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England beckons yet again: more in York
York was filled with inspiration wherever we went. Sunday was no exception: fine needlework, illuminated artwork, inspiring architecture, Thomas the Tank, Harry Potter and best of all a day spent Anna W, a internet friend from a small group. The day began with a visit to the York Minster, which is good because there was a good wind blowing–felt like early autumn not late summer. Even though some parts of the Minster were off limits due to an issue with the security cameras not working we still had ample inspiration.
What a day, and it all began here, at the York Minster. While in England, I learned that a “city” is a place with a cathedral, everything else is a town. Makes total sense to me!
Since there are so many photos in this post, I think I’ll just comment below each photo:
On the way to the minster, we passed yet another pub with glorious flowerboxes and a wonderful sign.
Guy Fawkes day is a big celebration day in Britain, celebrated (according to Wikipedia) on November 5, where “his effigy is traditionally burned in a bonfire. ” You might also wonder where you’ve heard that name (if your not English that is): That was the name of Dumbledore’s phoenix in the Harry Potter books. Get it, the phoenix is reborn by going up in flames?
The inside of the big doors on the West face of the Minster and Eli, not so happy that I’m taking yet another photo of him. That’s what moms do, kiddo! Plus, those strap hinges are great inspiration for quilting designs.
Illuminated map and lettering–Val Webb, thought of you and your fabulous Watercolor Lettering class. This looks like gouache and gold leaf.
A close up–just STUNNING! Love the artwork. Notice on the left where it shows the chapel dedicated to the women of Britain who served during the wars.
Part of the stitchery on the altar cloth. England has an incredible tradition of embroidery. Yes, that’s stitching, not paint!
And I “do” dragons, and loved this one. More design inspiration.
Just tilt your head sideways….an angel for Marie. Have no idea why this flipped sideways!
Needlepoint kneeler and seat cushions in a chapel
Madonna and child in cloth. Art quilts eveywhere!
Up under the soaring roof are the ribs, the supports for the ceiling. Glad my camera has a superzoom! When part of one nave of the church was restored some years back, they had to make new bosses, the designs at the intersections. Children were asked to enter designs in a competition, and this one of man walking on the moon was included. Totally awesome way to restore yet include contemporary life, which is totally in keeping with how the churches were built and how they keep in touch with contemporary life.
Antique storage chest for the Bishop’s vestments, and more design inspiration in the hinges. The capes/cloaks (don’t know what they are called officially) fold into triangular wedges, then are stored in here.
Design inspiration in a floor grate even!
And I “do” bats as well. Anything that eats mosquitoes is a friend of mine (yes, spiders also). Loved this boss! More design inspiration!
The massive stained glass window that faces east is being restored. Bit by bit as the work is done, the actual panels are being displayed at floor level.
And another angel for Marie Z. from said window.
And if you wonder why they call it a great window, this explains it. The window is the size of a **tennis court**!!!!
By then we were pretty much churched out, and decided to walk a portion of the medieval walls of the old city of York. Anna led the way. I was petrified. I am not afraid of heights as much as I am of falling (and wait until you see my brave pics from the top of St. Paul’s in London at the end of the trip). This may have required more nerve, tho, as there were no railings on the left. In the US there would have been cement barricades defacing the walk (to keep the litigious and the lawyers at bay). We didn’t do the whole thing due to time and, frankly, my nerves!
And lovely rooftops on the walk–would make a great quilt!
We had a lovely lunch and tea, and Eli kindly took this photo of me with Anna. The sweater she is wearing is one she made and is FAB. As you can see, though, the wind had abated and it started to warm up a little.
We walked Anna back to the train station (she lives about an hour away from York and came all the way to meet us!). Next to the station is the Railway Museum, so had to take a selfie with Thomas the Tank since Joshua and I read those books and watched the videos. Saving the books for some future decade and grandkids!
We were lucky–the “Hogwarts Express” engine was on the sidings at the museum–it is still a working engine so sometimes is out working!
The actual Platform 9 3/4 sign from the Harry Potter museums is here, not at King’s Cross Station, so I’m pretending to push my cart. Thanks again to Eli for being my photographer!
This was too cool not to photograph, also in the Railway Museum. I think it came fro a station somewhere, but can’t read my photo of the signage.
And some of the engines. That green one with the bump looks JUST like Percy, my favorite engine from the Thomas the Tank books. Percy is such a sweet personality, always trying hard even if the task seems beyond his abilities–he always tries, and does so cheerfully. Methinks I need another visit to York to include more time as this was just about a half hour quick visit!
So that’s Sunday in York. Monday will take us to–DREAM–the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Think Thomas the Tank steam engines, Hogsmeade (Harry Potter), and the moors from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Stay tuned!
December 9th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Wonderful photos – York is a truly incredible city! A great source of inspiration.
I remember the walls and the railway museum from a school trip many years ago. The kids loved it.