Lichfield Cathederal, the final look.

Hi folks,
Part three of this fascinating building.

The Nave Altar installed in 2003.

Closeup of the flags of war above the South Transept.

Into the Chapter House, built in the first half of the 13th century with its wonderful roof.

With its medieval wall painting above the entrance door.

St Chad Gospels, it has been dated back to 730 ad which makes it one on the oldest books in Britain.

The famous Lichfield Angel dated from the late 8th century and was found during excavations of the Nave and was probably part of the original shine to St Chad.

An artifact from the Anglo Saxon Hoard, this is a computer generated replica.

The Cathedral under attack, quite a story in itself.

Lastly just up the road in The Hospital of St, John the Baptist is this famous window installed in  the chapel in 1984 by John Piper. there is also a much larger version in Coventry Cathedral.

Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoyed the tour, Mike

Lichfield Cathedral 2

Hi folks,
Continuing on with our tour we enter through the West Front door.

and greeted by the High Altar beyond the Screen and the Quire. the windows beyond the Altar in the Lady Chapel are at present being restored and are due to be returned next year.

The Shrine of St Chad which is sited behind the High Altar.

Looking through the screen towards the high altar.

The south and north Choir stalls and the screen behind.

Window in the South Transept and the steps leading to the road with military memorials and books of remembrance of both World Wars below the window. This is the largest window in the Cathedral of Christ in Glory and the spread of the church by Kempe.

Medieval paintings still adorn the walls.

Magnificent tiled floor leading to the High Altar.

Next is the Chapter House.
Hope you enjoyed this splendid Cathedral. Mike

Lichfield Cathedral

Hi folks,
continuing on our way home from the trip to the "Midlands" we stopped at Hopwas overnight and took the Express bus into Lichfield.  This bus is very quick as it does not go round all the villages into the town.  The amazing three spire Cathedral stands over Lichfield, we spent a long time there and took a lot of photographs.

The  West front was fascinating and adorned with many Monarchs, Prophets and Saints.

The rear is awaiting the refitting of its' restored stained glass windows although the stonework has already been renovated.  At the moment you can only see clear "isothermal glass" which will form a protective layer for the beautiful glass, hopefully a year or two should see this done. 

Juxtaposition of the Saints and Gargoyles.

 Outside Tomb in the South Transept

Christ blessing its people on the centre west front with the spire behind. 

Close up of the west front showing some of the many Monarchs.

One of the newly replaced Gargoyles showing the eerie green reflection of the newly formed moss below.

 Spouts from some of the Gargoyles mouths taking the rainwater away from the building.

Another one of the newly carved Gargoyles already starting to go green on the south side of the lady chapel.

Many more but too many to show, next blog shows the inside. Mike

Buxton Thermal Baths

Hi folks,
just a few more as we stopped off at the baths for a look around, we walked through the door and found this amazing glass roof in the Cavendish Arcade.

The stairs lead to a coffee shop so up we went.

View of the roof from the top of the stairs. 

Glass Barrel Vaulted Ceiling.

Outside we sat down and had a drink.

The walls were decorated with Minton tiles from the original baths.

As we left.

The walls were covered in original Minton Tiles.

Back in the road again to the next stop, the "High Peak Trail".

Thanks for looking, Mike

Back to Buxton

Hi folks,
Just a few more of our trip in the Midlands.
As we parked up to explore this town famous for its' Water and Spar Baths we saw this rather quaint small railway viaduct.

After walking through the town we came across this very steep area aptly called " The Slopes" with its War Memorial overlooking the town.

Looking down across the valley in the distance which supplies the towns water.

In the centre you can see the The Devonshire Campus of the Derby University, the dome has a circumference of 46 metres.

At the top of the slopes a garden was laid out in front of the Pavilion with its Bandstand.

As the clouds rolled in we took sanctuary in this magnificent Victorian building.

Walking back down into the town, I snapped this youthful looking lady refilling her water bottle, she told me that she drank the water from here every day and I had to guess her age.  Very difficult, perhaps I should have guessed something like "80 years" but chose to veer on younger than I thought and she seemed happy!

Thanks for looking, Mike

Medway Queen Update and Visit

Hi Folks,

Saturday, we had the chance to actually go on this fine historic ship which saved many lives during the evacuation of troops in the second world war. If you look closely you can see the mast of the Cambria, a Thames Barge behind which made an interesting maneuver as we climbed aboard the Medway Queen.

The barge which used sail only had to pull away from the jetty and was getting rather close so they lowered the life boat.

Using the lifeboat as propulsion the barge then moved away from the jetty and was on her way.

Back on board, we investigated the bow looking at all the new plate riveted in place.

and all the new brass portholes installed.

Apparently the decking on this level was original and has been treated and refitted, the deck above is new.

Looking through the port paddle.

Still a lot to do below decks as I climbed the stairs to be greeted by the newly painted funnel.

Back on the jetty nice to see her back in the water again.

We had a look around the museum and listened to the audio and archive footage on the monitors.

Lastly the ships whistle waiting to be fitted at the completion of the restoration.

Thanks for looking, if you Google the "Medway Queen" there is lots of fascinating information on its past and its gallant service in the second world war.

Thanks for looking, Mike