On Sunday we tootled to York on the Motorbike. We decided to head inland as it was quite chilly and overcast on the coast. What I enjoy about York is there always seems to be something happening and last weekend was no different! On the 14th and 15th August, York Minster holds a Stone Carving Festival for Masons, Carvers, Sculptors and Apprentices from across Britain and abroad. The Stone Carving Festival was the first to be held at York Minster in ten years since the hugely successful York Stone Festival in 2000 when the octagonal stone bench in Dean’s Park was created.Up to eighty Masons and Carvers worked on stones in the Minster School Grounds. The stones were auctioned off to the public and all the proceeds were divided between York Minster Fund and York Against Cancer. We arrived just as the auction was taking place – these were some of my favourites!
It was quite amazing really, but the top one was definately my favourite! The sky over the minster shows what a glorious afternoon’s sunshine we had!
Back at home Bev is doing well in integrating with the rest of the hens..here she is joining in for a dust bath in the sunshine!
The girls love to have a snooze in the sunshine, preferring the cool soil in the heat! Proper free range conditions, just as nature intended!
The carvings were unique, and the one with the Eye looks a bit scary. I'm glad to hear Bev is adjusting to her home life again, and the other girls are behaving themselves.
ReplyDeleteThose really are different and interesting sculptures! Always love to see "girls"! Fun post as always, Denise! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
What a fabulous idea! I bet the pieces went for very good prices. How wonderful to have one of those.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that Bev has been accepted by the other girls again.
These are all wonderful shots. The carvings are great. I think the one of the eye is my favorite. Great shot of your hens.
ReplyDeleteLove the hens - I take you didn't buy any sculptures - a bit too heavy to lug home on the bike I expect.
ReplyDeleteYou have all the reasons in the world to be proud of The York minster.
ReplyDeleteI love York too, there's always something to see. Did you buy a carving? :)
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture is EYE-deal for this week. (Sorry...)
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
cute hens...
ReplyDeletewhat a homely e post.
Great carvings. I quite fancy the toadstool one.
ReplyDeleteIt's been ages since I went to York. We used to visit regularly when I was a kid. Maybe it's time for a return trip!
quite fantastic carvings :) the eye itself captures the attention..
ReplyDeleteMy ABC W E
Lovely post and a brilliant funding scheme. Brought back nice memories of a week we spent in York and the time spent in the minster.
ReplyDeleteWow, stone carving. I'd love to see it in progress.
ReplyDeleteThose chickens have it made!
Love your shots here, nice post!
ReplyDeleteABC Wednesday~E
I just finished reading Ken Follett's "World Without End," his sequal to "Pillars of the Earth." I loved reading all about the stone carvers and other artisans and it's interesting to note that their talents have continued to be handed down. The sculptures are gorgeous! And the girls, of course, are always of interest. :D
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a great day out and that sky is lovely and blue :-)
ReplyDeleteA few months ago I was fortunate enough to be able to buy fresh eggs from someone and I think of you and your hens and how wonderful it is to achieve such equilibrium with nature!
ReplyDeleteLoved the sculptures too.
Some talented stonemasons there. I love York, my daughter went to University there, I loved to visit.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see Bev is settling in again.
Love the hen party and seeing eye to eye. Great post for the letter E.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it must have been - I love the sculptures you've chosen - carving stone seems like such an impossible thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThose sculptures are amazing! Love the shots of the minster as well.
ReplyDeleteLooks like all the hens are getting along just fine.
Thanks for such an eclectic E post.
Beautiful stone carvings. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe architecture of that minister is beautiful.
The first one is very unique, I like it too.
ReplyDeletetrue carvings were unique, great hands of an artist..
ReplyDeleteMy ABC Wednesday here
Interesting carvings and when you see stone images you are touching a tradition that goes back into the beginnings of humanity.My E ( yes you hooked me in) is in a 50 word story called The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman
ReplyDeleteAnd tanks for the comments on my Sestina poem.
We were in York on holiday a couple of weeks ago - can't wait to go back. The stone carvings are brilliant especially the first one as it reminds me of a cyclops :-)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely eye-catching, Mrs. N!
ReplyDeleteNot even a question about eating the stone mushroom. What a great competition! By the way, my grandfather Turnock's family were masons from Stoke on Trent.
I love the eye! There's some perfectly lovely art work on display in our cathredrals, isn't there? I saw some beautiful wood carvings done by a brain damaged artist in Lincoln last year.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful you set life into scenery. Please have a good Thursday.
ReplyDeletedaily athens
Those stone carvings are impressive and how great that they get auctioned off. (I left a comment on the ABC page, but thanks again for recognizing my blog - I'll be posting the badge soon!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely event. I love the sculptures.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos ^___^. Thanks for your advice on my post "My Eyes". Have a great weekend.
ReplyDelete