York, Trains and views.

View of part of main hall at railway museum 

View inc Fire station

View inc York Minster

 York has been one of the main northern cities in England for many years. The walled city has been fought over for years, by Romans, Vikings, Saxons, anyone and everyone really.

It is home to many museums, a general social museum opposite Clifford tower, The National Railway museum, The dungeons and the Yorvik museum, about the viking history of the city.

My favourite place to visit however is the cities art gallery,  in front of which is a statue of my favourite artist. William Etty was from york and he painted the usual landscapes and portraits of the time. He was best known though for his nudes. It is the skin that just seems somehow illuminated from within. It is as if he has captured something of the soul of the sitter. They are not in anyway 2d or diminished, but still very much alive. My favourites are, Male Crouching, The Combat, and a painting who's name I can't remember, (something about Saint Peter I think) of a male nude with ropes. The flesh is so real if you were allowed to touch it I suspect I would be surprised to find it isn't warm. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take pictures in the gallery, so you will have to go there to see how truly beautiful they are.William Etty born 1787 died 1849. 

View of museum from Clifford Tower

Whitby bay and NewcastleWhitby

Whitby Abbey 

Abbey ruins

 Today I am sharing pictures from a trip I took last year around the north east of England. Whitby is a quaint harbour, famed for being the place that Dracula is said to have landed in England at. At halloween  lots of folk in gothic or vampire costumes visit the harbour and the spectacular Abbey ruins. The Abbey is reached from the harbour up a quite short but very steep walk, much of which is steps. The views from the top are magnificent and beautiful.

I also visited Newcastle. A historic city, it's river front in particular is spectacular. The millenium bridge and many of the buildings are lit up in a constantly changing an hypnotic show. It is also well worth visiting the Sage and Baltic art gallery, not just for the art displayed, but also the architecture of the Sage and the incredible views from the Baltic.

Newcastle's Millenium bridge with the Baltic art gallery behind

(Unfortunately the fog/mist/low cloud and rain today have made new photography difficult today. I hope you enjoy this selection from my trip- They were taken October 2012)

The Millenium bridge, seen from the Baltic

Another view of Whitby Abbey

The harbour at Whitby

Newcastles millenium bridge with the Sage centre behind