Daily Photos from Winchester

Boot scraper

2012-01-22T21:42:00.001Z

An old fashioned boot scraper seen outside a house in Hyde. Sorry for lack of postings I have been away last week with work & at other times just downright lazy!

Stained glass

2012-01-15T14:20:00.001Z

Not as impressive as the cathedral but spotted this window when out today

Near the Cathedral

2012-01-09T17:30:00.001Z

Part of the Itchen River that flows close to the Cathedral.

Excuse the photo quality it was taken on a phone!

Where once there was an ice rink

2012-01-08T19:44:00.001Z

I passed by the cathedral close where the ice rink had been up until a week or so ago. You can see the state of the grass that it was sat upon, but grass is pretty hardy and I bet before no time you'll hardly know it was there.

Judges bench

2012-01-07T08:34:00.000Z

The Great Hall has been used as a court throughout the years. Sir Walter Raleigh was condemned to death here in 1603 (later reprieved). This is a 19th century judges bench which was used in the adjoining law courts.

Spot the new bench

2012-01-06T08:56:00.001Z

***I am away at the moment so have scheduled this post, back at the weekend***

Twelfth Night

2012-01-05T21:32:00.005Z

Tonight is when all Christmas decorations should come down, so it's time to say goodbye to the Cathedral's Christmas tree,

***I am away at the moment so have scheduled this post, thanks for dropping by***

Jane Austen's house

2012-01-04T08:50:00.004Z

I have tried to get a photo of this Jane Austen's house for ages. Usually there is someone standing outside of it or a car parked there, granted this still isn't the best photo! It was here that the novelist Jane Austen, spent the last few weeks of her life. She had been living nearby at Chawton for several years, but in 1817 her health began to fail and she came to Winchester with her sister Cassandra to receive better medical care. However a few weeks later she died, and was buried at the Cathedral. The house is now a private home.

***I am away at the moment so have scheduled this post, back at the weekend***

Street light

2012-01-03T08:41:00.008Z

Ornamental lights outside the the council offices at the Great Hall
***I am away at the moment so have scheduled this post, back at the weekend***

Broken?

2012-01-02T10:26:00.000Z

I had heard the other day that the Buttercross had been damaged. I went down there myself and couldn't see anything, but I think I was looking at the wrong side. (Excuse photo quality it was taken on my phone)

She's back

2012-01-01T08:31:00.005Z

I'm a bit slow off the mark, the statue of Queen Victoria has been back in The Great Hall since May, after being away up to London and the Royal Acadamy of Arts.

Westgate Inn

2011-12-31T08:26:00.006Z

The Westgate pub is funnily enough just across from the Westgate. The Inn was originally a private house and was converted in 1892. The pub used to be known as the Westgate Hotel until 2005 when it changed its name to the Westgate Inn to comply with EU regulations. It still has overnight accommodation and its rooms are named after famous people who have visited Winchester, such as Keats, Wren and Raleigh.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Favourite door

2011-12-30T08:20:00.011Z

In Sussex Street I have a favourite door - this is it. This light green colour is all the rage for front doors in Winchester! And I just knew that this one would have a lovely festive garland on it

Home decor

2011-12-29T08:15:00.008Z

Love those 'curtains', a new trend for 2012 perhaps! What do you think - students?

Light of Bengal

2011-12-28T09:02:00.001Z

It doesn't look like the classiest place, perhaps not the best choice for a first date? However the Light of Bengal does a very nice Indian take away and is the closest to home. Very useful when no-one wants to cook!

Quirky window

2011-12-27T14:59:00.001Z

When I walk to my piano lessons I pass by this house which has this unusual sculpture in the bedroom window! Well the sculpture is not unusual in itself but its location is!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:02:00.001Z

I know I have not kept up with the daily aspect of my blog recently! But thanks to everyone who has visited or commented its really appreciated. I think I am getting a new camera for Christmas so hopefully that will inspire me! Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Market has finished

2011-12-23T09:29:00.006Z

The Christmas Market is over now, it seemed to be more popular than ever this year.

