Lynda's Little World

The Oban & Mull Area.

Oban.

The Oban and Mull area, arguably has more to offer than any other area of Scotland. There is a huge variety of places to visit to choose from, from the earliest human occupation 6,000 years ago in Kilmartin Glen south of Oban, to the west the sea and all the activities that go along with it.

Explore Oban & Mull Guide with MapsThere are great visitor attractions many unique to this part of the world, including sporting and leisure facilities which cater for the whole family. Plenty of fabulous mountain and loch-side scenery for which Scotland is famous.

Oban Chocolate Company: where indulgence is compulsory! Award winning shop, cafe and factory. Relax and take in the views, whilst you enjoy a delicious mug of hot chocolate, or your choice of fair trade teas and coffees and of course hand-made chocolates and cakes! Milkshakes and Mackies ice cream in a range of yummy flavours are perfect for a refreshing treat on warm days. Corran Esplanade, Oban.
Tel: 01631 566099.

Oban means little bay in Gaelic – Scotland’s ancient Celtic language

kilchurn Castle.

Oban means (“little bay” in Gaelic – Scotland’s ancient Celtic language)
Oban today has a resident population of 8,500 and is the unofficial capital of the West Highlands – the “Gateway to the Isles”. The panoramic views of the mountains, lochs and islands which have captivated artists, authors, composers, and poets for centuries are as striking now as they were when Dunollie Castle, a ruined keep which has stood sentinel over the narrow entrance to the sheltered bay for around six hundred years, was the northern outpost of the Dalriadic Scots.

It is no surprise to find Oban in the 21st Century remains a magnet for travellers from all over the world. The town’s present day popularity owes much to the Victorians, and as early as 1812, when the Comet steamship linked Oban with Glasgow, the town played host to intrepid travellers touring Staffa – the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Overture – and Iona – home of Scottish Christianity since St Columba stepped ashore in AD563.

Indeed once Oban had the royal seal of approval from Queen Victoria, who called it “one of the finest spots we have seen”, the town’s destiny as an endearingly enchanting holiday destination was as firmly set as the lava columns of Fingal’s Cave in Staffa.

McCaig's Tower.

Tags: oban, scotland, travel, west coast

Easdale Island.

Easdale Island.

When I visited Easdale Island with my Brother & Sister in Law we sat on the top of the cliffs which you can see in the bottom Picture .
While we sat there we watched the Coastguard Helicopter Training, it was a nice day but even so really brings Home what these Brave People do.
Something none of us should forget , I did take a picture but managed to cut the Helicopter out.
At least I done a bit better than the couple next to us who forgot to take the Lens Cap off , luckily they saw the Funny Side.
Another thing about Scotland every one is so Friendly .

Easdale Island is the smallest permanently inhabited Inner Hebridean island off the west coast of Scotland. Sixteen miles south of Oban the island lies 200 metres from the Isle of Seil. Travel over the famous ‘Bridge over the Atlantic’ and then catch the small passenger ferry to Easdale Island.
Come and explore Easdale. The deep aquamarine pools and jagged exposed rocks are a reminder of the industry that sustained the area for many years. Easdale slate has been transported all over the world but the past century has allowed mother nature to heal some of the scars and create this glorious landscape in which we live today.
Why not make a day of it visit the award winning Easdale Folk Museum or you could also take a trip with Sea-fari Adventures to the Corryvreckan whirlpool.

http://www.easdale.org/

Easdale Island.

Easdale Island from a Distance.

The Isle of Luing

The Isle of Luing.

These pictures I took when I went to visit my Brother at work , lucky him he worked on a Salmon Fish Farm.
Lovely taste is fresh Scottish Salmon another thing you should try if you go to Scotland.

The Isle of Luing has changed little over the past two hundred years, with white-washed quarrier’s cottages, lush pasture and abundant wildlife. Luing is a tranquil paradise, with stunning views to Mull, Scarba, the Garvellachs and the many other small islands that surround it.
Easily accessible from the mainland by a short ferry crossing, it is ideally placed to explore Oban and the surrounding area. Accommodation on the island includes self catering cottages, and a small caravan park with mobile homes. You can hire bikes to explore the island, or arrange a boat trip from neighboring Seil to experience the wildlife and magnificent scenery from a different angle. With regular sightings of otters, seals, birds of prey including eagles and many more species there is always something special to see.
The Isle of Luing is the perfect base for a holiday. Whether you are coming for a day or a week; for peace and quiet, or an active holiday we have something for you.
If you are planning to come to Luing for a day, why not combine it with a visit to our neighboring islands of Seil and Easdale, with a museum, restaurants, pubs and shops to while away your time.

http://www.isleofluing.co.uk/

Tags: oban, scotland, travel, west coast

The great window in the south transept was inserted, with considerable imagination, by Bishop Langton between 1305 and 1337. Among the early bishops was St Richard of Chichester, often described as the most English of saints. Following the removal of his body to a shrine behind the High Altar in the presence of King Edward I, it became a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

Stained Glass Windows.

Stained Glass Windows.

Stained Glass Windows.

Tags: chichester, Chichester Cathedral, history, Religion & Spirituality

Oban a Beautiful Part of Scotland.

