Bath – Reviewing the Walk

Posted on 07/10/201713/10/2017 by Alastair

Bath Abbey sits, as you might expect, in the centre of the city. The Roman Baths are next to it and while I took a shot of the baths ceiling with its dome, I didn’t have the time to justify the cost of entry and I am sorry to say I didn’t go into the abbey either. So now I have an excellent excuse to revisit the place, and next time I will take my family – and if that’s not a good recommendation of the place, I don’t don’t what is!

So my original reason for going to Bath was to see the Contemporary Tapestry: Here and Now exhibition at the Holburne Museum. I was able to take a very enjoyable look at the city as well – its parks and architecture, its quiet and more noisy areas. On my home, prompted by my viewing of the tapestry exhibition,Continue reading→

Reflections on Bath

Posted on 06/10/201704/10/2017 by Alastair

Moving into the centre of town from the parks on my walk this week in Bath, I found the place busy with tourists, but not over crowded (thank goodness!). I understand that Jane Austen did not like Bath, though that has not stopped the city making good use of their association with the famous author.

However, I have to say that I did like it – it was a nice day which always helps of course – but it was lively with some great classical architecture and the bath stone used almostContinue reading→

My Walk this Week – Bath

Posted on 03/10/201702/10/2017 by Alastair

My walk this week is around Bath in the south west of England – a town famous for its Roman baths and spas and also for its place in literature, specifically the wonderful classic books of Jane Austen – see here.

I was in Bath was to go see the Tapestry: Here and Now exhibition at the Holburne Museum and attend tapestry weaving symposium held there – The Narrative of Tapestry. The view above is from the museum looking down Great Pulteney Street. Continue reading→

Over and On the River – Bridges and Rowers in York

Posted on 20/09/201716/09/2017 by Alastair

My walk this week took me down the River Ouse to Skeldergate Bridge in the city of York. After climbing up to the bridge from the east bank of the river I first crossed over the bridge and then the road to descend and go under the bridge and continue my walk back along the west bank.

Along my way into town I passed a team of four rowers practicing their craft on the Ouse and heading out in the direction of the Millennium Bridge where I had first crossed the river.Continue reading→

Floating in the Marina

Posted on 08/09/201701/09/2017 by Alastair

Returning through Swansea Marina on my walk this week didn’t mean I was floating on the water but did allowed me to enjoy the many complex and fluid patterns to be found there.

The masts and rigging, the architecture – both old and new – and of course the water patterns and reflections of the surrounding structures, whether maritime or land based. Continue reading→

A Perspective on Walls

Posted on 06/09/201701/09/2017 by Alastair

Continuing on my walk this week along Swansea beach the promenade wall and sea defence is made of concrete. To some this may not be the most exciting of materials to look at but interesting things have often been done with in in architecture.

Swansea sea wall has sections that are embossed with selected maritime words but the words I have focussed on in these images have been scratched into the surface which seems to me more in keeping with the materials (as with the embossed words) than the more normal painted graffiti. Continue reading→

Aberystwyth Framed

Posted on 07/04/201701/04/2017 by Alastair

I like this shot of Aberystwyth framed by one of the structures on the beach – not the pier but another walkway that extends out into the waves. The variation of scale or perception of it is one of the most interesting things to me, with the heavy concrete pillars in the foreground and the buildings appearing almost like toys or models in front of the massive scale of the hill directly behind.Continue reading→

Seafront Architecture

Posted on 05/04/201731/03/2017 by Alastair

The seafront architecture of Victorian times in Welsh or British towns is very different to that enjoyed(?) by visitors to seaside resorts on the mediterranean coast and many other places these days. The repeating patterns of what once were hotels and B & Bs, many of which are now student accommodation, is still attractive to visitors and to my mind somewhat less vulgar than the repeated tower blocks lining a modern seafront. But the point of this accommodation in both current and bygone eras was to be affordable for the masses and the relative price of package holidays to beaches around the world reflects this.Continue reading→

Category Archives: Architecture