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. 

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.