Thursday 30 April 2009

Masonic Mystery ?

I am a huge Dan Brown fan and am eagerly awaiting Angels & Demons to be released at the cinema in a couple of weeks.
Like the Da Vinci Code, I know the film will not be a patch on the book but I still can't wait. After that we have his new book that it set to be released on September 15th. The release date is supposed to be significant for his new novel based upon the secrecy of masons.


I came across this tombstone in St Peters churchyard in Salzburg & it fired up my imagination. What do the masonic type symbols, skull and triangle signify ? Very intriguing...

Wednesday 29 April 2009

On top of the world...

Such a feelins comin over me..
There is wonder in most everything I see..
Not a cloud in the sky..
Got the sun in my eyes..
And I wont be surprised if its a dream....

(The Carpenters 'On top of the World' 1973)

Today I worked in a different part of the hospital than I usually do & I really enjoyed working with different people in a new environment. I feel it has done me a world of good. Sometimes you just have to do something different to lift that stuck in a rut feeling that surfaces from time to time...

This photo is taken from the Kapitelplatz, Salzburg looking up at Hohensalzburg Fortress. A new sculpture in front of the medieval building, does it work ?

Monday 27 April 2009

The hills are alive...

Salzburg now is equal to Rome in my list of favourite destinations. I'm sure there will be lots more blogs featuring our visit to this beautiful city.
This is the view from the top of the Untersberg 1805m above sea level. (Don't worry we took the cable car). The mountain marks the border between Austria and Germany and is not far from Hitlers eagles nest.
After climbing the last few metres to the summit, being knee deep in snow in places we basked in the hot sun with beer and ice cream enjoying the views of Salzburg below.
Don't forget you can click on the photos to see a larger version.

Monday 20 April 2009

Where are you going ?

Another photo from a day in Lincoln. Heading out of the town centre you pass under this bridge. On the other side as you enter the town it asks 'where have you been ?' I keep expecting to see something a little further on saying 'missing you already'.

Anyway this question is very appropriate as I start packing for another adventurous weekend. this time the destination is Salzburg, Austria, a place I have wanted to visit since watching The Sound of Music as a young girl.

Sunday 19 April 2009

The Glory Hole

For once it didn't rain when we visited Lincoln...

The university home of my eldest daughter was bathed in glorious sun for the day.


Walking alongside the River Witham here, there were groans from the family... "oh no shes got the camera out again"

This Tudor High Bridge sits in the town centre, pass up the narrow stairs to the right of the building and you are confronted with the Car Phone Warehouse.

Built around 1160 The bridge is the oldest medieval bridge in England that still has houses built upon it.

The narrow opening created by the arch of High Bridge is known as the 'Glory Hole'. In medieval times it was also called the 'Murder Hole', as bodies thrown into the Witham would wash ashore at this spot.

Aptly my daughter is studying Criminology !

Wednesday 15 April 2009

A Whiter Shade of Pale

We skipped a light fandango...
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor...
Who can forget the lyrics of Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale ? even though I wasn't born in '67 when it was released.
Yesterday it was announced this song has topped the chart of most played songs of the last 75 years, beating Queens Bohemian Rhapsody which came in at number 2. (The Guardian).
No shocks to see Robbie Williams' Angels in the top 10 too, but was surprised Led Zeppelins' Stairway to Heaven doesn't make an appearance.
I guess my most played track has to be something off Marillions' Misplaced Childhood album.
Whats yours ?

Todays photo is of my very own Kayley who turns 20 next week with her whiter shade of pale man on the banks of the Thames.

Tuesday 14 April 2009

Back to Reality

After 10 days off work over Easter it was back to reality with a bang today with a 11 hr shift plus an evening "on call".
Todays photo is one taken from a family trip to London several years ago. These human statues are amazing. They were also the theme behind this years winning UK WinterGuard 'NAPA', last week, where each dancer bronzed up to represent someone from history... a fantastic show well executed.

Monday 13 April 2009

Heaven on Earth

Ok still on the religious theme, A survey reveals that 55% of people believe there is a heaven. I find that figure surprisingly high... It would be interesting to know whether age affects the results, did the 55% of believers have a higher average age than the non-believers ?
The survey also reports that only 52% of people asked believed in life after death. It would be interesting to question the 3% that believe in heaven but not life after death !
You can read more on the survey here.
Anyway todays photo is from a visit to Plitvice Lakes in Croatia last September, a little piece of heaven on earth... well it would have been if we were the only ones there.

Sunday 12 April 2009

Happy Easter

Some interesting pictures of Easter today on the BBC website. The photo of Pope Benedict saying mass as St Peters reminded me of a visit I made to the Vatican some years ago...
Now I'm not a religious person but this place had and aura about it as we gathered for pope John Pauls' Sunday blessing of the crowds. The only trouble being that by this time the Pope was so old he appeared to doze off several times during the reading...
Via the zoom of my camera (above photo) you could see the Pope being prodded back into action! Why do Popes have to be so old ? Surely the 'main man' should be someone in the prime of their life ?

Saturday 11 April 2009

Custard Says...

"Hello"
Thought maybe i'd give this blog lark a go... just don't know what to put here yet !