debris4spike: (Default)
Yes - that's a real problem. Luckily I am not truly ill, but working afternoons & evenings means I am very tired ... so end up sleeping late most mornings.

Thus I have not been able to pop in and catch up with you all.

I worked yesterday, Good Friday ... not really a shift I wanted to do, but there was no one else ... so in the end worked. It went fairly smoothly, overall, and was amazingly un-busy.

Day off today - I went into Exeter this morning in the hope of doing one of the city walks, but I was the only one there, so it didn't go. Instead I popped into the Cathedral for a bit of a stroll ... and then did some shopping before heading back home in time for a late lunch. I will admit I caught the bus on both trips, as it's very cold here, which is not great for the asthma (see I do think ahead some times!!)

Anway, here are a few photos of the inside of the Cathedral - One special thing about this building is that it has the longest continuous medieval stone vault in the world. As there is no central tower, the vault can run all the way from the west wall of the nave to the Great East Window at the far end of the quire, a distance of approximately 96m (315ft).
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Hugh Courtney - 2nd Earl of Devon and his wife, 14th Century (3)

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It was nice to see an Easter garden



Well I really need to try and catch up witj comments, and what you have all been up to, as well.

I truly won't be around tomorrow, being a Sunday, so, I do want to wish you a

VERY HAPPY
EASTER


HALLELUJAH - JESUS IS ALIVE



So, here are the questions to catch back up to date ...


15. Have you a good sense of direction, or do you rely on maps/online navigation? When was the last time you got lost?
I prefer a map if I can ... that way I always feel more positive that I know where I am!

16. Today, in 1850, the French artist Madame Tussaud died. She is known for her wax sculptures of famous figures and for founding Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London. Have you ever visited the London Wax Museum or any other wax museum worldwide? What did you think of the likenesses of the models?
I have been to London Madam Tussauds a couple of times.
However what I do like is when I am in a museum showng a period of history, the last one was a couple of years ago in The Netherlands where they had some amazing scenes of life during the German occupation of WWII, and of the invasion by the Allies. It really brings history alive.

17. It’s International Bat Appreciation Day – are there bats where you live? Have you ever seen one flying?
The Catacombs in Exeter are meant to have bats, but didn't see any when we visited.
I don't think I have ever seen one.

18. It’s International Jugglers Day! Have you ever tried to juggle?
No

19. It’s National Garlic Day – are you a fan?
Not all that much - OK if it's just a small amount added, but not something like garlic bread

20. Do you have a doorbell, a door knocker, or some other device that alerts you to people at the entrance to your home?
Doorbell



Wishing you all a very special Easter
x
debris4spike: (Default)
As I said, yesterday I walked into the city and had a walk around the Cathedral. I am lucky that I get in free as I live in the city ... and however mny times I have visited, there is always something new to spot.

The Cathedral was finishd by 1400 (except for the section that had to be re-built after a German air-raid during WWII.


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Exeter Cathedral has the longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling in the world, at about 96 m
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The minstrels' gallery in the nave dates to around 1360 and is unique in English cathedrals.
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The Font - added in Victorian times ... 2 close-up sections below
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13th Century Misericord (1)
One of the fifty misericords are the earliest complete set in the United Kingdom ... the elephant was carved years before the first elephant came to England.
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WWI (2)
WWI memorial for the Devonshire Regt
debris4spike: (Default)
We again started off at the cathedral ... and there were a few more things I discovered.

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Hard to see in this image, but the cathedral was designed that no 2 windows were alike ... all beautiful, but all different.
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The north door, which until WWI did not have statues.  The Bishop at the time had 3 soms who served in France, and returned home, so he paid for the statues as a thanks to God.  The are the patron saints of the allies (although ironically 2 of them were enemies during WWII)Expandand here are some more facts about the Cathedral )

One of the other Churches we went to was St Olave's, which was founded in 1053 by the mother of King Harold II
St Olaves Church (1) Expandand inside )

We were shown where a lot of cemeteries were in the city and reminded that there are still literally thousands of bodies under our feet. However our final stop was at the Catacombs, built in Victorian times but very under-utilised due to the costs involved.
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This is in the location of the alter of the first Cathedral  ... a parish Church was built on the location but removed last century as they aimed to build a car-park, although were unable to do it due to the graves & the archeology (there are Roman Baths here).  This is in front of the Cathedral.
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debris4spike: (Default)
On day 2 we went to the city of Ely ... and it was time spent in the beautiful cathedral, as well as some time in the charity shops (yes, I bought a couple of jigsaws!)


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ExpandAnd let's walk inside )
debris4spike: (Default)
Yes ... I travelled as far as Mars!

Actually I walked into the city and went to see the Mars: War and Peace ... I have been to see both the Moon & the Earth, so nice to see the red planet. Didn't spot any little green men, but maybe they all went into hiding while the scanning was done.

