England

Six word Saturday

Looking through the window of love

There’s something very special about stained glass. Whether you are a reverent person or simply one who loves beauty, it can’t fail to move you. I could not visit Bristol without a return to the lovely cathedral, where you can get up really close to the windows in the cloisters. The details and expressions are wonderful.

If you are wondering about my six words this week, I have a confession to make. (since I’m in the right setting) I had Alf Moyet in my head when I conceived them, but when I checked the lyrics… well, I often seem to make up my own. Blame a faulty memory.

Hopefully I gave you a Saturday smile, Debbie, and I expect Dawn wouldn’t mind a few more windows to linger by. Happy weekend, all!

Speak to me of Spring

Bristol’s incredible Floating Harbour has many faces. Just downstream from Bristol Bridge lie Castle Park and the haunting ruins of St. Peter’s Church. On the night of 24th November, 1940, this area was almost completely destroyed in the first major bombing raid on Bristol of the Second World War. These days it’s a place for strolling and letting your cares drift away.

The church is no longer accessible to the public, but I was delighted to find, wrapped around it, a tiny physics garden. Magnolia, fraying tulips and iris, all vernal creations if ever I saw one.

I often manage to link to Paula because Thursday’s Special, isn’t it? Her version of Spring is exquisite. But I’m very mean with Ailsa. Let her take you for a walk in the Garden this week.

Jo’s Monday walk : Bristol Blues!

The last time I was in Bristol was to see the highly spectacular Balloon Festival. It had been my first visit to the city and I was quite keen to take an introductory walking tour. Due to the volume of people in Bristol for the festival, in glorious August weather, the tour had been cancelled. Little did I know then that I would have another opportunity. But this time was very different. The sky was an unrelenting grey, rather matching my disconsolate mood, and my weekend seemed to be unravelling around me.

You see, I had made a surprise visit for an 80th birthday party. I flew into Bristol at 8 in the morning, and had the whole day ahead of me. I had planned to spend it with my lovely friend, Gilly. Not only was Gilly sadly unable to meet me, but I had neglected to bring with me a vital contact number. I had no means of getting to the party.

Leaving Bristol bus station, I wandered into the city, trying to formulate a plan. As so often, my camera came to my rescue and I started to observe my surroundings. Bristol is well known as the birth place of Banksy and the wave of street art that took Bristol by storm in the 1980s.

I’m always ambivalent about street art. Some, I hate. Some, I love. In this case it was a welcome distraction, highlighting good and bad in the city. I especially felt for the semi-derelict St. John on the Wall church, on Broad Street. Posters on the rusted grills covering the windows advertised for volunteers to enable the church to continue to be opened to visitors. 600 years of history hidden from view.

I was hopeful that the Tourist Information office might come to my rescue. The battery on my ancient cell phone was fading fast and I needed somewhere that I might connect to the Internet. The phone number I needed was on Messenger. At 9.30 on a Saturday morning the TI was still closed, but I had a map from my previous trip. The Central Library appeared to be just behind the Watershed, where I now stood. A spark of hope propelled me in that direction.

The sky maintained a dreary grey as I bypassed Millennium Square with its lofty wheel. Bristol Science Centre held promise of an interesting haven from the cold, which I might need later. Crossing over the road I headed uphill towards the Cathedral spires. The Abbey Gatehouse provided a welcoming entrance to the Cathedral grounds and the adjoining library.

10am was opening time for the library. I turned my gaze upon the grand countenance of the City Hall buildings on College Green.

City Hall is a grade II listed building, the seat of local government in Bristol since 1956. I had paid it scant attention on my last visit, when rain had driven me to the bosom of the Cathedral. I still had time in hand for a swift return to the lovely cloisters.

At 10 o’ clock precisely, the doors to the Central Library admitted me. I was totally astounded at what I found inside.

Opened in 1906, the grade 1 listed Central Library was built on land adjacent to the gatehouse of St. Augustine’s Abbey, or Bristol Cathedral. Charles Holden, the architect, has created an Edwardian building that filled me with reverence. Quietly I mounted the sweeping stairs, from the marbled entrance to the reference library. Chandeliers dangled from the vaulted glass ceiling, between 2 tiers of galleries crammed with books. The history of Bristol was all around me.