New bollards?

2011-12-22T09:23:00.009Z

In the Brooks Centre there is a 'pop up shop art shop' where I noticed bollards being (re)painted. Here are in some of them in The Square.

Brooks Centre

2011-12-21T21:22:00.000Z

Here's a photo of the Christmas tree at the Brooks Shopping Centre, it has some lovely colours. Here are some of last year's decorations at the shopping centre

Ducks

2011-12-12T10:17:00.000Z

The Itchen River runs alongside the River Park Leisure Centre and there are always a lot of ducks around.

A wet Sunday

2011-12-11T22:41:00.000Z

It rained a fair amount this afternoon as you can see from this photo. I have also noticed over the past few weeks more and more market stalls in the High Street, they are actually sometimes a bit of a nuisance, especially when it is as busy as it has been in the last few days, crossing from one side of the street to another becomes very difficult at times, and it seems that shop owners aren't too happy either.

Skaters

2011-12-10T06:55:00.000Z

The ice rink in action this afternoon, pretty quiet which is good as skating with a whole bunch of people is not fun! The Independent newspaper has recently voted Winchester Ice Rink as the 2nd best in Britain!

War memorial

2011-12-09T08:20:00.000Z

The poppy wreaths were still in place at the war memorial in front of the cathedral, looking very bright on the misty morning that I was there

Misty path

2011-12-08T08:25:00.015Z

The path to the cathedral from The Square was shrouded in mist the other day. Here is the same view from last December!

Gravestones

2011-12-07T08:23:00.008Z

A a misty morning at the cathedral

Cryptic Post!

2011-12-06T07:03:00.007Z

I wish I could post more on what happened near our house 2 nights ago, but I'm not quite sure what it was! The label of this post gives some clues and I have been scouring local websites such as this one or this to find out what went on, but nothing so far! At the time it was very tempting to take photos but my other half said I might get in trouble (see here)! The next morning we found something highly suspicious in the location of this photo and believe it must be somehow connected to the previous night's activity...

Penguins on ice

2011-12-05T08:15:00.005Z

A spotted these penguins waiting on the ice rink before it opened, I'm not quite sure what they are for, any ideas?

Houses of Hyde

2011-12-04T07:45:00.020Z

These houses in Hyde Street have 4 stories by the looks of it, as you can see the basement 'window' at street level. One of these properties sold about a year ago for £345000. These houses have a flint and brick facade which quite a few houses in the Winchester area have.

Caracoli

2011-12-03T07:20:00.011Z

This is a new coffee shop that has just opened in Winchester. Despite the recession apparently the owners had to wait 2 years for a vacant unit in the High Street. The previous occupants Shakeaway have recently moved round the corner.

The cafe also serves lovely cakes I'm reliably informed that are made down the road in Twyford.

Leaves

2011-12-02T07:13:00.000Z

Leaves in the cathedral grounds

Grey

2011-12-01T07:11:00.004Z

The weather the other day was very wet and grey at the cathedral.

Christmas Market

2011-11-30T07:07:00.003Z

Some of the stalls at the Christmas market

Christmas

2011-11-29T17:11:00.001Z

The Christmas market & ice rink are now open and in full swing. Some photos from there tomorrow.

Christmas Tree

2011-11-20T17:55:00.000Z

In the High Street the Christmas tree has arrived along with the Christmas lights

New Co-op

2011-11-19T17:23:00.000Z

I hadn't noticed this before, but just round the corner from me a new Co-Op small supermarket has opened. The new shop is in City Road on the way to the station and opened on 10 days ago. The store is open from 0700-2300 every day.

