Sheffield Cathedral ... Again

Out and about with the camera again ... HDRs seem to do the place justice.

Sheffield Cathedral ... Out Of The Rain

I wanted to test a new camera (Sony A65V) so took shelter in the cathedral between showers. This is a HDR image I made after getting home. The original bracket of images were take "hand held". The verdict ... I'll keep the camera.

Not Singing In The Rain

Another day another downpour. What has happened to the summer? Thank G for a large, stout umbrella, gum boots, North Face wet gear and webbed-feet attachments and the emergency water-wings. No wonder we Poms have skin that looks like rain washed ivory. No wonder, at the slightest hit of Sol raising a smile, we strip in anticipation of  a lobsterine tan. As you can guess we are going a bit stir-crazy at the moment ... thank G, again, for "other interests" which don't require expeditions into the maelstrom.

Out And About ... Phew ... TG For Pubs

We've been burning up the roads yet again in search of the Holy Grail; maybe that's taking things too far into the realms of nonsense.

St Peters church at Edensor may be quite modern (mid 1800s) but it has some lovely features which are well worth a visit. Edensor village is sited in Chatsworth Estate and was re-designed in the mid 1800 to create a "model" village to suite the tastes of the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The present church is on the same site as the medieval church. A fabulous early 17C monument to two of  Bess of Hardwick's sons was dismantled and rebuilt in the present church ...

On to Great Longstone where we visited St Giles Church and had an excellent lunch in The White Lion pub. The church has wall dating from the 13C and the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086).

Next day it was Cheadle ... and the Pugin designed RC church of St Giles. Nothing can prepare you for the visual onslaught as you first enter the church. Every mm of the place is decorated! Totally amazing ... if a bit too much. Looking at the frenetic decoration it should be no surprise that Pugin died at the tender age of 39, no doubt worn out by his manic activity and the energy that three wives demanded ...

Lunch was provided in a traditional cafe the building of which was predominantly Elizabethan.

Out And About After Too Much TV

The Olympics are over ... the local athletes seem to have done well ... It's time to get up off the sofa and go abroad ...


Great Hucklow well dressing was the first place we visited ... for the tea and cakes; no need to ask why. We had an informative conversation with one of the matrons from the WI; the village has a remarkable history especially in providing holiday breaks for the less fortunate kids from Manchester and Sheffield. This was started off by Charles Peach and Lawrence Scott. The Unitarian church dates from the latter part of the 17C and is still going strong,

Onward to Taddington and an excellent lunch with probably the best Victoria Sandwich to date. We walked up the hill to a second well dressing which lead to some delightful conversations about life the universe and the price of tea in China; this while looking out over the lovely, sunlit Derbyshire countryside.

A quick half at the local and we sped off to Chrome Hill. Weather wise it seemed unwise to start walking the 10 miles to cover the circuit so we sped on further down a one lane lane ... not really a "road" ... until we came to the A53 at Axe Edge. This is good road to travel if you want to see the wide vistas of the SW part of the Peak District National Park. The road is a Roman Road ...

Turning south we went towards The Roaches where, until 2000, there were several wallabies. Ramshaw Rocks were spectacular enough for us to stop and have a bit of a wander so The Roaches will have wait for another day.

After some excellent back-lane navigation we got back to the cottage having had an great day out and in time for a fine dinner ... Brilopads!

OMG! How Do They Do IT?

Oh Limp Picks? I don't do sport ... err, that's didn't ...

It must be something in the water. We've spent an unbelievable amount of time watching the London Olympic Games. Track, 'bikes, rowing, show jumping, tennis, badminton and especially gymnastics. How on earth can a human do all that twisting, bouncing, swinging, jumping and generally defying gravity? Amazing!

The BBC coverage has been exceptional. Even the commentators make sense ... unbelievable! The BBC web site is first class use of the technology ... totally what the web should be.

What a shock to our systems ... we watched sport ...