So, more than a usual number of photos ....

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After I had walked round and looked at the Cathedral in general, I walked down to the other end of the High Street to get my hair cut ... and so catch the bus home.

Now I have had lunch and am sorting things out here ... I want to get some more cleaning done this afternoon if I can, so I can have a lazy Saturday (well, that's the plan ... although I need to get some shopping done as well)

But, before I get on -



2. It's Groundhog Day - have you seen the Bill Murray movie?
For the last 58 years it has been my brother's birthday! I remember the night Nick was born really clearly.
So Groundhog Day is #2 in my thoughts ... but, yes, I have seen the film




Right, let's get on
debris4spike: (Default)
On Saturday morning I walked into the city and went to these 3 Churches.

The first set of photos are from St Anne's Cathedral ... it is of the Church of Ireland. This building was built around a previous building to make it bigger. It never had the steeple added, but then this century it was decided the foundations would not cope, so the simple "Spire of Hope" was added

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WWI book of remembrance (2)


I also visited St George's Church
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This chair was sat on by King William III at a service pre The Battle of The Boyne
King William III Chair


And the final stop was at First Presbyterian Church, the oldest church existing in Belfast, finished in 1781
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Sorry - lots of photos ... I won't post as many, next time.

Winchester Cathedral

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 11:49 am
debris4spike: (Default)
As I said last month I stopped in Winchester on the way to Richard's funeral, and posted a couple of city photos already here but these are of the cathedral ... I had trouble deciding on which to post as it's a lovely building.

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Part of the ceiling
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A modern side chapel
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Part of the High Alter
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Holy Sepulchre Chapel complete with 12th century paintings
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Jane Austen's grave
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Site of St Swithun's Srine ... Bishop of Winchester 852 - 862.  When they moved his grave, this is what started the legend of St Swithen's Day
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The crypt, that as you can see, still floods
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debris4spike: (Default)
As many of you know I remember the first landing on the moon (I was 8), so loved the film Moonshot (pointing to icon)

As I told you, I went to the Cathedral last Thursday - well they have an exhibition there this month, called Museum of the Moon. It was stunning, hard to capture it on camera, but I tried.

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debris4spike: (Default)
I actually set my alarm to it's normal time as I had arranged to meet Christine in Exeter - so I walked into the city and met her off her bus at the bus station.

We then walked to the cathedral, which was part of her reason for coming in ... it's free for non-residents to visit this week.  So, as ever, I had a great walk round, and saw of the beautiful things that the Cathedral is filled with ... and even saw some things I had never noticed before ... here are a few pictures

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A miserichord - carved 100 years before the first elephant arrived in England
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On the 2 earl of Devon's grave ... his countess was of Royal blood, thus the swans at her feet

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One of the roof bosses
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The nativity set will be left out until Candlemass (2/2)


From there we walked to the museum and had a wander round there, as you can see ...
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After our sightseeing we caught a bus to the outskirts of the city as friends of hers had suggested we meet up for lunch.  I hadn't met them before but have heard a lot about them ... so a steak dinner (& icecream) later I certainly was pleased we had met up ... especially as they insisted on paying!

Now back hoome and editing the photos, and now waiting for them to upload so I can post them.  While that is happeneing I have a couple of pressies to wrap, and a couple of letters to write so I can post them.

My Actual 60th

Monday, July 5th, 2021 05:15 pm
debris4spike: (Default)
On my actual 60th about 10 days ago now, I had plans for mid afternoon onwards ... but nothing before that. So I decided to walk into Exeter, had a MacD's (my first in ages!), and then walked round the museum, and spent some time in the Cathedral.

The Royal Albert Museum is a confused place ... lots of exhibits, but some very unusual groupings. With Covid there is a one way system ... but I still managed to get lost!

I do love the Cathedral ... starated in 1107, and finished by 1400 (and survived the bombings of WWII). It is a stunning building with the longest uninterrupted medieval vaulted ceiling in the world, at about 96 m (315 ft).[5]



The Royal Albert Museum ... Prince Albert, in the main hall
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See what I mean about random collections -
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Those hands are huge -
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Made for the museum -
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Love this glass jug, made in AD 100  (Exeter was under Roman occupation)
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The Cathedral -
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The 18-metre-high (59 ft) bishop's throne in the choir was made from Devon oak between 1312 and 1316;
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The long nave -
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The minstrels' gallery in the nave dates to around 1360 and is unique in English cathedrals
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Exeter Cathedral

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 06:04 pm
debris4spike: (Closer to God)
Last Monday I had the day off work to meet up with Claire (and Tim, for lunch). We had a lovely afternoon, sitting in the sunshine and chatting.

