Cathedral controversy

The seasoned eye will recognise at once that this is not York Minster. This shot from the free-standing bell-tower is of St André's cathedral, Bordeaux, showing off its flying buttresses and red tiled lower roofing.

The controversy of the title, however, concerns York Minster, so here are answers to some of yesterday's questions:

No, you don't have to pay to attend a service; many tourists go to Wednesday evensong, listen to the choir, then enjoy the architecture free of charge. 

I'm not sure how long they have been charging for entry. You can in fact get so far into the cathedral before you have to pay, but cannot see the nave or the wonderful chapter house, for example. Other cathedrals have prominent donation boxes with an indication of what each visitor needs to give to keep the building maintained.

I agree with Hilda that the roof looks asymetrical in this picture, but can't say why that might be.  

York Minster interior

Thanks again to Majiec for this atmospheric Gothic shot of the interior of York Minster. Photographs are allowed, but entry is £8.

Yellow bird 2

I'm not sure that this one merits being called a bird, except that it did once fly across the country. This is another photograph from Majiec, a participant in a week's English language training a few months ago.

Further proof from the NRM that not all locomotives are black! 

Bile beans, York

I've been meaning to get a better shot of this landmark wall-ad on Lord Mayor's Walk for a while, but have not got round to it. If you're not feeling on top of the world, perhaps you should try these, whatever they are, and wherever you might find them!

Twisted column

This strange, twisted column in pinkish stone seems to celebrate the centuries of viticulture or wine-growing in Bordeaux. Must remember to get some close-ups next time we pass. There is no wine-production in York, of course, but there are local breweries. 

Bordeaux or York?

York Minster, England at the top, St. André's cathedral, Bordeaux, France at the bottom. The only English  cathedral to have a spire is Salisbury, so Bordeaux is doing one better on that score. Lincoln cathedral, at 103 metres the tallest building in the world from 1311, lost hers in 1549. It collapsed, reminding me of these lines from All my hope on God is founded:


Pride of man and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust,
what with care and toil we fashion,
tower and temple fall to dust;
but God's power, hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.


There are more verses, and the hymn is Robert Bridges' (1844-1930) translation from German of Joachim Neander's (1650-1680) much earlier work. Neander's tune Meine Hoffnung can be heard here in midi.

Battle of the cathedrals.

This is St André's cathedral, Bordeaux - another twinning day. I may be slightly biased, but I think York Minster easily has it. See the labels to compare and for a detailed look at the new sculptures on the Minster west doorway, go here to Tim New's latest composition and slide-show. 

York Minster north

Time for another angle on the Minster, but with the added interest of the buckled and bowed walls of the dwellings on the left. This is the north side of the great cathedral; the Treasurer's House Garden is immediately on the right of the cobbled street. 

Strange company

Gray's Court gardens,  obviously the place to get a head.

Just barged in …

There is no longer any commercial traffic on the Ouse, unless you count this floating café, but leisure craft bring a splash of colour to the river. Narrowboats, as these slender barges are called, are often tied up at this point, at the bottom of Museum Gardens, making an attractive summer scene.

Mirror mist

Continuing with the temporary twinning of York with Bordeaux, here is the mist I mentioned in the last post! I wonder if the boys running away know something the others don't.

Temporary twins

I've decided to twin Bordeaux with York, at least for a little while. This is the quayside water-mirror on on the mighty Garonne. Parents have great fun taking photos of their offspring here. 

Every now and then the water drains away into the slits and a fine mist  emanates from the metal discs set into the paving. It's amusing to watch the younger children as puzzlement at the disappearance of the water gives way to wide-eyed wonder at the arrival of the mist.

Lady in red 2

Seen from Lendal Bridge, one of York's bus-boats arrives at the bottom of Museum Gardens. 

Leaning on Lendal

The circular tower here by Lendal Bridge on the River Ouse is a café we haven't yet tried. The lean to the right is accidental! 

Royal sleeper

Not your average couchette, this one! This is Edward VII's bedroom on the royal train now parked at the National Railway Museum. A few of the other exhibits can be seen through the window. After a horrendous Black Saturday drive through France yesterday, how I wish we'd taken the air-conditioned TGV (high-speed train)!

Although our visit to Paris was to visit a friend at the Institut Curie, we had time for a stroll in the baking heat, always on the lookout for a bit of shade. The roses which frame the shot of Notre Dame below were beautifully scented. The sculpture in the park is a Rodin, a smaller version of Les Portes de L'Enfer (The Gates of Hell), I think. 

The Black Swan, York

I've posted a ground-level view of the Black Swan before; this one is taken from upstairs in Peasholme House on St Saviour's Place. Behind on the left are the DEFRA government offices, and on the right, the first phase of the Hungate development.

Night vision

This photo of the west façade of York Minster is courtesy of Majiec, a Polish participant in a week of language training with York Associates. It is always a pleasure to show off the town to visitors.

Yellow bird

Another from the National Railway Museum, inspired by the American beauty shown here on Oakland Daily Photo. This is a 1934 Chrysler Airflow posing in front of the equally streamlined, maroon and gold, art deco Duchess of Hamilton. The linked article is worth the detour.

Look who's here!

I chose this one in response to Gunn White's photo of ERII, florally represented in Stavanger. Pictures of royal trains, which whisked the monarchy from London to Balmoral, Scotland,  will follow at some point. 

New York, Old York

We've had this pun before with reference to a pizza restaurant. Here an old smoker next to Peasholme House surveys the first phase of the Hungate development on the Foss. 

Yorkshire poppies

We've had a wonderful year for blossom, particularly hawthorn, and now it's poppy time. Thanks to Martin for this one. I never tire of this kind of view, nor of the verse it brings to mind:

Frail as summer's flower we flourish,

blows the wind, and it is gone,

but while mortals rise and perish,

God endures unchanging on. 

Peaceful at Peasholme

A Swedish and a Norwegian participant relax on the steps of Peasholme House, St Saviour's Place, after a week's language training with York Associates. 

All dressed up and nowhere to go

Pleasure boats on the Ouse seen from Lendal Bridge, showing the Guildhall and the modern City Screen  with its inviting terrace. For a panoramic view go here to the wonderful York 360º site. 

I scream, "Ice cream!"

In the park, just to the left of the Minster west door.