To my enormous relief, there was an alcove where I could plug in my phone, and in a little while had found the number I needed. There was a temptation to stay cocooned in the library, but it was time to set forth. I had thought I might visit the botanic gardens at the University of Bristol, but the weather was still unsettled. The TI was now open, of course, and there were leaflets outside proposing a number of walks. Banksy perhaps? Just as I was contemplating coffee, I realised that the 11 o’clock walk that I had missed on my previous visit was all set to go. It was meant to be…

The funny thing was that my historic walking tour retraced many of my steps. Back to Millennium Square, where we discussed Bristol and shipping, overlooked by the globe-shaped Planetarium. Up to the Cathedral and College Green, this time with highly informative Ken, who covered the slave trade, imports of tea and Fry’s Chocolate factory. Dates were affixed to the many beautiful architectural details. While I very much enjoyed having company, one thing of significance did happen. I had seen an illustration of a Banksy entitled ‘Well Hung Lover’, about which I was curious, but had no idea where to find it. Would you believe that it was barely two steps from where I had been previously, that morning?

At the junction of College Green with Park Street. You might have noticed that a watery sunshine was beginning to brighten the skies, and my spirits lifted like the prancing unicorn on the top of City Hall.

The tour continued past the huge old warehouses where Bristol Sherry used to be stored, down to St. Augustine’s Parade and the art deco Hippodrome Theatre, beloved of Cary Grant. Back to the Floating Harbour and the incredible story of how the river was diverted to ensure that Bristol’s life force, trade and shipping, could continue to prosper.

Huge Queen Square next, and it’s grand Georgian houses. The Bristol Riots took place here in 1831 and almost 100 of the buildings were burned to the ground. They’re a feisty lot, Bristolians. As we looked towards the Bristol Old Vic theatre, currently undergoing renovation, a tribe of Norsemen and their ladies stomped past.

Past the Welsh Backs, and a wonderful jazz pub, ‘The Old Duke’, honky tonk music tripping off the keys. Our tour ended at St. Nicholas Market, where you can purchase almost anything your heart desires in the lovely old Exchange building, or outside on the busy street.

It was definitely time to take the weight off my feet and I found the perfect venue, The Cosy Club. Yet another grade II listed building, and a former bank, the ceilings romped with art and the music had my toes tapping. A comfortable banquette was my resting place for the next couple of hours. And then it was time to head for the party!

I hope you enjoyed my wanderings in Bristol. So did I, after a bad start. If you saw my Six word Saturday you’ll know how the party went.

Definitely time for a cuppa, isn’t it? I have some wonderful walks to share with you, again. Many thanks to all of you who take part, and to you comfy armchair types too. If you’d like to join me, details are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. I’d love it if you could.

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What a privilege to be joined by Tish AND a gardening legend from our past!

Tulips’ Last Hurrah And A Gardening Legend

And if anyone can put a beautiful post together, it’s Debbie :

A Flowering Island

Wander back in time with Drake :

Historical flashback

Nice to see old traditions still observed, but with a modern twist. Thanks, Lady Lee!

Maypole- raising

What’s Jackie up to this week?

Day 5- So Cal- Solvang

And where would we be without Woolly? Still serious this week :

Jo’s-Monday-Walk-Wk18-Anzac-Day-2

Enjoy the gentlest of ‘potter arounds’, with Susan :

Walking Small

And a sequence of reminiscences and beautiful wistfulness, with Meg :

One tree beach

Eurobodalla beaches : One Tree Beach (the north end)

Delighted to be tiptoeing through the bluebells with Elaine. Today I’ll be bluebell-ing in Durham, weather permitting :

Bluebell time

While Eunice shows us England’s green and pleasant land in all its beauty :

A woodland walk

My lovely friend, Cathy, is walking marathons around Japan, making the most of her time there :

From Tokyo station to the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens, topped off by a beer garden in Hibiya

That’s all for now, folks! Hopefully I’m off to count bluebells this morning. Have yourselves a great week!