Autumn day

2011-11-15T19:26:00.000Z

Last weekend outside the Cathedral

Christmas lights

2011-11-14T08:17:00.002Z

Last week in the High Street the Christmas lights were put up. They are not switched on yet, that comes on Thursday. This year's 'celebrities' are the cast of the Cinderella Christmas pantomime, the University of Winchester Choir, girl group Vanity and the main attraction of the night will be last year’s X-Factor Contestants, The Reason 4.

Remembrance Sunday

2011-11-13T20:01:00.001Z

At the Cathedral a service was held today to mark Remembrance Sunday when we remember those in the armed forces who have lost their lives in service. Just outside the Cathedral was this collection of crosses and poppies.

Chalet

2011-11-11T08:12:00.000Z

In a few weeks time when the Christmas Market opens this chalet will be one of nearly 100 selling any number of things such as Christmas decorations, hats, food, drink, art, gifts, toys. The market is open from 24 November to 21 December

More Ice Rink

2011-11-10T07:53:00.010Z

Another photo from the Ice Rink, pre-ice by the looks of things. Winchester last year was selling itself as the England's Christmas capital, and with the Christmas market, services and carols at the cathedral, pantomime etc it has a lot going on!

Ice Rink is coming

2011-11-09T07:36:00.008Z

The Ice Rink is now being set up in the Cathedral grounds. It always seems very popular and opens on 24 November until 2 Janaury. I have been before and would like to go again if I could find a quiet session. Tickets cost up to £9.95 for an adult

Work in progress

2011-11-08T19:44:00.000Z

Work is currently taking place in The Square and Market Street in Winchester to pedestrianise part of it. Some shop owners apparently aren't too happy about this as The Square is one of the last roads in Winchester city centre where shoppers can legally park their cars directly outside businesses.

Wolvesey

2011-11-06T20:56:00.000Z

Please forgive my lack of posts over the last week or so! A trip to Venice followed by Brussels for work and various other things have left little time to go out and get some photos! I'm posting one I took a while back from the ruins of Wolvesey Castle where the Bishops of Winchester used to live, with the residence of the current Bishops just peaking over the right side of the ruins.

Normal service at the blog will resume shortly!

16th Birthday

2011-10-28T09:12:00.002+01:00

It was my son's 16th birthday today, and I'm posting a 'personal' photo from our meal out at the Rimjhim Indian Restautant in Winchester.

I am away for the weekend, so won't be posting for a couple of days. For my nearest location whilst away see Venice Daily Photo

Garden by the river

2011-10-27T20:45:00.000+01:00

The photo doesn't capture it too well but there are a number of houses that back onto the River Itchen and have gardens down to the river bank.

Christmas is coming!

2011-10-26T23:37:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I mentioned Halloween and now I'm already onto Christmas! I noticed that near the Cathedral the chalets have appeared for the Christmas market already. The market doesn't open until 24 November, so we have a while yet, but I guess the chalets have been dropped off early!

Halloween on its way!

2011-10-25T19:37:00.001+01:00

I always think of Halloween as an American invention, or at least much more popular in the States! As a kid back in the early 80's I did go trick or treating once and a lot of people didn't know seem to know what we were doing! There are a few houses with pumpkins outside but around the corner from me I spotted this house really taking the Halloween theme seriously!

Winnal Moors

2011-10-24T17:51:00.000+01:00

Footpath through the Winnal Moors

Entrance to Winnall Moors

2011-10-21T19:51:00.000+01:00

I've been a bit busy with work recently, hence stock photos with not much info! I hope to get out more this weekend!

Itchen River

2011-10-20T20:25:00.002+01:00

Winnal Moors

2011-10-19T18:57:00.000+01:00

St Giles Hill

2011-10-18T18:34:00.000+01:00

Optical illusion

2011-10-17T20:21:00.000+01:00

This photo was taken at Winnal Moors, the more I look at it, the more it all seems to merge into one! Or maybe it's just me!

King Alfred

2011-10-16T12:49:00.000+01:00

The back of our King Alfred statue with the tower of the Guildhall to the left and a lovely blue sky from yesterday morning.

