Friday 18 September 2009

A Jolly Day Out.
















Today, a friend and I have had a day out. I took my camera to record our exploits and then - for the first half of the day - forgot to use it. We had a lovely lunch in a local pub - ate too much - then went on to Fountains Abbey.



Our real destination was Ripon and the annual Art Exhibition, which is held in the cathedral and features most of the leading artists in the area. It is difficult to get a really good shot of Ripon cathedral and it is in such a built up area, so I took one from the front seat of the car as we approached, so at least you can get some idea of what it looks like.
Later I took one while walking down Kirkgate - sorry there is a lean on the cathedral Derrick (I am sure you will notice) but that is the only way I could take it. Kirkgate itself, as you will see from the photograph, is an interesting and rather quaint little street.
The market square in Ripon had a little Victorian trailer - looks almost like an old fashioned bathing machine - the building in the background is the Town Hall and here every night at sundown the Ripon Hornblower blows his ancient horn to warn the townspeople to get inside and lock their doors!
The journey from here to Ripon is interesting - I have featured parts of it on my blog in the past. One place I have not mentioned is West Tanfield - here the road crosses the River Ure and the view from the bridge is spectacular. Considering I took the photograph from the open window of a moving vehicle I don't think it is too bad.
Hope you enjoy these photographs. I am sorry it is a brief blog tonight but time is short. Have a good weekend - and those of you who are joining TFE's Monday meme and Derrick's Monday meme had better get cracking.
## What of the art exhibition, you may ask. Well - as ever - it was very good. There were some brilliant seascapes but very little this year which blew me away. The only picture I really liked was sold (just as well as I would have found it hard to resist as it featured a hare).

18 comments:

Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...

Can't help but wonder what terrible dangers lurked that people needed to be warned to get indoors and lock up!

Heather said...

I love the idea behind the hornblowing custom and it's marvellous that it still goes on. Maybe it stops when the tourists have all gone home. Your photos are very good taken from a moving car Weaver, and give a real sense of that part of your trip. Ripon looks very unspoiled and full of character. I always feel relieved when the item I like best has already been sold - we've no room for anything else! I love hares too - they have a magical quality somehow.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Sounds like the perfect day, even without the hare painting! Enjoy your weekend!!

Cloudia said...

Very nice!


Aloha


Comfort Spiral

Kim Palmer said...

Have been ill so haven't been around much of late but am on the road to recovery now and catching up! Love the traditional horn blowing too! Inside and lock up your daughters folks! How funny. I'm glad these things are not completely lost to us all. Sounds like a lovely day out Pat, very relaxing!

The Grandpa said...

Good pictures.

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

i have never visited your part of the country and Ripon looks like a lovely place to explore.

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Such a splendid way to spend a day.
Is this area anywhere near Holy Trinity or Kingston Upon Hall?
Susan

Totalfeckineejit said...

I love Hares too weaver and am always looking (without success) for a picture or even better a sculpture that i like and can afford.

Pondside said...

Another interesting trip with you, Weaver. Do you think that Kirkgate comes from the Danish Kirkegade - or church way?

Lisa at Greenbow said...

The entire town looks quaint to me. Those skinny streets would be difficult to navigate in our vehicles. It sounds like you had a marvelous day out and about despite not being wowed by the art exhibit.

Golden West said...

It's always such a pleasure to ride along with you on an outing. The town is positively charming - thanks for the excursion!

Anonymous said...

lovely photos!

Hildred said...

Sounds like a lovely day, Weaver. Thank you for sharing it with us, - photos are great.

Elizabeth said...

A lovely outing. Wish I could have gone with you!

CHummelKornell said...

I enjoyed your photographs very much. The bit of "leaning" actually added an interesting dimension to the work. I really love the village beside the beautiful tree-lined river. What a lovely place.

Unknown said...

Hello Weaver,

Nice day out. I'll forgive the cathedral pic. It is hard to stand far enough back, isn't it, although you can get a decent side view. We found a very nice cafe on Kirkgate, on the right as you look in your picture, not far from the cathedral end. Hope you've managed to dig out a snap for Monday.

Jeannette StG said...

I know what you mean, some of my pics taken from the car are better than walking! Before I red your note about that pic, I was already going to bomment that I really like the cathedral building!