Saturday 20 August 2011

Winchester Cathedral - The New Vaudeville Band

The past 3 days weather could be described as a sandwich of sunshine, with the deluge of Thursday giving way to a real Summer day yesterday, with the rain returning again this morning. Our plan had been to enjoy some of the beauty of what is the rolling Hampshire countryside and the patchwork of tiny villages. Alresford with its red-brick cottages complete with seemingly neglected gardens teeming with herbaceous plants.

The River Itchen was alive with young Mallard and a few

Mute Swans

while Brown Trout swam up and down the shallows.

The picturesque 13th Century 'Fulling Mill' was thought well deserving of a shot or two,

while the notice in the gable end pointed to the consequences of 'poaching'.

The rear of the property was equally attractive.

'Blink;, and you would likely miss Ovington Village

but like so many of England's tiny hamlets the Church, as usual, is of impressive proportions. The rain was now spoiling things, so bringing our plan forward an hour or two we headed for

Winchester the city having been dubbed Venta Belgarum by the Romans.

The imposing Cathedral was considered 'top priority' for a visit, reminding me of telling my daughters the story below and bringing them here in their early years.

Restoration work was carried out by T.G. Jackson during the years 1905–1912, including the famous saving of the building from total collapse. Some waterlogged foundations on the south and east walls were reinforced by a diver, William Walker, packing the foundations with more than 25,000 bags of concrete, 115,000 concrete blocks, and 900,000 bricks. Walker worked six hours a day from 1906 to 1912 in total darkness at depths up to 6 metres (20 ft), and is credited with saving the cathedral from total collapse. For his troubles he was awarded the Royal Victorian Order.

Winchester Cathedral Interior

This bronze statue of Diver William Walker lies inside the cathedral.

City Clock

Butter Cross

Bronze of Naked Male Rider on a Horse.

The Law Courts (likely known as the Bloody Assizes in Judge Jeffery's day)

What remains of the Medieval City Gates - front

and back.

City Council Buildings

and King Arthur's Seat

The Round Table baring the names of all Arthur's Knights.

Stainless Steel Doors

and Queen Victoria Monument.

So many of the city building are constructed of this pains taking, intricate Flint Work that it was thought appropriate to add a 'detail' photograph.

and a view down the Main Street.