Street artists are defiant. Many street artists shun and scorn the wealthy and elitist “gallery art.” Often, they cross the boundary of ownership, the private space is no longer private. Instead, that space becomes public canvas. As a result, some street artists are arrested for defying that boundary. With all the serious actions and themes, …
Continue reading 373. London Street Art: Playfulness and Beauty
The English language can be fascinating. Anybody who travels to England will immediately notice something about the accents, the selection and use of words, the almost universal “politeness” of the English people. In addition to the conversations included in previous posts, I’m writing a separate post for “words” spoken and overheard. In traveling through many …
When I began long-distance walks, I slowly realized that I see more of a village, town, or city than I usually did. Walking allows me to walk down streets that a car trip wouldn’t suggest; walking allows me to take short cuts across small parks where locals gather and talk. One of the results of …
“Do you have J.B. Priestley’s English Journeys?” “Give me a moment. We’ve had the book in the past. Let me look.” “You do, wonderful! I’ll take it!” I confess. I love books. As a bookbinder, my paternal grandfather probably loved books. Thinking back, I regret that we didn't keep some of my grandfather's bookbinding tools. …
Durham Cathedral guide Maureen I wonder what tour guides think of us, their tour participants. While a legitimate question, I’m too committed to their value for us to ask that question. Here are some of my experiences with tour guides. Clive, at Norwich Cathedral, wants to be perfectly clear. “The purpose of this magnificent building …
Durham I’m not alone in loving Durham Cathedral. As I cross the bridge from my lodging, I see the cathedral’s towers above the River Wear. What a setting! I walk through the old city, past the old castle, and arrive at the cathedral’s entrance. I notice not just any cathedral door knocker, but a large, …
Continue reading 361. Durham Cathedral’s Space: Inserting Living Awareness
Not everybody takes a Journey between their First Journey and their Final Journey. As an Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop, and finally, hermit, I walked and walked. Born as a shepherd’s son, I knew the hard life of my folk. When I became a monk, I often walked to the most remote, rugged, and impoverished areas. Somebody …
Continue reading 360. Durham and St Cuthbert: Between the First and the Last Journey
Manchester Mural Textile Hands Let me show you around the Manchester People’s Museum. Who am I? I’m Tom Paine. Emmeline Pankhurst joins me. Since you are a long-distance walker, you see a lot; however, your view is limited. You do notice ordinary people, especially their everyday features. Their work. Their modes of traveling. Their food. …
Humans wander through my land as they descend from the Pennine Hills. The floodplains of my rivers, the Irwell, the Irk, the Medlock, become their home. I become a city thanks to the Romans. In 70CE, they make themselves a strategic settlement. I’m at a major crossroad going to settlements west and settlements east. When …
After visiting Fountain Abbey and Studley Gardens (yes, the gardens are named Studley), Mary and I return to York. Mary heads to our hotel; I head to the York Railroad Museum. Given the historical importance, and the almost cult-like importance for some train fanatics, I have to visit the museum. Railroads improved mobility. Railroads changed …
