Just a short ride from here is the village of Cartmel.  It is noted for its Priory, which dates back to the 12th century.  Cartmel is a lovely village, quiet and yet awesome in its rich historical heritage. 

Just outside of town, it get pastoral and sparsely populated very quickly.

A view from the town's outskirts.

Looking back at the Priory from the center of town. 

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. 

Kendal's Parrish is a beautiful church.  The exterior is unassuming, but provokes interest.  The interior is absolutely stunning.  It is five aisles wide, has several service areas (chapels), two organs and lots of stained glass and carvings.

I hope these pictures succeed in conveying the beauty of this church.  

I know a couple of talented people who would love to get their hands on this organ.  I was at a concert here, 70 member choir, 10 pc brass band, and two organists.   One of the organ solos was Carillon de Westminster.  Marvelous! 

Kendal is a large town, said to be the largest in the south lakes district.  There's a castle ruin above the town, the parish is said to be the widest in England, it's where the famous Kendal Mint Cake originated (went to top of Everest), it has a great market, it has a large artist community and has several other notable points of interest.  

First erected in the 13th century, Kendal Castle is said to be the birthplace of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife.

This is the largest part of the ruin.  Off to the left (out of view) is what remains of the tower, you can see part of the wall to the right.  The wall continues around the inner compound and the moat has dried up.  

This is a view looking up main street.  The center of town opens up to the market place and is often restricted to traffic.

This arch opens to one of the parks.  Double click on the image, zero in on the center of the arch and check out the view.   

01-07-09;  Another of Ulverston's famous personalities is Sir John Barrow.  Just outside of town is the monument to his memory, which was built in 1850.  Sir John Barrow "was a naval administrator and traveller...He promoted extensive British exploration in the 19th century, most notably in West Africa and the North & South Polar regions." 

 

The monument is built on Hoad Hill, 430 feet above sea level.  I was able to ride the bike a quarter of the way up, walked it another 1/4, then left the bike and hiked the rest of the way.

It was 3pm when I decided to leave the bike and make the hike.  I'd just finished my bag lunch and hemmed & hawed, trying to decide if it was too late to make the trip.  But as I was deciding, a few people walked by & as I finished my lunch, I could see it didn't take long for them to get to the monument.  All said & done, it was a 15 minute hike (at my pace).

Double click on any of these images to really appreciate the beauty of the vistas. 

The views are tremendous, hills to the north covered with snow, still a lot of green on the slopes (these pictures were taken in early December) and the air was crystal clear.  

Look carefully and you'll notice the railroad bridge over the upper reach of Morecombe Bay.  This view is over the steepest part of the Hoad.  I've been told a local resident living at the bottom, often has to call the rescue squad because a mountain biker has come down the hill and out of control, has gotten stuck in the fence at the property line.