Swans

2011-10-15T12:47:00.001+01:00

A photo of some swans on the bank of the River Itchen on the Winnal Moors this morning

Exhibition

2011-10-14T08:26:00.001+01:00

Another photo from the current exhibition of animal drawings at Winchester Discovery Centre.

****I am away at the moment, back later today****

Modern

2011-10-13T07:31:00.001+01:00

Winchester is not all old buildings, these modern flats here overlook the rear of the Hambledon shop that I posted a couple of days ago.

****I am away at the moment - back Friday****

Still green

2011-10-12T07:32:00.000+01:00

Although it's October you can see that most of the trees round here are still quite green and the weather this weekend the weather was very mild. On the other hand you can also see a fair few brown leaves on the ground.

****I am away with work at the moment. Back on Friday. I've scheduled these posts whilst away. For photos of where I am see Brussels (Gattina hope you don't mind me linking to your photos!)****

Hambledon

2011-10-11T08:30:00.009+01:00

I have tried to get a photo of the back of this shop without any cars parked in front of it, but have decided it is not physically possible! This is the rear of The Hambledon, the front is on The Square. It sells clothes, homeware, furniture & cute things

****I am away at the moment with work, back on Friday evening, so have set up these scheduled posts. For my nearest location see This is Belgium****

Westgate

2011-10-10T07:33:00.000+01:00

The Westgate & Great Hall yesterday. Not sure what the marquee was about!

Columns

2011-10-09T08:23:00.012+01:00

I went on a Roman walking tour around Winchester a couple of years ago. In Roman times Winchester was called Venta Belgarum meaning marketplace of the Belgae (a local tribe). If you come to Winchester looking for Roman ruins you may be disappointed I'm afraid, but I do recall on the walk that they thought these pillars in the Cathedral Close might be of Roman origin.

Rugby

2011-10-08T07:44:00.000+01:00

Over at the North Walls Recreation Park we have a rugby pitch for the Winchester Rugby Club. The club has many teams, senior, kids, teens, girls. The club was founded in 1929, initially based in Kings Worthy (a village just to the north of Winchester) until 1971 when they purchased their current 10 acre ground.

Football Ground

2011-10-07T07:35:00.029+01:00

This is Winchester City Football Club's ground taken yesterday evening.The club was formed in 1884. The club's nickname is The Capitals and comes from Winchester being the ancient capital of Wessex and then England, before some place called London took over!

High Street

2011-10-06T09:24:00.002+01:00

This is 141-142 High Street. Now a building society, it was built in 1921 for Sainsburys the supermarket. Until this building was erected probably 2 of the oldest medieval buildings in Winchester stood here.

Yummy!

2011-10-05T09:22:00.011+01:00

This is watercress and cheese bread or loaf (can't remember exactly what they were called) that were on sale last week at the Hampshire Farmer's Market. They were absolutely delicious! This area of Hampshire is renowned for Watercress - we have a Watercress Line (a vintage trainline), a Watercress Tour & Watercress Festival and even Watercress itself! Although this bread was delicious when I think of watercress it always reminds me of school dinners when I was sure it was just some kind of clover they'd pulled out of the school playing field!

Curly

2011-10-04T08:24:00.000+01:00

It's World Animal Day today and so I thought I'd post another of one of Robert Davies drawing's currently on show at the Discovery Centre, this time of a sheep called Curly. Many of the animals in his drawings are rescue animals being cared for at the Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Itchen Way

2011-10-03T07:09:00.000+01:00

I've already posted a couple of photos from a recent walk along the Itchen Way, and here's another. The Itchen Way is a foothpath that follows the River Itchen from its source in the north near Hinton Ampner, through Winchester and down to the mouth of the river at Southampton Water

St Mary's Kings Worthy

2011-10-02T07:10:00.001+01:00

Another church called St Marys, this time in Kings Worthy, which is a small village just to the north of Winchester. The church dates back to at least 1290, but was remodelled in the 1800s

Lost?