Six word Saturday

A tale of two birthday cakes!

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In case you wondered just where I was flying off to last week, I can now reveal all. It was to a surprise birthday party. My friend of many years, Joan, had no idea that a party was planned, and even less that I would be there. I almost didn’t make it because I forgot to take her daughter’s phone number with me. I couldn’t phone Joan, and spoil the surprise, and I had no idea how to find the house. Thoughts of wandering around the outskirts of Bristol, asking ‘does anyone know Belinda…?’ Fortunately resourcefulness won and I ended up in Bristol’s very beautiful Central Library, accessing the Internet. For once, technology was my friend.

After all that, some celebrating was called for, and celebrate we did. A party last Saturday evening, and a family affair on Monday, which was Joan’s actual birthday. Two cakes! I think you’ll agree, it was a Momentous occasion? And one I simply had to share with you, in just a few more than Six Words. Thank you Paula, and Debbie, for being such lovely hostesses and providing the stage, and thanks also to Joan and her family, for being the stars of the show. Happy Saturday, everyone!

Confined

Paula’s Thursday’s Special is full of wonderful images this week. Life around here has been exceptionally busy and, scrolling back through myriads of photos, I chanced upon the above. To me, it says ‘confined’, within those windows. How about you? I’d better explain that I was at the Sage, Gateshead, attending a song and dance show entitled ‘Remembering Fred’. Astaire and Rogers always put a twinkle in my eye. Quite a few people were confined, very happily, in the theatre that night, along with reflections of the Millennium and Tyne bridges.

I think this is a good fit for Dawn’s Lingering Look at Windows too. I’m hoping Paula won’t mind.

Six word Saturday

Flying south again- but not Algarve!

The Brecon Beacons, in case you wondered, but it’s not really a clue. An unexpected invitation has me up, up and away, dizzy in the clouds, this weekend. All will be revealed later. I’m sorry, Debbie, but I won’t be able to link to your six words because I’ve scheduled this, and my Monday walk. There’s no excuse for not getting out and about on a Bank Holiday, is there? I just need to say that, for anyone thinking of linking a walk to me, if I don’t already have it then I’ll have to save it for the following week. Us busy people, you know! Humble apologies!

This is the new bridge into Liverpool. Looks good, doesn’t it? Maybe it will be finished next time I fly that way. Have a great weekend, all!

Six word Saturday

Putting on a show, at Harrogate

All my old favourites, and some new folks too, all in impeccable condition. That’s what I expect of a flower show, and Harrogate delivered.

And more than that, a fashion show. The floral art had a sewing theme. Simply stunning, don’t you think?

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There was so much more, but that’s quite enough for a Six Word Saturday. I think it might do to celebrate Earth Day too. Have a beautiful weekend, and look after your patch of earth!

A glass menagerie

What can I tell you?

Whisper it very softly

Watch her like a hawk!

She doesn’t mean any harm

Don’t cry fish! It’s not so bad.

I always find fascination in the National Glass Centre at Sunderland. Sometimes I can find Juxtaposition too. But today I wanted something to please my Lazy Poet friend, Gilly. She’s been sad lately.

Focus on Fountain’s Abbey

I very often lack focus and tend to meander through my life. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, in Yorkshire, were a case in point. Looking for somewhere to admire snowdrops, I ventured there last week. I wasn’t disappointed. Swathes of them nestled beneath the trees. I captured one or two shots, but I was soon drawn into the magnificence of the water gardens.

It was a gloomy old day and I stopped to read the cheerful sign inside the fishing tabernacles. They are part of the balustrade and cascade into the lake and date back to 1719. Probably designed as a base for fishing excursions, they cleverly concealed the sluices used to drain the canal quickly in time of flooding.

The water gardens must be one of the finest sights in England, and neither I nor the swans allowed ourselves to be depressed by the weather, while the pheasants seemed positively immune. Not well focused though!