Saxon And Norman Splendour

Another lovely summer day.

The small village of Stow-In-Lindsey sites one of the most surprising of the ancient churches in Lincolnshire. St Mary's Minster is a monolithic building which is in magnificent condition. Entering the Saxon doorway into the nave takes you completely by surprise. The interior is massive both in size and structure. The crossing has two sets of Saxon arches of different ages. The Victorian restoration is said to be as near to the original Saxon/Norman design as possible. This is the "mother" church to Lincoln Cathedral.

The Cross Keys Inn was an ideal place to have lunch.

We went on to find St Edith's church in Coates by Stow which has 12C  Norman features - we failed; Coates is for another day ...

Expect The Unexpected

Another sunny day with big skies and vast landscapes.

The village of Spalding promised some interesting architecture. The church of St Mary and St Nicholas turned out to be a gem. It is a huge building and the interior splendidly maintained. Meeting one of the organists was a great stroke of luck. He was a delight to talk to and, to my great surprise, was happy to explain to me the very complex workings of the keyboards, stops and peddles. This took the best part of an hour and the church reverberated and sang as he demonstrated voice after voice. He finished with a resounding Jerusalem - what a fantastic experience!

A cafe in the town square provided a good lunch and coffee served by a woman from Rome - my dreadful Italian took a severe beating ...

The biggest shock was the number of passers-by who spoke Polish ... particularly noticeable among the groups of teenagers ... the UK has the most advantageous state support systems of the EU which could contribute to the situation ... 

Lincoln ... Again

We decided to spend a day in and around Lincoln castle and cathedral.

We started the day with the obligatory visit to a cafe for coffee and cakes - there are several to choose from in the area around Castle Square.

Since the sun had put in an appearance we decided to start with a visit to the castle. Walking the walls gave excellent views across the Trent Valley and the city itself. Sadly some of the parts of the castle were closed for renovation and, I suspect, modern rule dealing with the "safety" of visitors. Two of the towers were closed as was the main part of the Georgian prison.















Next: the cathedral. All the seats had been removed so that we could see the magnificence of the nave. Sun streamed through the stained glass and produced bright cloured patterning on the nave floor. The whole place seemed filled with light so that the cream coloured limestone seemed to glow. We never tire of the place ...

The cathedral cafe provided an adequate lunch and the chance to enjoy the cloister again.

A short drive south along the Lincoln Ridge, on the A607, took us through some very pretty villages - Oolitic Limestone cottages looked cream coloured making a contrast to Georgian brick and new builds. Navenby, Coleby and Welbourn both have pleasant churches. Welbourn boasts the site of a pre-1400 castle.

Never Stumpted ...

The promise of a rainy day didn't materialise. We sped east to Boston - not of Tea Party fame, but the start of the Protestant migration to what has become the USA; that wasn't because they were being persecuted but, they thought Jolly England was too jolly and depraved for their version of religion. We were jolly when we saw St Botolph's church - Boston Stump to the locals. A really beautiful building adjacent to the market square. The market was heaving with folk; it is a place well known for stalls selling fake named brands at basement prices.

Once we had wandered, goggle-eyed, around the church we indulged with slices of home made cake served at the church cafe; real Victoria sandwich and fruit cake - none of your cheap, shop bought muck.

Our next stop was Spilby and St James church - which was closed due to, like nearly everywhere else, the high level of theft and vandalism - sad but true. Always ready to taste local fayre, we had coffee and goodies at Matt's Deli - I'd drop in if you're passing through the village and buy some delicious bread or, my favourite, pork pie.

On the way back to the hotel we spotted St Helens church in West Keal. The view from the church yard towards Boston was excellent which is why the ancestors had the common sense to site their hill forts and settlements on such ridges.

So ended a rain free day.

Sun, Rain, Olympics And ...

Thursday ... Down at Porterbrooke studios we had an excellent evening daubing away in near steam-room conditions.