2011-10-01T07:27:00.000+01:00

I saw this bus in the High Street, I don't think Winchester is part of its usual route! In fact I don't think these buses even operate in London anymore. I lived in London from 1985-88 and often caught these Routemaster buses which were so convenient because when they were stuck in traffic you could just jump on the back which is open. Of course this meant you had a driver and a ticket collector on the bus. Now there are just drivers, so there's no open back and I imagine you have to get on at the bus stop too, even if the bus is stuck in traffic! Although I am happy to be corrected by any Londoners!

Barton Farm

2011-09-30T07:16:00.000+01:00

If you've been to Winchester you may have seen in some windows posters saying 'Save Barton Farm'. Today it appears it was saved..for now. Barton Farm is an area of farmland to the north of Winchester where a property developer has wanted to build some 2000 new homes, shops, restaurants and offices etc since the late 1990s. Residents objected saying saying the city's roads, schools and services could not cope with so many new homes and the local council voted against the proposal. A planning enquiry then approved the plans, but yesterday minister Eric Pickles overturned the decision and concluded that the matter must be decided locally. Our member of parliament Steve Brine said "Ultimately it's about the sort of place we want Winchester to be and a judgement call as to when the city has extended far enough into its famous landscape setting." There is still the feeling though that somehow developers will have their way, so I don't imagine this is the end of this. The other side of the story is that Winchester is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK, affordable housing is scarce and this development would have provided some 800 'affordable houses'.

St Mary's Church Easton

2011-09-29T07:11:00.000+01:00

This is St Mary's Church in Easton, a pretty village just outside Winchester. St Mary’s is a Norman church probably dating from the twelfth century.

Ducks in the Itchen

2011-09-28T07:08:00.008+01:00

Cathedral

2011-09-27T08:20:00.003+01:00

A side door of the Cathedral

Poppies

2011-09-26T07:12:00.001+01:00

On a walk from Winchester to Easton on the Itchen Way, spotted these poppies in a field.

Walks from winchester

2011-09-25T07:12:00.001+01:00

Walking the Itchen Way trail between Winchester & Easton

Flooring

2011-09-24T08:21:00.012+01:00

Here at the Cathedral where they sell second hand books I noticed this mosaic flooring. This Roman pavement was found in Dome Alley (nearby to the cathedral) in 1880 and was placed here with 2 fragments found in Rome and some English medieval tiles.

Time waits

2011-09-23T08:22:00.001+01:00

Taken from Dean Garnier's Garden, this is a sundial that I noticed painted onto the side of the Cathedral

Sea the Stars

2011-09-22T08:24:00.008+01:00

Here is the horse drawing that I mentioned the other day. It's amazing, looks like a real one doesn't it? Only it's more expensive at £52000! Actually the drawing it's probably cheaper because this is a drawing of Sea the Stars, the first horse to win the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the same year. Not sure if you can appreciate the size of the drawing in this photo, the drawing is 2 metres 40cm high, that's around 7 feet 9 inches!

Cathedral Shop

2011-09-21T08:19:00.017+01:00

The Visitors Centre of Winchester Cathedral has a shop, shown here, and through the doorway is the refectory (cafe/restaurant) and a box office. The shop is open every day and is run by 30 volunteer shop assistants. The visitors centre was opened by the Queen in 1993.

Chicken

2011-09-20T20:39:00.001+01:00

Like chickens, but perhaps don't have the space for them in your Winchester city garden? Then pop down to the Winchester Discovery Centre with a spare £3000 and you could snap up this beautifully detailed pencil drawing of one by artist Robert Davies which is currently on exhibition until 6 November. The detail is amazing and I'll post some more from the exhibition during the week, his horse drawings are really something!

Sit down

2011-09-19T06:50:00.002+01:00

I am sorry to say that I've been so busy with work that I haven't been able to get out much to take many photos, so here is one I took some time ago and hadn't yet posted because I was hoping to find details about the history behind this wooden carved chair that I spotted in the Cathedral. I haven't yet got any details, but I thought I'd post it anyway or else the blog runs the risk of becoming 'weekly' photos! Must try harder this weekend!

