Flat Stanley has come to visit with me while I'm on assignment here in England!  I took him with me while I went on business trips and on exploration trips.

Here's Stanley sitting on the fence outside of the town hall of Barrow-in-Furness.

What material was made in Barrow-in-Furness, so much of it that they made more of it than anyone else in the world?

Stanley enjoyed going with me to Rolls-Royce in Derby.  Who was Rolls?  Who was Royce?  One had the genius, one had the capital.  What is a common name for capital?

What did Rolls-Royce make that was so important to England's Freedom in the 1940's? 

Hint; it had the same name as King Arthur's wizard.  What were these things used in?  Hint; they flew!

Stanley enjoyed visiting Brougham Castle.  It is on England's route A66, which follows the path of an old Roman Road.   Right in front of the castle (not in this view) are the remains of an old Roman fort.

I had to call Stanley down from climbing the walls at Penrith Castle.  It was just one big jungle gym to him.

Why are so many of England's Castles in ruins? What is a ruin?

Who was Oliver Cromwell?

What is a civil war?

Stanley was amazed by Castlerigg Stone Circle.  This Circle of Stones is high in the hills, just outside of Keswick (pronounced KES-IC).  The taller hills (called Fells) were brilliant, with their tops covered in snow.  These stones were placed over 4000 years ago.

Who were the Picts?  Who were the Celts?   

Stanley is going to leave England in a few days and move on to Geneva.  Where's that?  Bye Stanley!  It was smashing!

Spectacular, marvelous, brilliant, these words don't begin to convey the impact of the Minster's beauty.  

This view shows the organ pipes encased in their dark oak framework.  While visiting this day, there was a wedding scheduled for 2pm.  The choir entered abt 12:30, the organist was warming up, and then the wedding.  It was remarkable.  

This view is looking East at the altar.  The 'EAST WINDOW' is behind.  But what you are looking at is probably the world's largest photograph.  It is of the East window, which is under restoration (behind the photo).  It will take about 10 yrs to complete the restoration of the Europe's largest example of a medieval glass window.

This view is taken 180 degrees from the previous one of the altar.  The choir loft is on the right & left, the organ pipes are in the center in the middle of the picture.  The next picture is taken after walking 1/2 the length of the church and turning back in this direction.

The shadows of the advent wreath cast unusual eerie shadows.  The photo of the East Window is in the distance and we're in the large open portion of the nave.

Walking forward and then turning yet again 180 degrees, this picture is of the west window.  It has already been restored.  It is referred to as the 'heart window'.  Is it obvious why?? 

The next posting will be the final post of interior views of the Minster (5 more views).  Then we'll continue the tour of York.

York, as in New York.  But this is the original!!  Located 3 hours east of Cumbria, York is a beautiful walled city.  There has been a settlement on this site for almost 2000 years, beginning with the arrival of the Roman Legions about  71AD.    They built their first fort, a wooden structure, and replaced it with stone about 108AD.  The dominant feature of York is its MINSTER.  The present structured dates back to the 14th century, some parts earlier and the Minster is a seat of the Church in England.

The first church on this site was built in 627AD.

Want further history lessons?  Google them.

Anyway, this place is spectacular.  The next post will show what some of the inside looks like.  

This area is what we called the 'high rent' district.  Close to the cathedral,  large buildings with perfectly manicured lawns and gardens, this area is unlike any other neighborhood in York.

Every where you are in the city you can catch a glimpse of the Minster.  Get lost?  Then a quick 360 in one of the many squares of the city will pick out this landmark and you'll be on your way again, in the right direction.

Beautiful anytime of day, my favorite views are at night.  The shadows play upon the detail of the structure and give an even greater appreciation of the magnificent features.