Friday ... The Olympic Games opening. What a great piece of theatre! The section based around the Industrial Revolution which ended with the five-ring Olympic motif was worthy of a Soviet Shakespeare.Totally patriotic; breast-beating; brilliant. The skit with Aunty Betty and 007 was a good old fashion jape ... I'm sure the yanks would think it was really happening ...

One finger to the rest of the world and a stirring trumpet call to the country ... I'm pleased to report that all the folk I've talked too seem to have been energised by the event, especially the "young"; let's hope it lasts.

Sunday ... Out to our friends in Hathersage using public transport; the 272. Sun warming, cottage garden sitting and birds flittering. Teaed, crab-pated, pork-pied and caked-scoffed lounging. We charged our batteries and thanked God for the privilege.

Monday ... Driving to Lincoln we stopped of at Littleborough to look at the church of St Nicholas. The Norman arches drew us there. It is said that Harold stop at this church on his way south to meet the William at Hastings.













We enjoyed a more than adequate lunch at the Eyre Arms pub in Rampton. Rampton's great claim to fame is that it sites the Nut Bin for the Criminally Crackers - Rampton Hospital. I have the dubious honour of delivering loaves and fishes to the hospital shop during one of my very many pre-university jobs ... a very sad and sobre experience ...

On to Lincoln Cathedral ... fantastic - always.

Hot In The Hills

Wow a sunny day! The scarcity of this phenomena in this year's summer weather could not be wasted. The trusty 272 got me to Fox House Inn where I set my walking engine on max thrust. Up and over the moor, down the valley and through the heather and bracken. Sheep baaed, birds twittered and the wind cooled my effort. Back at the Fox House Inn and I mounted the 272 for the return to Sheffield.

All this in a couple of hours. That's why so many folk like The Steel City - hop, skip and jump and you are in another world.

Sunny Stoney

A lovely English summer day ... at last.

Stoney Middleton well dressings proved to be exception ... if too professional. The effect of computer precision in design and possible expert crafts-person execution seems to out weigh the folk-art aspect. That said, the well dressings were stunning.

Ample tea and cake was available and dutifully consumed.









Driving up Middleton Lane brought us to the re-claimed land above the quarry. Spectacular views of The Dale and the prospect of wild flowers, including native orchids, are the attraction here. We were not disappointed.







We went on to a friend-of-a-friend's cottage and were totally wowed by the garden. Sitting on the grass in brilliant sunshine, consuming excellent Darjeeling tea and munching chocolate cake and shortbread biscuits, while having conversation about hither-and-yon is, to me, one of life's perfections. Apart from the infrequent sound of a passing car, the only background sounds were birds a-twitter, the wind blowing thorough the trees and plants and bleating of sheep in the surrounding fields. Pure gold!

Final Millennium Drawing Session Until September

A very wet Friday but, it didn't get in the way of taking the advantage of going to the last drawing session until September.

Talking to the gallery education person was, to be honest, a sad experience. The echo of so many empty civil service word-speaks seems to confirm that the silly bean-counting rhetoric of today's society is endemic. Be it UK or Oz the same pseudo-free-market clap-trap abounds. The Oh-Limp-Hicks dominates everything ... health, education, police service can go to the beggar's bowl. That virus SPORT takes no prisoners. It infects all and they are happy to keep paying for their infection.

The Millennium Gallery room used for the drawing sessions will, I was told, remain empty for the period - nothing was planned. Given that most, if not all, the attendants would be glad to continue the sessions through the summer, it seems a wasted opportunity to rake in at least some lucre. I suppose the incumbent manages are filled with self-congratulation that they have, in their own minds, filled their aims and objectives and met budgets. Interestingly, the tutor is now in the throws of organizing session that will have nothing to do with the gallery ...

