Several of you have commented in the last couple of days about the impressive architecture in the background of the shots - well here it is, York Minster, or most of it, since it's quite hard to get it all in a shot without a wide angle lens.
This particular Minster building dates back to 1220AD, although there is evidence of a church on this site from 627AD, and a Christian presence in York from around 180AD.
This is the south side of the building, with one of the western towers on the left and the central tower near the middle.
The south transept is closest to the camera, and it was the roof of this transept that was destroyed by fire in July 1984, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. Fortunately the heroic efforts of the emergency services prevented the fire spreading further through the building, although it was a massive job to restore the south transept.
Maintenance and restoration is an ongoing task, and you can see scaffolding on the right of the picture. At the moment there is scaffolding on three sides of the building, with the largest being on the east end, where restoration of the massive stained glass window has been going on for several years.
Ian, thanks for reminding me how beautiful this building is - I'm always awed by how our ancestors had the faith to overcome almost unsurmountable odds to construct these wonderful buildings.
Wow, so many of you have been kind enough to comment - and all your comments and favs are very much appreciated!
Richard, the thing that amazes me about the building of the Minster is that the masons who started the work, and several further generations, would never see it completed - they really were looking to the future!
Wow, so many of you have been kind enough to comment - and all your comments and favs are very much appreciated!
Richard, the thing that amazes me about the building of the Minster is that the masons who started the work, and several further generations, would never see it completed - they really were looking to the future!
Ian