Backpackering 11- Day 3

An amble through the Shambles, passing between 500 year old houses

followed by an attempt to walk the 2,000 year old wall. But the day was far too hot in the heatwave to walk in the sun. How often could you write that in the uk?

Backpackering 11- Day 2

 

A must do visit to the Railway Museum, first to the Station Hall to take stroll down the platform

leaving Gek 

waiting for my return with a cup of something,

passing on the way, the couple from Chariots of Fire at their meeting after his return from the games in Paris. York station was used as the filming location for this scene. 

Right, now over to the Great Hall 

for to see the history of the steam locomotive. 

A pose just to give an idea of their size.

The special one we came to see, Mallard, the LNER Class 4 loco. She holds the world speed  record for a steam loco, reaching 126 mph in 1938. She was our favourite to 'spot' on our trips to Doncaster, back when........

Today, 200 mph, many times a day.

Now, here is an interesting find. In the 1950s, this overhead electric loco replaced steam ones, running between Manchester and Sheffield. Me and my mates used that service back then. Why has it taken so long for overhead wiring to be the norm?

Next, a visit with a different look at the past, York Art Gallery. 

The view towards the Minster across a City Gate.

The special exhibition on, was of Japanese Block Printing.

The famous Great Wave. Look closely and you see in the background Mount Fuji and closer, a cluster of boats about to be drenched. 

Wood block printing involves carving a template for each colour in the picture, and adding them one after the other. Amazing. 

The ones on show were mainly from the 19th century. The subject of the images  is interesting too.

The elite guard of female samurai, shown here, were responsible for protecting the women who occupied the inner palace of a castle. 1896

Backpackering 11 - Day 1

 

After taking a lunch break at Birmingham's Mount Fuji Restaurant,  our favour, we railed on to York.

Although I came here in my early teens  trainspotting, I do not remember this quirky clock.

First visit to view York's 13th century Clifford Tower, but way to hot to attempted the climb 

The Latest M & E

 The M.

The E.

Gek's Birthday

 

A cute greeting from Clara 

and the cards from the Court. 

Strange Beauties.

Gwen's portrait by
 her brother Augustus. 

An exhibition of over 200 works by Gwen at the Cardiff Museum to mark the 150 years since her birth. 

Including her famous atic room, 

an unusually detailed portrait of her landlady 

and evidence  of her love of cats.

The Waverley is Back

 

Coming round Lavernock Point from Minehead 

to pass big brother on the way out to sea

and Flat Holmes  island

before paddling on

to Penarth Pier.

Turner Gallery Visit

 

Imaginative as ever.

Sprouting

 

Sunflowers 14 days since seeds planted.

On to Penarth

 

Landing at 5-20am we made our way to Paddington Station,

Isambard's master piece.

Last Day on the Little Red Dot

 

Meeting up with family on the way to Changi with gifts from Clara's children,

we chilled out at Audrey's place

being entertained by her two kids

before John drove us to the airport to see the Jewel 

have an ice-cream 

and say our goodbyes before boarding. 

Lak Hai's Birthday.

 

A teochew lunch with the 79 year old.

Last Major Refurb Job

 

Water seepage repair.

 

CCS colleagues meet up 

at the Singapore Island Country Club.

Jig Done

 

10 days of puzzling over 1,000 pieces.

Gek's Singapore Apartment.

 

Bedroom two,

bedroom one,

kitchen with dining area,

and lounge ready for letting.  

Meeting Jane and Family

 

For a very nice home cooked dinner with the newly weds.