Sad Sunflowers

2011-09-18T09:50:00.002+01:00

Spotted these sunflowers with their heads down at the Edington Road allotments. I am on the waiting list to get one of these allotments, and there are 70 people ahead of me...! I was on the way to watch Winchester City Football Club whose ground is nearby, unfortunately I didn't manage to get any photos from the match due to my camera battery expiring soon after this shot!

Chesil Theatre

2011-09-17T12:42:00.001+01:00

The Chesil Theatre was open as part of the Heritage Days event and we paid a visit. Behind the bar was this stone head. It's believed to be from the late 12th century made from limestone from the Isle of Wight. It's not certain whether the stone head was part of St Peter's Church (where the Chesil Theatre resides) but as St Peter's Church was certainly in existence in the 12th century.

Inside City Mill

2011-09-16T18:24:00.006+01:00

Inside the City Mill and downstairs is where the fast flowing River Itchen passes through.

City Mill

2011-09-15T08:04:00.000+01:00

Another place that had free entry over the Heritage Day weekend was Winchester City Mill. It's located on a site that has been used for milling flour since Saxon times. The current building dates from 1743 and remained in use as a mill until the early 20th century. For a while the building was a Youth Hostel, but in 2004 the National Trust took over the building and resumed grinding flour again which is available for sale.

Wall painting

2011-09-14T07:56:00.022+01:00

This is St John's church which has already featured on the blog. Last weekend there were a number of heritage open days and I took the advantage to go inside a photo some of the wall paintings that are within the church. These were covered up during the Victorian times and those which survived were uncovered in 1958. The paintings are believed to date from around 1280. This one shows to the right a bishop with his hand raised in blessing, St Christopher or St Antony on the left and the devil at the top.

***I am away with work at the moment & have scheduled this post, thanks for stopping by***

Golden Lion

2011-09-13T09:31:00.000+01:00

Another pub I've never been in as it's on the Alresford Road on the way out of Winchester is the Golden Lion. The pub was covered in flowers and looked beautiful, and when I 'googled' them I discovered they are multiple winners of the Winchester in Bloom competition, and it looks like they're having another go this year..they'd certainly get my vote. The pub was built in 1932 to serve the local area. The original Golden Lion pub was in Jewry Street on the current site of Brasserie Blanc

**I'm away with work at the moment, for my nearest location see: This is Belgium **

Wolvesey Castle

2011-09-12T09:31:00.015+01:00

Another photo from the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, which was once the residence of the Bishops of Winchester. The name Wolvesey means Wulf's Island, the higher ground between two streams of the River Itchen. The ruins are mostly the creation of Bishop Henry of Blois who became bishop in 1129. The new Bishop of Winchester won't have to live here in the ruins, he has a nice little place next door!

I am away with work at the moment and have scheduled this post. For my nearest location see This is Belgium

The County Arms

2011-09-11T06:51:00.000+01:00

I had never noticed this pub before! My excuse is that I don't oftern drive along the Romsey Road where it is positioned. The pub was built in 1848 and students from the nearby West Down Campus opposite the pub are regular customers.

Crafts at the Library

2011-09-10T07:13:00.001+01:00

At the library/Winchester Discovery Centre there are a number of craft groups, there's a Knit & Natter group once a week during the day and a weekly craft group in the evening. Here are some of their creations, knitted cupcakes and a chocolate chip cookie!

South Downs

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000+01:00

This view is looking from West Hill cemetary across to the South Downs, with the spire of St Thomas' Church. The South Downs recently became a national park in April and stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne.

