BRIDGE No. 3 😕
sleepers :- Danny and his missus Barbara
Mike and his missus Kath
John and his missed *******
As Julie Andrews sang "Let's start at the very beginning, A very good place to start."
So....Mike parked his car at JW's house and we gathered near the club in Grimsargh. From here a mini-bus took us and several others to join the large coach in Grimsargh and off we went Settle, picking up in the Clitheroe area. Soon we were on the platform at Clitheroe Railway station waiting for the train.
Over the old station bridge and a few minutes later the train arrived.
Not long after the train left Clitihroe we were riding over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. Rather an odd outing as it's advertised purpose was to encompass the Nationally famous viaduct. We couldn't see it. It was under the train ????
"Did you see it Kath and Mike?" "No."
"Did You see it Barbara and Danny?" "No"
All happily at Carlisle Station. The train journey had been rather longer than we had anticipated and all the statioms were the same
We were immediately surrounded by Red Sandstone buildings possibly scavenged fron the knocked down Priory.
John was temporarily startled by his railway ticket. It was ONE WAY ! How do we get home ? The coach will drive up to Carlisle to bring us back silly..... OH! !
By now the sun was shining and the large Triangular Square... ( Eh ?) was decidedly handsome . In fact the comment that it was almost continental was expressed several times.
By the time we arrived it the square it was well after noon and a cafe was sought. Down a side street we found one. the "Paradiso" which was friendly, and served excellent food in adequate portions.
Our next target was the Carlisle Cathedral which originally was....
"The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity"
Carlisle Cathedral is the second smallest in England. You are now wondering which Cathedral is the smallest.................................... So am I 😄
It was originally a priory but much has changed both religiously and structurally. Particularly during the time of HenryVIII and later the Civil Wars.
One of the Cathedral's volunteers explaining to Danny how the bells worked.
The rather beautiful "Star Spangled " ceiling.
Mike admiring he "Brass Eagle" Lectern. What is the significance of the Eagle.
John the Evanglist spoke "Soaring" words from the pulpit. The eagle soars so the eagle represents John the evangelist and/or his teachings
The VERY large stained glass window
If you look very carefully you will see a black circle some 70ft (?) above. That is the floor the bell ringers use (NOT for me)
Taking the stairs from the cafe you find yourself in the Fratry. The ancient Dining Hall. The three statues in the niches at the far end are modern and are entitled "Childline to God" Can't see Esther Rantzen or any Mobile phones though.
It took me a while to spot that each figure carried a child.
What's left of the old Priory. Stones were taken to repair part of the newly named Cathedral, to strengthen the Castle and as part of the fabric of the town.
This Old Postbox is actually Modern one and has been placed here to celebrate the first ever street postbox in England.
Returning to the Station through one of the twin toweres leading to the square.
The past was at times quite grusome and violent throughout the kingdom. The last hangman in england was Albert Pierrepoint who had connections with Preston, Lancashire.
The coach waitng for us in between one of the round towers and the staition.
A lovely day was somewhat marred by a four and a half hour journey home, The M6 Motorway was completely closed because of a bad. The alternative routes of course were clogged by traffic leaving the M6. The coach drver very sensible stopped at intervals to allow his mainly elderly passengers to visit toilets.
Late home but nevertheless a a lovely visit to a surprisingly attractive town.
Lets hope our next foray does not continue the theme and turn into
"A Bridge Over Troubled Waters."
or worse
"The Bridge of Sighs"
See you all next Thursday or would you all rather play
"BRIDGE"
😉
JW
