After visiting the cathedral and its treasures, we wandered over to the Black and White House, through the last of the fair rides and booths. The Black and White House Built in 1621 as a residence and shop, the house narrowly escaped the destruction in the early 1800s and was left standing alone. Afterward, it… Continue reading Hereford, 5 May, continued
Tag: Galleries & museums GB
Hereford Cathedral, 5 May
The principal building of Hereford Cathedral dates from the 11th century, but there is evidence of church buildings from the seventh century. A beautiful building, it is still a cultural and spiritual center for the region. Besides its manuscript treasures, the Cathedral also houses relics of two saints: St. Ethelbert and St. Thomas Cantilupe. The… Continue reading Hereford Cathedral, 5 May
Hereford: Mappa Mundi
You would not use the Mappa Mundi to create a travel plan. Even in the Middle Ages, long before the plotting of latitude and longitude, there were navigational charts and land maps with some degree of accuracy.The Mappa Mundi, instead, represents an idea of the world and what it contains. Accordingly, the map portrays not… Continue reading Hereford: Mappa Mundi
Edinburgh, 27 April
In which we visit the castle and the National Gallery Edinburgh Castle A statue honoring Field Marshall Douglas Haig stands outside National War Museum of Scotland. He was nicknamed “Butcher Haig” not because of enemy casualties, but for the two million British casualties suffered under his command. The National War Museum of Scotland has fascinating… Continue reading Edinburgh, 27 April
Edinburgh, 25-26 April
A short train ride from Berwick-upon-Tweed, we arrived in Edinburgh and caught a taxi to our apartment-hotel, near the castle. After getting settled, we wandered up the hill to Lawnmarket, where we had decent beer and indifferent savoury pies at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern. William Brodie (1741-88) was a respected tradesman by day and a criminal… Continue reading Edinburgh, 25-26 April
London 21 April, Courthauld Gallery
While we waited for our timed entry to the Van Gogh exhibit, we enjoyed perusing their collection of Impressionists, one of the most famous and interesting being A Bar at the Folies Bergères. One has seen many prints/digital copies, but until seeing the actual painting never appreciated how sad she looks. I’d interpreted her expression… Continue reading London 21 April, Courthauld Gallery
London, 21 April, National Gallery
St Martin-in-the-FieldsTook a taxi (Black Cab, of course) to the National Gallery with a chatty driver, who had severe opinions about the pedestrianization of many London areas, because construction creates traffic jams. There really is no need for private cars in densely populated cities when you have good public transport and taxis. We got out… Continue reading London, 21 April, National Gallery