Phone

After yesterday’s photo of a close-up of three of the arches (pip) we see here two photos of the complete dam. There are in fact 6 arches to the left of centre and five on its right side. It was constructed in 1951-6 and measures 344m in length by 42m in height. It should be seen here that the wall is in fact solid to the top and there is no gap to let light (or water) through to the inside top of the arches and so an optical illusion there. Lochan Na Lairige is part of the Breadalbane Hydroelectric Scheme. The alternative front view (last photo) is from the reservoir itself and can be noted how low it is despite the amount of rain up here. See Pip for alternative view Enjoy full screen

Somebodies view on VR and AI too perhaps. In reality I can live with both VR and AI as places to explore. Hope you enjoy this mix between a friendly snowman and a scary ghoul. Taken on the banks of The Rochdale Canal not too far from my home. Enjoy the day.

A nice curve for me here and as per usual I always like to include a frame of some sort. The flying flag is the ‘English Heritage’ emblem. They look after such historical buildings and sites. More about the castle later when I share some closer looks. This is in fact a phone photo even though I took a few with my DSLR. The quality seemed OK and the P.O.V on this was slightly better than my Nikon ones. I never thought I would see the day when a phone photo competed against my Nikon shots. Maybe, because I am snapping with my phone, I am not taking as much care with the ‘real’ camera :) Best full screen

A new river wall in the making here as the flood prevention scheme goes on for yet another year. The people of Kendal are quite fed-up with all this now. It has been going on for years and effects the river bank and promenades for a good way from the town centre. However my nephew had water to the edge of his front door in the great Kendal flood of 2022 and so they might feel safer when this is done. The river around here has caused bad flooding for many years now. High river walls and armoured glass fences atop must cost a fortune. HWW, enjoy the day.

A rare trip to the Yorkshire city of York gives me a chance to see a live grand railway station. Here we are looking down onto platform six with one of the LNER (London North East Railway) Azuma trains ready to depart to London’s Kings Cross station The station itself was built in 1870 replacing the older one and is operated by the LNER and is on the ECML (East Coast Main Line). York being approximately halfway between London and Edinburgh. The original wooden station built in 1839 was the largest railway station in the world possessing 13 platforms. Best full screen. Enjoy the day.

A rather unusual view down this staircase seen in the most interesting ‘Bar Convent’ in the old city of York. To me this also reminded me of the old fairground rides. “The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre, at Micklegate Bar, York, England, established in 1686, is the oldest surviving Catholic convent in the British Isles. The laws of England at this time prohibited the foundation of Catholic convents and as a result of this, the convent was both established and operated in secret.” Wikipedia Best full screen Have a good weekend.

As the tea continues to brew see how much care is taken into keeping the interior here clean and shiny. It would have been a hive of activity in here with at least two men (women were rarely in these cabs during the days of steam) hard at work. The fireman, constantly shovelling coal into the firehole and the engine drivers hands never still as he adjust levers and turns the controlling valves. All this whilst trying to look ahead through the small side windows to see what is happening outside. At least they were lucky in here as they had side windows and a fully enclosed cab keeping the weather elements at bay. A rare thing in steam engines. This seen in the York Railway Museum. See adjacent photo for full view of the locomotive.

Life on board, atop our river cruise: the Tui Isla. This is quite a long ship and we are about half way along the top. No swimming pools on these floating pleasure hotels but a lot of seats with some game area’s too. Sitting here, it would not be long before a waiter would ask if you required refreshments. When sailing under some of the lower bridges, these canopies would be collapsed, as well as the bridge/wheelhouse section. HBM, enjoy the week.

A spectacular look at the choir in this lovely cathedral. It actually runs from west to east on our right hand side here. We arrived at the church too late for an internal visit but realised that we could attend the choir here for an hour. In the end it was full to capacity with the choristers' sat behind the candle lit places also to my right but not in view. Above me to my left was the majestic organ that together with the singers held everybody in thrall. I was amazed how good this phone photo came out as there was no flash and I noticed as I left that photography was in fact forbidden! Enjoy full screen

Here we see part of the south edifice of the famous cathedral of York showing off it most beautiful architectural features in this late winter afternoon light. We had walked past earlier but this light was far more attractive. There are really too many superlatives to describe this all dominating homage to God and man, suffice to say that this building began in 1220 and took 250 years to complete. An earlier Anglo-Saxon church standing here was opened in 637AD. It is dedicated to St Peter.Best full screen. The Pip (adjacent photo) shows the choir just before Evening song. Enjoy the day.

Christmas is a busy time! Here in York its a day for festivity shopping and as can be seen in this area of the market, it is where flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables are purchased. A colourful spot here at the edge of the old area of York known as the Shambles. Enjoy the day

A view of this beautiful Austrian town with the most beautiful Dürnstein Abbey in the foreground and the old ruined castle on the hill. This taken from aboard our river cruise ship as we left.

As the last of the shoppers leave our town centres we can start to think on the true meaning of this moment, our Christmas Eve. A time of peace for all in which to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. May your festive days bring you all you hope for, as I wish all my Ipernity friends: A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ~ Herb ~ (Taken some days back whilst in York)

Another look at York Railway station here. A far cry from what it would have looked like in here at the same time ninety years back with, no doubt, big crowds and lots of smoke, all mixed with the loud sounds of hissing steam , hoots and chatter. Now it seems almost silent. Have a good weekend and I wish you A Happy New Year

A different look at the York National Railway Museum here as we venture into a hall of mixed railway historic memorabilia. So many things to see here that it is almost overwhelming. The statue is the old Britannia and her supporters from Euston Station. Of course the more daring of visitors, in the know, could simply vanish into the world of Harry Potter via this same platform. "Euston opened in 1838 as the terminus for the London & Birmingham Railway. The arch was a grand architectural statement of the arrival of the railway in the capital. It was designed by Philip Hardwick and built from Yorkshire stone in Classical Greek Doric style with four columns. Robert Stephenson designed the station's train shed in the same year. The arch was demolished, despite considerable protest, in 1961." National Railway Museum website. Best full screen

After quite a steep hike up here from the riverside, I get a grand view from the highest point of the castle. This was the prison of our old King Richard (1st) the Lionheart in 1192. This taken with my phone in panoramic mode which I must say I find admirable. The large village sits at the foot of this hill, just above the river. The PiPs shows more views of the castle. Essential full screen Enjoy the day.

Taken as we walk up to the Abbey just behind this street. A rather slim tall stranger waits till I snap before moving on. The original panoramic picture taken with my phone is 10,288x3786 pixels. Essential full screen. Enjoy the day.

This week at Dunham Massey was snowdrop week. I think you can see why it is thus called from my photograph here. One very rarely sees such a bountiful collection of snowdrops. I have to give full credit to the gardeners of this incredible parkland and for once the sun shone even though it was only about 3C. Enjoy the day.