However I went into the city early, and spent 1/2 hour in the cathedral - a truly stunning building. Exeter Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter, is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon, in South West England. The present building was started in 1112, and complete by about 1400, and has several notable features, including the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England.


ExpandA walk through time )
debris4spike: (James - totally fascinated)
Well I think the hard thing has been to just pick a few photos to give you an idea of what the city of Prague looks like ... As you can imagine, I took loads more, but here are just a few for you to peap at .... enjoy

ExpandEnjoying a stroll around The Czech Republic )


ExpandSt Vitus Cathedral, Prague )

Wells Cathedral

Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 05:44 pm
debris4spike: (Just Believe - Josph from V)
As I said when I posted over the weekend, Christine and I went to Wells for the day.  Wells is the smallest English city, with a stunning Cathedral ...

The present cathedral was begun about 1175 on a new site to the north of the old minster church. Bishop Reginald de Bohun brought the idea of a revolutionary architectural style from France, and Wells was the first English cathedral to be built entirely in this new Gothic style. The first building phase took about eighty years, building from east to west, culminating in the magnificent West Front. About 300 of its original medieval statues remain

By 1313 a high tower topped by a lead covered wooden spire had been constructed but as the foundations were not stable large cracks began to appear in the tower structure. In fear of a total collapse, several attempts at internal strengthening and buttressing were made, until the famous ‘scissor arches’ were put in place by master mason William Joy as a final solution. The scissor arches, which often visitors believe to be later, modern additions were constructed from 1338-48 as an engineering solution to a very real problem.

As ever it is hard to capture this building, but I had a go. There was a rehearsal for a choir concert that evening, so it was lovely to have a musical accompaniment.

ExpandWells Cathedral )

Salisbury Cathedral

Thursday, August 24th, 2017 07:53 pm
debris4spike: (Amen!)
I promised you these photos a few days back, and here are the images of the Cathedral ... a superb cathedral, with some long history.

The first Salisbury Cathedral was completed at Old Sarum in 1092 under Osmund, the first Bishop of Salisbury. The Domesday Book is thought to have been presented to William the Conqueror at Old Sarum a few years earlier, in 1086. Disputes with the military and scarce water supplies led to an alternative location being sought and in 1220 a new site for the Cathedral was consecrated at New Sarum.

The foundation stones were laid on 28th April 1220. The first part to be completed was the three eastern chapels named for St Stephen, Trinity, and St Peter. The building of the new cathedral was greatly helped by the energy of the bishop and the patronage of powerful people, including King Henry III, who donated trees from Ireland and estates in Wiltshire for the roof timbers, doors, etc., and Alice Brewer, who gave marble for 12 years from her Purbeck quarry, which provided capitals, shafts, columns and bases inside, and some shafts outside. The Bishop, Dean, and 52 Canons also each made substantial donations from income derived from their estates, or prebends.

The main body of the cathedral was finished by the consecration on 29 September 1258. But the whole project also included the West Front, the Cloisters, the Chapter House, and the (now demolished) detached Bell Tower, which stood between the High Street Gate and the Cathedral. All of these were probably completed by 1266.

Even more spectacularly, the Cathedral was enlarged upwards between 1300 and 1320, by the incomparable tower and spire. This development was not unique to Salisbury – the cathedrals in London (old St Paul’s) and Lincoln both had taller spires, if only of timber and lead – but this one has proved the longest-lived, and since the late 16th century has been the tallest in England, standing at 404 ft/123m. It seems likely the spire was severely damaged within a few years of completion, and so needed repairs for which the still-existing internal scaffolding was built.

ExpandAnd, here is what it looks like in the 21st century )
debris4spike: (Boo)
Yay - back to my own Friday Photo challenge. Jiffy and I had a bit of a late start, so once we were organised we went on the bus into the city centre. I needed to go to the bank, but Jiffy loves a bus trip, with a wander round the city.

We walked along by the side of the city wall - I love how the light shines in those first pictures.

ExpandExeter City Walls )


We also stopped and looked at 3 of the Rhinos on the Great Big Rhino Trail ... this is through South Devon. So thought I would share these. They are going to be auctioned off soon to raise money for the endangered species.

ExpandWatch out for the rhinos )

Then finally Jiffy and I donated £1 each to help with the refurbishment of Exeter Cathedral, by buying 2 Lego blocks.

ExpandFundraising for the Cathedral )

Hope you enjoyed this glimpse of Exeter
debris4spike: (James - pointing finger)
Exeter Cathedral is a stunning building that was completed by about 1400 (having been started in 1133), and has several notable features, including an early set of misericords, an astronomical clock and the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England.

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However Jiffy is not allowed inside, so we walk around the outside. I suddenly realized that I had never actually looked at what the images look like ... so I looked, and here are a few images to show you what I mean ...

ExpandStonemasons are amazing )

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