Last Tuesday we enjoyed a momentous family gathering. Our Antipodean cousins had crossed the world and we had travelled just a few miles east to meet up in York. (The story behind all this excitement can be found here.) They stayed in the historic Dutch House, reputed to be the oldest brick-built house in York. Their son (at present completing a doctorate at Oxford) had organised the accommodation, cleverly providing them with as much experience of the old country as possible. Every few minutes groups of tourists gazed up at their house - they checked out the bricks and we pretended we were invisible.
The Dutch House is a stone's throw (or a brick's lob) from York Minster which proved to be a perfect place for soaking up Olde English culture, whilst getting acquainted with new rellies. Our cousins were buzzing with the excitement of seeing history in three dimensions and so, as always, were we.
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For good or ill, the Minster has changed and no longer has a solemn atmosphere - everywhere the ancient is juxtaposed with the positively brand new.
A clever automaton amused us all for just 50p.
"No Mr N, it isn't a UFO that's forgotten it's way home..."
It was in fact a small, glowing chamber where we could get very close to original sections of medieval stained glass, observing detail usually only seen by long-sighted contortionists.
Down in the undercroft we could see the foundations of this huge building. We shivered at the thought of tons of carved Yorkshire limestone (from Tadcaster) balanced above our insignificant human flesh - like frail gnat's bodies beneath a giant's fickle fingers. Thankfully the Minster's fabulous treasures, displayed on clever disembodied hands, diverted our thoughts...
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My second favourite old/new combo on the day was this...
...a parade of delicate and disturbing headless saints, made by artist Terry Hammill in 2004, doing semaphore in their high Gothic niches. What could they be saying?
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My favourite is pictured below!
The new Australian and the old English family.
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What a really interesting post Nilly all the more so because it was about your family. How incredible to be able to stay in such a place even if you did feel in a goldfish bowl! Your images of the Minster are fantastic, I really love the new figures, they fit so well. A memorable day and a great family photo to put in the album. p.s. love your outfit! x
ReplyDeleteYes - I thought those figures were really good. It was a shame that the ancient, spiritual atmosphere I used to love has rather disappeared though.
DeleteI am curious........did the mixing of the old and the new enhance your experience or detract from it? Those windows are beautiful and to see them so close up.....not something we usually get to do. (By the way......you are looking charming as always!!)
ReplyDeleteOn the whole I think it detracted. I've fond memories of student days, sitting on a stone step in Canterbury Cathedral drawing Gothic arches while the organist practised Bach. The whole place reverberated with the sound - the windows, architecture, tombs etc.
DeletePeople wandered in awe or sat in contemplation - a sense of wonder was everywhere.
The first comment here says exactly what I was going to say!!!! Your posts always are interesting too and I also love your outfit!
ReplyDeleteThank you - I hope they are a bit of fun too!
DeleteNilly from your posts to your kindest comments, to seeing you in the photograph, I must say...You are always so 'cool', my friend! I too LOVE how you dress! Wonderfully interesting post, and I kinda like the old with the new here....I am always amazed at the craftsman ship from the past, people must have dedicated there life's and souls to building such beauty. Oh my hasn't it stood the test of time...With kind thoughts...Maria x
ReplyDeleteYes - I'm always amazed by the scale of these buildings - how did they build them so high?
DeleteI was busy working out the semaphore not knowing that scrolling down a bit further gave the answer - yes I always think how stylish you look - So much information in this post and very nicely presented.
ReplyDeleteI love your interesting posts too Rosemary. And I'm in awe of your wonderful gardening skills!
DeleteIt's a while since I was at the Minster - it's looking super-interesting and you've given us some wonderful images! I adore those semaphoring (can it be a verb?) saints - they are so cool! (- though I think I'd have been tempted to a more subversive message...)
ReplyDeleteGreat family photo to finish with - and what a great place to stay. All good, all good. Thank you Nilly!
Axxx
I'm with you on the semaphoring! Just think what fun could be had, assuming those who could translate it had a sense of humour.
DeleteI worked and lived in York for a few years a lovely city
ReplyDeleteIt still is John, with a lively, arty vibe too.
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