Caer Daun Per Ferrum Equum

A sunny but blustery day gave us a good reason to get out and about. We sped of to Doncaster on the Northern Line train. The labyrinthine shopping centre cause some confusion. One of the local tribeswomen gave us the guidance needed so that we eventually found our way out into the sunshine again. The streets were packed with locals foraging for black puddings and tattoos but, thankfully, they were over-fed so that we were in little danger of being taken for a passing snack. After a passable coffee in a Costa café we wandered to the Minster.

Doncaster Minster is a excellent example of Victoria Gothic. The building occupies part of the site of the Roman fort (AD 80). The Minster is a delight to visit; being a relatively new construction all is in excellent condition and the stained glass quite stunning in the sunshine.

We braved the shopping centre on our way back to the rail station and nearly lost our way again. The train trip back to Sheffield was fast and the train clean ... a delightful way to travel.

Orchids By The Dozen

A blustery and sunny day gave us the chance to visit Dirtlow Rake near Castleton in Derbyshire so that we could look at the native orchids. The weather has been ideal for their growth so that there were lots to enjoy. The biggest surprise to me was the deep blue variety which have a very pleasant and strong perfume.

Grantham Wedding

A visit to St Wulfram's church in Grantham proved to be more interesting than expected. We have visited before and knew about the chained library. Memory had faded so that we were surprised by the size of the building and the overall excellent condition.

The added extra was a wedding ... which gave us the opportunity to listen to the excellent organ.

Tea and cake - proper Victoria Sandwich - rounded off the visit.

Dashing About In Lincolnshire ... Again

What a hectic week! About 550 miles of there-and-thither mostly in the rain. On a clear day the countryside looked green and more than pleasant. The area around Grantham, famed for falling apples and rabid politicians, was new to us. Views across central England and the Trent River valley from the ridge (Lincoln Cliff Jurassic limestone) were quite amazing. The availability of excellent watering holes in all villages not only satisfied our hunger but, encouraged us to visit local churches.

'The Stag' in Barkston provided a reasonable lunch and some tasty ale. This hostelry is on Church Street so we wandered down to the church of St Nicholas ... closed as per usual.

Honington village is where the church of St Wilfred stands ... we only visited the church.

'The Wagon and Horses' at Caythorpe provided reasonable sandwiches and a passable coffee before we visited St Vincent's church.

St Nicholas' church at Fulbeck is a surprising building both in size and location. The village has a magnificent hall, manor, church and cottages with delightful gardens. 'The Hare and Hounds' completes the set. This is an excellent place to eat and sample good English ale.

We didn't visit 'The Plough Inn' at Wilsford but, were surprised by the size of the delightful church of St Mary the Virgin.


All this over a few days ... no we're not boozers but, we have to have repast out of the rain ...

Summer Time And The Weather Is ...

Another damp day. Not to worry it's dry on the 272 ...

Low misty clouds blanketed the hill and fine rain lent an Irish softness to the day. We had an excellent walk from Hathersage, through Hugh's Manor and up to the Hay Meadows up on Coggers Lane. Blossom covered the meadows. Bright yellow buttercups and dandelions, sparkling white daisies and everywhere the bowed seed heads of the grasses covered in tiny rain drops. Some blue orchids poked through the mass of  low growing plants. A beautiful sight even in the misty rain.

Walking down to the cottage and back through the meadows gave us a second chance to enjoy the view.

Tea and conversation - always a pleasure - was added to by the boisterousness of the sheep dogs.

A damp but delightful day.

Bank Provided Shelter

Some days you just have to give in to life's essentials ... shopping. So it was and we were happily festooned with goodies when, bang crash double wallop, we subjected to a downpour. Where to shelter? That's when I spotted the open door of the Barclay's Bank. Zooooom - in we sloshed. In today's banking situation we must have been the fastest people who wanted to enter, not exit, Barclay's portals. The rain deposited as much as the bank is accused of depositing into it's own coffers ... possibly in as short a time. We are Barclay customers so we took the opportunity to don out wet gear before braving the storm; this had relented to a gently rain.

Is this the most shelter that a bank can offer in today's economic climate?