tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post5488413107699863097..comments2024-02-09T06:24:16.626+00:00Comments on upside down in cloud: the oldest spoonbill in SomersetDru Marlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03697874363783821382noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-2209302836640068472012-04-16T06:46:48.239+01:002012-04-16T06:46:48.239+01:00Me too, Delia; coming home and reading up on what ...Me too, Delia; coming home and reading up on what I've seen, throws up more interesting things that need exploring further. Like the Bishop Kidder monument, which I believe Deborah is writing something about even now...<br /><br />Yes, hard to know about the mindset of the cathedral's creators, Bella; but reading literature of the time or earlier, I was struck by how very recognisable were the people writing or described. I don't think people have changed very much, especially the rude mechanicals!<br /><br />The hares are beautifully smooth, Gretel; though the whole monument is more thoroughly graffitied than any other in the building. Funny; the bish seems to have attracted everyone with a penknife and an idle moment!<br /><br />The steps up to the chapterhouse are very striking, Caroline; but I was concentrating on the little things, as you suggested. Next time, if I can stump up the six pounds something to go into the bishop's palace, I hope to get a picture of the sign under a cedar, next to one of the eponymous wells; the sign says "the view from here is the most-photographed in England". I sat under the tree with Richard, sheltering from the rain, some time ago; whenever someone came along, they would pause, read the sign, and then take out their camera and obediently snap the view....<br /><br />I get the feeling that the workmen were allowed quite a bit of licence, Anji, especially if they were particularly proficient. Hence sheela na gigs, and so much other rather dodgy statuary that snuck its way into so many churches!<br /><br />I particularly like the spoonbill because of that suggestion of a more watery past, Gwynneth, before the Levels were tamed (as far as they have been, anyway). I didn't think, the first time I saw it, that the birds would return so soon...Dru Marlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03697874363783821382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-8821137968730992922012-04-15T16:37:08.271+01:002012-04-15T16:37:08.271+01:00It was a good way of getting local history recorde...It was a good way of getting local history recorded (and telling stories). So valuable to us nowgzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034777779347889773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-52554442959474302542012-04-15T16:16:25.297+01:002012-04-15T16:16:25.297+01:00I love these pictures. I wonder if the workmen ju...I love these pictures. I wonder if the workmen just did what they fancied when they had an. odd space that wasn't needed for a Saint or something importantAnjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02562210585479814093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-78214706549996793662012-04-15T11:36:32.129+01:002012-04-15T11:36:32.129+01:00I used to have this place on a wish list because j...I used to have this place on a wish list because just about my all time favourite photograph is a sea of steps by Frederic Evans, then I read that he traveled with a blacksmith who could remove any bits stuck to the building which offended him... English cathedrals always seem to have loads of junk and old military flags draped about, prefer wrench which only tend to stick in ugly sound systems ignoring the wonderful old acoustics!<br /><br />Love the pictures of the carvings, perhaps concentrating on the details is best...Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02133031265351841626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-83617621263488319762012-04-15T10:06:51.862+01:002012-04-15T10:06:51.862+01:00Oh, what a wonderful place! Have never been and no...Oh, what a wonderful place! Have never been and now it's gone down on my list of must-see-one-day. The spoonbill is beautiful, though the hares are - of course - my favourite.Gretelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-59795052871495140732012-04-15T09:48:02.516+01:002012-04-15T09:48:02.516+01:00Once again I had to search for the meaning on one ...Once again I had to search for the meaning on one of your words (puissant). It would be nice to think I am learning something new, but as very little seems to stick recently I am afraid it is likely to be all in vain.<br /><br />It is interesting to see this place through another's eyes;having visited myself. I love that farmer seeing his goose being stolen. I see it as a bit of fun but it makes me wonder who decided on the allegory for the carvings and if we see them in the mindset for which they are intended.Flotsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06667133671787405215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2448752251053894818.post-23186584488945371342012-04-15T09:47:27.268+01:002012-04-15T09:47:27.268+01:00hmm - thought I'd posted earlier. oh well, he...hmm - thought I'd posted earlier. oh well, here it is again, more or less:<br /><br />You do realize that I have to go to Wells and see these for myself now, don't you?!Deliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05338581030767010135noreply@blogger.com