNSTER: Vicelinus was born in Hamelin around 1066. Orphaned at an early age, he was raised by his uncle Ludolf, a priest in a neighboring village. He secretly left for Paderborn, where he enjoyed the home and instructions of Hartmann and soon surpassed his companions and assisted in the management of the cathedral school. (Later a Bishop) While we were inside a local musician was playing some beautiful flute music.

The church was decorated in pastel colors inside and with some interesting symbolism. There was a big display of artwork inside, i think it was an exhibition, but as i can’t read the language it’s hard to tell.  I may create another separate page for all the artworks viewed on this quest, rather that use the actual quest pages up – so keep a look out for it!

9TH JUNE: DAY 25: We are always sad to leave Germany for many good reasons and today was no exception. We bade farewell to embark upon a journey of over four hours into the Netherlands with little breaks along the way and we arrived safe and sound for a three night stay in a kind of rural ‘community’ of sorts.

‘The Old and the New!’

On our way to the church we stopped in a seaside town that was very much updating it’s image into a modern resort, it was in an ideal spot. Photos of windmills too with a relaxing view from our patio!

10th JUNE: DAY TWENTYSIX: SINT BONIFATIUSKERK (THE SAINT BONIFACE CHURCH): The Boniface church is a late Gothic hall/Roman Catholic church with three naves, in Medemblik, Netherlands, dedicated to Saint Bonifatius (ca 672-754), who was an English Benedictine monk known for converting pagan peoples in present-day Germany and the Netherlands. Construction started in 1404, but the church burned down twice. In 1555, the rebuilding of the church began and in order to pay for it King Phillip 11 granted tax relief for a period of ten years.  Sadly the church was mostly closed, just a small side chapel was opened, probably the Lady Chapel, but it was very lacking in energy. To be honest i am a little confused as the info board in the Lady Chapel stated ‘Sint Martinuskkirk’, so a bit unsure, on looking back, of where i was on this occasion, as they are two different places, but i am sure that wherever we were we were at the right place! As for the town itself, it was rather lovely, a nice spot to spend a few hours browsing and enjoying a coffee and the very lovely weather.

After the church a very interesting visit to a local, working windmill with it’s own restaurant on site. Not planned or part of the Quest but very interesting indeed, and we were not likely to have chance of this experience again.Then a wander around this delightful town, so a great day out, despite the heat!

The last and i believe the most significant church awaited us on Quest 37, but first a drive across which was really sea, reclaimed land in fact across a wide old ocean. If you look at the ‘sat nav’ you can see we are actually surrounded by ocean – so what an incredible piece of engineering work that was!

11TH JUNE: DAY TWENTYSEVEN: SINT-CATHARINA KERK. NETHERLANDS: The final church visit on this Quest, and really making the most of it to embrace this special place. Built in 1871, so to secure the valued ‘artifact’ of 1823 AD. In today’s world the artifact has been safely moved, yet it is said that the energy residue still remains. ‘Memento Mori’ is written under the skull and crossbones at the entrance to the church, a phrase connected to many paths and very much connected to the Templars, with many signs and symbols for those whom know to see. Interestingly the church is in the middle of nowhere hidden behind trees and countryside with not a building in sight, but even so we had company of an ‘unusual’ kind while we were there of both the mundane and metaphysical…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori

FISHERMAN’S MONUMENT: WIERUM: Strategically placed in this lovely scenic place of discovery. The memorial is a very poignant work of art representing all the local lives lost at sea. It is placed halfway up the steps of the sea dyke, between the land and the sea, to represent the 32 dead from the area. It appeared to be made out of anchors and other sea-fairing items. I am unsure though if they are reclaimed items or if the artists constructed the monument anew. But it is a very thought provoking work, never the less. It was a lovely area, very peaceful but very hot though and the sea was way, way out, so too hot really to wander down to the beach, and relaxing shade was gratefully sought.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wierum

12TH JUNE:  DAY TWENTYEIGHT: So a very fond farewell to these wonderful places of Craft significance, the churches, the cathedrals, the sacred sites, the oceans and rivers, the beautiful scenery and the memories to cherish that will take us forward into the next exciting chapter….

To put things into perspective Karl’s videos are always very interesting and enlightening:

Karl’s video for a very interesting ’round up’ of this quest

Karl’s final Quest 37 ’round up’ – a ‘must’ to watch!