Avington Park

2011-09-08T09:33:00.011+01:00

This is Avington Park in the village of Avington which is about 5 miles NE of Winchester. The house originally belonged to the Cathedral of Winchester until King Henry VIII granted the estate to Edmund Clerke. In the mid 17th centuary it was owned by George Brydges, Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles II. He enlarged and updated the house to accommodate the King and Nell Gwynne.

The estate was sold in 1847 to Sir John Shelley, brother of the poet, and sold again to the Hickson family in 1953 who still own it today. Avington Park is available for weddings, corporate event, filming and is occasionally open to the public.

There was recently a crime committed at the property when a sundial worth around £100000 was stolen.

New Bishop of Winchester

2011-09-07T07:11:00.000+01:00

(Photo Credit: Jeremy Woodham)

Downing Street announced yesterday that the next Bishop of Winchester will be the Reverend Canon Tim Dakin who is 53 and is currently head of the Church Mission Society. He'll be consecrated as the 97th Bishop of Winchester in January and assume the role in Spring 2012. Winchester's previous bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Scott-Joynt, retired in May after 16 years.

As I mentioned in a previous post when a new Bishop of Winchester is on his way to his enthronement in the Cathedral, he first comes to the tiny church of St Lawrence be presented to the Mayor, clergy and citizens, definitely a photo opportunity for next year!

Easton

2011-09-06T08:02:00.000+01:00

I was out on a bike ride recently and passed through the pretty village of Easton. The village is 2¾ miles North East of Winchester. Although technically this isn't the city of Winchester, but the village does lie in the district of Winchester. I stopped and took a photo of this pretty thatched cottage, and there were plenty of them in the village.

Cycle 4 Life & 1st anniversary

2011-09-05T07:43:00.001+01:00

1 year ago today I started this blog! I must admit in September and October 2010 the 'daily' aspect was a bit lacking, but after this false start I have published a photo every day, bar one when my modem broke! I still feel there are many more things to photograph here especially as so far the blog has been very central Winchester orientated! So here's to the next 365 days and thank you to everyone who has ever dropped by the blog and to anyone who has taken the time to comment, it's really appreciated!

Back to today's photo.. yesterday I got totally drenched at the Cycle 4 Life sportive in aid of Cancer Research. It was a 25km, 50km or 100km cycle ride - I chose the 25km! The weather was horrible, pouring with rain and cold, not great cycling weather! The event even had its own celebrity taking part - Les Ferdinand, ex England, Tottenham & QPR footballer.

Halls of Residence

2011-09-04T07:58:00.002+01:00

This is the Queen's Road Student Village of the Winchester University. It houses 399 students in ensuite flats. It was built in 2010 to ease housing issues for students and it took many 1st year students out of private accommodation in areas such as nearby Stanmore.

The rooms are around 12 sq metres with a bed, desk, wardrobe, ensuite bathroom and free internet access, there are shared kitchens and eating areas. The rent is £106 a week. Quite a few years ago I stayed at the halls of residence at Sussex University in Brighton, they were nothing like this! En-suite? I wish!

Stained Glass

2011-09-03T06:56:00.002+01:00

More art from last weekend's open studios at the Link Gallery, a modern take on stained glass.

Wolvesey Castle

2011-09-02T09:28:00.049+01:00

These are part of the ruins of Wolvesey Castle which was once the palace of the Bishops of Winchester. There has been a bishop's residence here for over 1000 years. The extensive surviving ruins of the palace date largely from the 12th-century work of Bishop Henry of Blois. The palace was demolished in 1680 after it was destroyed by the roundheads in the English Civil War and was rebuilt, and demolished again in 1786. The original old chapel still remains which you can see just behind the ruins and to the rear of it the east wing which is where the current Bishop of Winchester lives.

Model trains

2011-09-01T08:03:00.002+01:00

Celebrating 125 years of the Great Western Railway, this model railway exhibition was taking place at the cathedral yesterday. I remember my brother had a Hornby trainset as a kid and had it on a wooden base and began building up a whole little town around it with miniature trees, people, animals, houses etc. I wonder if kids still do that these days?