THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS (11/04/11)

Nothing about this morning, not that I hung around for too long it was damp and cool. I then hitched a ride into Haltwhistle to have a good go at the church. I’m glad I did. It is better than I at first thought.

It was also locked but not for long a most obliging lady appeared and unlocked it. I have no idea how she knew I was there but the Lord works in mysterious ways. To my advantage for once.

  All images are shot manual everything today, cable release, tripod the works. Exposures vary from three to six per image shot with a two stop difference then they were tone mapped in Photomatix, with contrast and sharpening done in Photoshop Elements.

Both these were taken with a prime 8mm f1.3.5 wide angle lens. I purchased this second hand and am delighted with it………..even happier as it was half price. Just before Christmas I sold half a dozen lenses and upgraded to this one and a new Sigma Macro lens. I’ve not really got my head round the latter but will take it for a stroll tomorrow.

  A small corner with prayer candles, British Legion standards, they must be standards they are too elaborate to be flags or bunting.  The wreath of poppies is in remembrance of fallen soldiers.

These will all enlarge and display some lovely detail.

   This not a separate chapel but the side alter.

    A non fisheye view of the main church and the west window.

   The east window……..yes there is an organ……..it’s the big box on the left……it’s not a pipe organ but and electronic one so of little interest to me.

This is the tomb stone of John Riddley who died in1562. His brother was burnt at the stake with Lattimer. Heretics! I’m glad we’ve moved on a bit of a barbarous thing for one Christian to do to another. Worse than feeding them to Lions………….silly me, they didn’t have any Lions. This is almost indecipherable close up. The wee plaque on the right deciphers it but I was non the wiser reading that.

The carved marble reredos depicting the nativity. The frieze either side is also marble as are the wall tiles. Where it came from I can’t tell you but there is no local marble.

I’ll save my favourite till last a superb painted ceiling.  This is the result of over thirty shots and six attempts. Still I have only half a ceiling and I still have lens flair. I’m glad I have a flair for something.

I’m happy with these which is a first for me. Plenty of room for improvement but a good hit rate with very little in the bin.

It’s now time to polish the van……..we have a famous visitor next week. More on that next week……….No it isn’t Uma Thurman. Did I say clean the van?…………I’ve another job to do first I’ve got a crossword and a couple of Sudukos. That’s three jobs, four with dog walking and five with cooking supper.