As promised I will continue telling you about the Railway Museum, York and Benningborough Hall.Picture 1 is the Minster taken from the top of the Ferris wheel and published in sepia because it suits the subject and Jill will enjoy it.
It amazes me how well the camera copes with pictures through smeary, 'in your face' plastic 'glass' completely surrounding the module. No opening at all. To my simple mind it calls into question why photographers insist on expensive high quality real glass filters.
Picture 2 is the immortal Mallard. The attention the locomotive was receiving from young boys of all ages up to 80yrs, demonstrated she has not lost her appeal.
The Railway Museum is very good and, almost unbelievably these days, entrance is free!
What a good place for a young family with children. There is lots about 'Thomas the Tank Engine' and also 'The Railway Children'.Beningborough Hall is interesting and houses a lot of National Portrait Gallery Portraits. There were significant Gainsboroughs, Reynolds, and Neller Unfortunately they were exhibited in very gloomy conditions with window blinds almost completely pulled down.
I know the standard explanation trotted out by The National Trust is to do with 'preservation' but that doesn't really stand scrutiny with robust, healthy, oil paintings. In anycase their 'home' at the National Portrait Gallery is airy and well lit.
There was a room dedicated to the mezzotints of Thomas Frye. These were exceptionally good. Mostly portraits of ordinary people. They had a compelling immediacy and justified my trip all by themselves. The mezzotint process was widely used for portraiture right up to the onset of photography.
When I got outside I felt I ought to have a snap of the place and the light wasn't helpful for the main building. So I settled for this archway. I acknowledge the influence of Reg's 'King James's Chambers' blogged on February 15th 2008. Still awful light though, for my shot, but nice structure and I only had to wait seconds for someone to walk across. To save 'model release' problems etc., I have gaussian-blurred the face.We've had a generally quiet fish & chip day, a little shopping, Y been down town to buy her rail-ticket for next weekend and I've been messing about.
Comments
Bungus ...... I like the introduction of the Bungus Diary. You've got things on record and they are fun for the rest of us. I won't comment specifically except about the chemo and the risk of bleeding - I know all about that, only too well.
Like you I have a constant battle with my mobile phone. The device keeps letting me down - not reminding me of appointments when it should, vibrating only, when it should make a noise as well. Sometimes not even vibrating. Earlier mobiles have been better. One I used to enjoy allowed me to enter a series of jobs and the alarm would go off reliably for each.
I know full well you haven't sussed your new one yet. Today you sent me 2 gibberish text messages, 'Jptp' was one and 'JTGrahamMobGrahamMob' was the second - I apologise for not replying !
Jill ...... The Railway Hotel is still there and apparently doing well. AA 4 stars no less. And it looked fine - often 'faded elegance' is good.
I can't join in the exotic fish conversation because I've never eaten the types mentioned. We have a reliable source of Sea Bream and Sea Bass, both of which we love. I cook them like trout and they always turn out well.
So pleased things have been nudged in the right direction for Jenny, and I'm glad that things came good for Noreen.
Carrying on with the old sayings thread, I am in serious doubt as to whether or not to list this rather vulgar but expressive Police saying. Describing a chap with a serious hang-over it was said "His eyes were like a racing-dog's knackers - small, red, and set well back".
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3 comments:
I too marvel at the surprising quality of snaps taken through dirty bus windows etc.
Having no particular interest since collecting train numbers for a fortnight when I was 12 (I never quite saw the point in watching my Hornby train inherited from an uncle go round in small circles) I have never been to The York Railway Museum, despite having visited the city on business frequently in the 60s. But The Mallard looks magnificent and I am sure there is much more of general interest. I’ll put it on my list of ‘things I intend to do but probably never will’.
I like the idea of a picture gallery with no lighting. It should contain surrealist works. I have just started this morning to reread ‘Catch 22’ so I am in receptive mood anyway.
It sounds as if you are being deserted next weekend. So perhaps we could arrange an afternoon?
No Bungus Diary today because nothing has really happened worth commenting on. Dan and Simon both came round to see me on a belated birthday visit yesterday and talked to each other for an hour about a computer game. Great!
Em brought some courgette misshapes though, which added a bit of excitement. I also scanned a page from a preserves & pickles book which S had bought for her from the Macarthur Glenn remaindered book shop. As is quite often the case, the second half of it was replaced by a repeat of the first half, so I suppose we could have ripped it in two?.
Sorry about the gibberish mobile messages. I had no intention of sending anything! You were right not to reply. Sandra has now upped the volume so that I can actually hear it go off, not that I would be able to answer it but so far a vibrate has not been located.
Some years ago S and I stayed several times at Scarborough’s Grand Hotel which at the time belonged to Butlins. It was very cheap (something under £60 a night for 3 nights half board I think). The food was generally better than acceptable, at times very good, there was variable entertainment every evening, and the place had a slightly neglected, seedy feel to it which I suppose would count as ‘faded elegance’. We also once took a ‘short bargain break’ in Rugby at a rather similar but much smaller bijou sort of place with threadbare carpets and ancient retainers. Much more atmosphere in which to delight than the Hilton’s at which we also enjoyed weekend offers.
You really must try Aldi’s Marlin Steaks with a sachet of not quite enough Apricot & Chile Sauce (same cabinet as the Sea Bream) They provided the most delicious new eating experience that Sandra and I have enjoyed in years. I would say 'The seagoing equivalant of a bacon sandwich or jugged hare' but I won't as that would be bound to lead to diappointment for you. But very nice fish.
Still being a schoolboy at heart, I like the vulgar police saying. Different but on the same level as drill corporals/sergeants sayings, the politest of which, from the ones immediately springing to mind, is “You! Yes you with the bicycle on your nose!” to anyone wearing glasses, esp if over 6’2” tall.
Bungus. I have been round to Rg headquarters and put his photo program back on his new computor. I made him promise not to 'bogger about' with it. Please back me up he may take notice of you.
We had a Sergeant who wore a parachute half wing (parachute instructor I think) He used to bawl that "I will **** upon you from a great height and I can you know". Whist pointing to his half wing.
A great sepia photo especially for me - thank you! I am pleased to know that the Railway Hotel is still going - but surprised, felt sure that in that prime location and with all that ground at the rear it would by now be luxiry apartments. But perhaps it belongs to the Railways? It could possibly be listed, it was full of original features (like the plumbing...)our curtains which were in holes all along the folds....
I like a bit of vulgarity...all for it!
I don't like the idea of pictures in the dark - surely they were painted to be seen?
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