It wasn’t long before I was ambling among the ruins of the Abbey, smitten by the hues in the aged stones. Snowdrops there were aplenty but I’m afraid that they played second fiddle.

Fountains Abbey, 3 miles south west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, is one of the largest and best preserved Cistercian monasteries in England. Founded in 1132, it had an active life until 1539, when Henry VIII ordered the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

A full history can be found here. Today the Abbey and Water Gardens are successfully managed by the National Trust and they have some delightfully focused snowdrops on their site.

Paula focused on black and white photography in her Traces of the Past on Sunday. It’s not my forte, so I’m compromising. But I would love to draw your attention to her very beautiful Focus in Thursday’s Special.

Jo’s Monday walk : Spring at Crook Hall, Durham

Stroll along the river bank with me, in the heart of Durham City, and let me take you to an idyllic garden. I intended to visit a new exhibition at Durham Cathedral but, as luck would have it, it was closed that day. I’m a firm believer in serendipity and, as the gentle sunshine warmed my cheeks, I suddenly knew where I wanted to go.

Crook Hall dates from 13th century and is a vision in golden ivy-clad stone. It sits back a little from the footpath and the gently elevated position makes for majestic views over Durham. Crook is a Grade 1 listed Medieval hall with a rich and colourful history. As all such places should, it has a resident ghost, ‘The White Lady’, and has been enjoyed by such luminaries as William Wordsworth and John Ruskin. Today I’m going to focus on the garden rooms, described on the website as each having their own personality.

It’s impossible to ignore the constant presence of the house. It provides a benign backdrop, yet with an almost tangible air of mystery.

Close by the house, a secret garden has been in existence for more than 700 years.

Statuary is an integral part of the gardens. Nymphs and maidens shake out their tresses, demurely lower their eyes, or gaze seductively out. Monks perform solemn duties, urns cast playful shadows and a rather mischievous Puck plays his pan pipes, sheltered beneath a weathered tree.

The golden lady follows me with her eyes, and what of the lady reclining, neglected, on the bare earth? She must have a story to tell. Ornate chairs and benches invite me to linger, admiring the pure white snowdrops. Beyond the lake, fiery witch hazel brands the limpid blue sky.

I drift from ‘room to room’, each leading to the next, yet independent and sufficient in itself. A mighty lion bench, breathing fire, gives me pause.

Through a gate, precisely trimmed hedges in the newest of these still evolving gardens, etched with remnants of winter shadows.

Leaving the house behind, I wander down towards the rusty maze, bereft of leaves this early in the year. Did you glimpse the koala, dangling in the tree? And yet another selfie! One more surprise awaits- a softly slumbering giant!

And then I’m back at the entrance and The Garden Gate Cafe. (open all day, separately from the Hall, but there are Tea Rooms inside the Hall too) The Sparkling Afternoon Tea looked very inviting but my lift had arrived and so I’ll have to disappoint you yet again. No cake! How come you missed this place, Jude? It would have been a natural for the Garden Challenge.

Down at the river bank, this scene awaits, but if you turn and walk back towards the cathedral you might just be able to catch the exhibition, Open Treasure. And if not, Durham Cathedral is always beautiful.

Lots of walks to share this week and I hope you can spare time to visit as many as you can. Especially as I won’t be posting a walk next week. I will, I hope, be skip, hop and jumping (or walking) in Florence. I don’t want to schedule a walk in my absence because it’s too hard to catch up again afterwards. So I hope you’ll forgive me if I hang on to any walks you share till the following week? Details are all on my Jo’s Monday walk page.

Eddy was close in my footsteps last week, but his were even cooler!

Do you want owt fromt’ shops?

There’s nothing nicer than a gentle stroll with Jude. Treat yourself!

Historic Uphill Lincoln

Anabel ventured further up the coast from me, in some delightful villages :

Fife Coastal Path

Another coastal path for you, but Eunice is over on the other coast :

Anglesey Coastal Path- the White Arch and Tyger’s memorial

Two for the price of one from Eunice this week!

A long canal walk

Imagine my surprise on seeing Ana’s post! Right on my very own doorstep :

Strolling along the River Wear in Durham