Arrived in York after a relatively trouble free run. We are as near to the centre as it is possible to get. York was founded by the Romans in 71AD. They couldn't pronounce York so settled on Eboracum. After they left in 415AD the Angles took over and renamed it Eoforwic, they obviously had a similar problem to the Romans. York is a derivation of the Norse Jorvik, the Vikings happened along in 866, no doubt resplendent in horned hats and conquered the place.
Had a quick look round yesterday and it's some town. A walled city with much of the wall remaining and more medieval buildings than you can shake a stick at.
It is also the birth place of Guy Fawkes. Could do with him today, he'd shake that gang of crooks in Westminster up, even if he did fail.
This is the site of the old Rowntrees chocolate factory. We are on the banks of the river Ouse, the smaller river coming in from the right is the Foss.
Now I have something of a problem, far from struggling for enough for a post I'm up to my eyes in images. I've made an editorial decision. Assuming the weather doesn't become impossible I will post images whilst I am here but they won't necessarily be images from any given day.
York Castle...........The children have obviously been sledging. Wandering on we came across this magnificent building.
Now a branch of Barclays Bank but a superb example of the masons and bricklayers art. Here are a couple of details.
I love this architecture, I assume it must date back to the days of the wool trade.
On we plodded, slipping and sliding, at least I was. Molly has no such problems being blessed with four legged drive. Her only concern was not to miss any dropped pizza crust or chips. Eventually we arrived at the Minster which puts the above edifice to shame.
The limitations of the DSLR. There is no way to get far enough back. so a 12mm lens produces one hell of a lot of distortion. I have corrected as best I can. The images of the Minster are all HDR. The famous East facade is covered in scaffold so no views of the biggest and bestest window in the UK.
It's some building, massive but so ornate and well proportioned it leaves me gasping. To do it justice I suspect a medium format camera with a tilt and shift lens is required. No real problem with the camera but £5k for a digital back is well beyond me. Cheaper that you come and look for yourselves.
I'm not a big town fan, but as the books say get out of ones comfort zone and there's fun to be had................For me if not for you my long suffering readers!
Lovely to see these photos Adrian. Lived very close to Rowntree park for several years and before the millenium bridge was built I walked alongside the park every day to get to the University.
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend a trip to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserve at Askham Bog on the outskirts of York if you get a chance (http://www.ywt.org.uk/askham_bog.php has directions to the car park - go through the little gate and follow the golf course round to the left - I couldn't find the way in the first time I went!) If you go when it's quiet (which it's bound to be in this weather) you can often surprise foxes and roe deer and we were lucky enough to see a water vole once.
Thanks Helen, I'll have a look at the Askam Bog. Will try and spend a couple more days here as devoid of people it is concentrated architectural heaven.
ReplyDeleteAs in Derbyshire the water vole have mostly been devoured by mink.
Hope you get a chance to visit the (free) National Railway Museum Adrian - some magnificent examples of engineering and also a very decent cafe on one of the platforms (or at least it was last time we were there, in the summer).
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the minster Adrian. That is the problem with virtually, if not all, historic buildings - they are boxed in and you just can't get a decent distance away.
ReplyDeleteI keep meaning to go back there one day as the only times I have been I have been keeping a sharp eye on 30+ other peoples little darlings. Ah, the joys of school educational outings.
Eboracum, a loveable place. I was born in Corinium close to Glevum, I don't remember it.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures of buildings, is quite awesome, it is beautiful.
Great stuff Adrian. I have been to York on a few occasions but have never really had a good wander around..the same also applies to Bath.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs and we can all only use what we have got (pity I know) but you are doing a grand job.
Now that's a place I need to visit.
ReplyDeleteThat Barclays building is a treat; and then comes the Minster. Magnificent. Just can't imagine the work that went into it.
Superbly captured Adrian.
Hi Adrian. I'm not a town fan either, but I do like old architecture. Can't stand all the modern stuff. Nice pictures. Very interesting. Molly, having short legs is lucky. My Hesper is gangley legged and very CLUMSY - the ice is a nightmare for her, as is the kitchen floor with wet paws! Take good care. I'm so envious!
ReplyDeletePhil, it's on the list, so much stuff in York.
ReplyDeleteJohn, it's well worth a visit, it being so compact helps.
Bob, thanks it is, awesome is the word.
Trevor, just annoying when sometimes one knows the solution but can't implement it. Still a grand place.
Keith, the minster is one of the rare buildings that just seems right.
Angie, Molly is lucky till the snow gets a foot deep, then unless it crusts over shes had it after a mile.
glad to see Helen recommended Askham Bog - but watch yourself in the snow - we don't want you disappearing in a hidden hole!
ReplyDeleteThe Bank may well have been built as a bank. I found out recently that one of the reasons banks were often in such massive imposing buildings was to give the depositors a sense of the security of the organisation in which they were investing. Presumably most now operate out of wooden sheds!
John, tents would be a struggle for them were it not for us. Or Gordon being generous with our money. Hardly any snow here and it's fast disappearing in the rain. Wouldn't be the first time I've been in a bog, daydreaming I suspect is the cause.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Adrian these are beautiful. The architecture defies adjectives and you've captured it all very well.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go there for a photo trip sometime... perhaps when it's not snowy though! ;o)
Penny problem is be most likely raining and if it isn't then knee deep in tourist buses and folk. It is wonderful but you can't get far enough away these were shot at 12mm (24mm converted to 35mm format). Whooo! what £30k of Hasselblad could produce with tilt and shift. I've spent most of my life in the UK not sixty miles away and this building really got to me. It's said Cologne Cathedral in Germany is the next best thing. Bugger Mexico get over here!
ReplyDeleteI love the York photos! The brick details on that building were amazing. And how amazing would it be to sled down the hill from castle walls!
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