The Memory of Place

Churches in York are used for many things other than worship: a coffee shop, an over 60's centre, a nightclub. St Mary's, Castlegate, is used as an art gallery, or "art space". This is the current installation, a pool of water with candles on it.

The Shambles

I lived in York last year, but never really took many photos, so it's good to return and do some proper "tourist" shots, like this famous medieval street, known as "The Shambles".

York Minster

York Minster, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

A classic view of one of Britain's finest cathedrals, York Minster.

A novel way of crossing a river

A novel way of crossing a river, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

Me in front of the Middlesbrough Transporter bridge. They can't afford a proper bridge here, so they built a small section and move it across the river!

Whitby

Whitby, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

A day out at the seaside town of Whitby, setting of Dracula and a hundred fish and chip shops. As we walked up the pier, this replica ship came past. But James and Richard got a bit of a shock when I took a picture and, on hitting the button, the Earth shook with cannon fire! You can still see the smoke dispersing.

Morecambe

Morecambe, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

Having missed my ferry by about ten minutes, I'm stuck in Morecambe for the night (thanks, Virgin trains). For those of you who've never seen Morecambe before, it looks a bit like this. I'm staying in the pink house.

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

Where do they find all these random rocks to build castles on?

Back on the road

Back on the road, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

Every town has one thing that makes it stand out. It could be anything - a park, a church, a street, a tree. It's usually not something you expect, but you know it as soon as you see it, and then you go 'ah, so that's why I'm here'. In Berwick-upon-Tweed, it's the cascade of bridges that caught my imagination. The first was built on the orders of James I, in 1611. The one behind it is a modern road bridge, and behind that the magnificent railway bridge, built in 1847-50 by Robert Stephenson (with his bare hands).

Wallsend

Wallsend, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

No, this isn't an industrial wastelane. It's Wallsend, the home of on the left, one of the world's great historical shipyards, and on the right the excavations of the Roman fort of Segedunum, the eastern terminus of Hadrian's Wall. Also a surprisingly good visitor centre, which serves Thai curry for lunch.

Back in England

Back in England, originally uploaded by British Traveller.

Six weeks ago, I left the comforts of the motherland behind for the wilds of Scotland. Now the lonely traveller returns, to the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where I've teamed up for this weekend only with a couple of old acquaintances. Newcastle, the home of the resilient Geordies (even torrential rain couldn't stop them coming out in their droves to sample the Friday nightlife), has as its centrepiece 'The Monument', dedicated to prime minister Earl Grey. And yes, the tea is named after him too.