McCaig's Tower.

My Mum came from Edinburgh and My Brother was born there.
I think Scotland is a truly Beautiful place , this page has some pictures I took some time ago when My Brother lived In Oban.
It was dark when I arrived in Oban so I didn’t get to see much , but in the morning I walked down and got my first glimpse of Oban Harbor.
Believe me the first time you see this its a sight you will not forget , its so Beautiful.
I’m all ways surprised how many people go abroad but they don’t visit the Beautiful places we have in the UK. We have so much History in the UK but many people don’t know about or bother to find out about it .
I recommend any one to visit Scotland it has the most Natural Beauty , once seen you will not forget it.

Undoubtedly Oban’s most outstanding feature, McCaig’s Tower was buil in 1897 by local banker John Stuart McCaig who’s aim was to provide work for local stonemasons and a lasting monument to the McCaig family. The steep climb from the town center to McCaig’s Tower is well worth the effort when faced with the spectacular views across Oban Bay to the Atlantic Islands. The gardens inside the tower are well maintained and are a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of town life.

McCaig's Tower.

Oban Harbor.

The Lifeboat.

Sunsets Oban.

Sunset from the wee Hill.

When I stayed with my Brother in Oban my Sister said would you like to watch the Sunset it’s a bit of a climb but you wont forget it.
Bit of a Climb she wasn’t kidding didn’t realize she meant I would need to be a Mountain Goat , we climbed up these little tracks up to the top of this cliff.
I said Mountain but she said in Scotland that was classed as a wee Hill , my legs didn’t feel like it was a wee hill believe me.
Was I glad she had taken a Flask of Tea so there we sat and waited , to say it was Beautiful just isn’t good enough it was somehow Magical , it was so peaceful like we were the only two people on earth.
It was a few years ago now but I can still remember the sight and the feeling of peace.
If any of you get the chance to go to Scotland make an effort and watch the Sunset believe me you wont be disappointed its well worth the effort.

Tags: oban, scotland, travel, west coast

Stained Glass Windows.

The great window in the south transept was inserted, with considerable imagination, by Bishop Langton between 1305 and 1337. Among the early bishops was St Richard of Chichester, often described as the most English of saints. Following the removal of his body to a shrine behind the High Altar in the presence of King Edward I, it became a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

Stained Glass Windows.

Stained Glass Windows.

Stained Glass Windows.

Some Events in Chichester 2010

Stained Glass Window in Chichester Cathedral.

Festival of Speed, Chichester, United Kingdom
Festival of Speed -
01 Jul 2010 – 31 Jul 2010 Date to be confirmed

The Festival of Speed at Goodwood in West Sussex is one of the world’s biggest and most diverse celebrations of the history of motor sport. It is the only occasion where visitors can see in action the greatest competition cars and star drivers from past eras. At this show motor enthusiasts can see everything from 19th century steam carriages to current Formula 1 cars, from fabulous racing motorcycles and classic rally cars to powerful dragsters. In addition, the festival features some of the big motor sport legends past and present.

Chichester Cathedral
Holiday Activities for Families
28 July & 25 August: 10.30am – 12.30pm ‘Brass Rubbing’

27 October: ‘Ugly Mugs’ (make a gargoyle)

No need to book – just turn up.
Children under eight most welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

For further information please contact the Education Department on 01243 812497.

Chichester Cathedral Festival of Flowers
3, 4, 5th June 2010

Poetry in Paradise

“To create a garden is to search for a better world. In our efforts to improve on nature we are guided by a vision of paradise.” (Marina Shinz)

Now in its 16th year the Festival of Flowers has become one of the Cathedral’s most popular events and 2010 promises to be as stunning and vibrant as ever.

Put the date in your diary and come and join us. Coach parties welcome!

(Preview Evening Wednesday 2nd June 2010)

For further information please contact The Chichester Cathedral Restoration & Development Trust on 01243 812480 or email: trust@chichestercathedral.org.uk

Chichester Harbour
…an area of outstanding beauty

Chichester Harbour lies west of Chichester, with an entrance from the English Channel between Selsey and Hayling Island. It comprises an area of some twenty-seven square miles of navigable water and provides some of the most rewarding scenery in the south of England.
Chichester Channel

The harbour is a very popular yachting center and set in its midst is the second largest marina in Britain offering superb facilities in a beautiful environment. During the summer the harbour villages are thronged with sailing folk, but these are places that have much to offer visitors at all seasons.

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/

This poem, written in 1956 and published in The Whitsun Weddings collection, is based on an actual stone monument, located in Chichester Cathedral. The “Arundel” of the title refers to the nearby town of Arundel, an ancient Roman town lying in a prominent position in hills overlooking the River Arun. Larkin had clearly seen the monument for himself, for the poem is characterized by the sense of the observer who looks at the monument, walks around it and begins to notice features as he looks. In this Larkin appreciates that he is only one of a huge number of visitors, across many generations, who have come into the Cathedral, for purposes of worship, for spiritual guidance and consolation, or simply out of curiosity.

The monument, as can be seen from this photograph, is located in the Western part of the cathedral, in a side-nave, with the two figures lying together lit by the changing pattern of light and shadow within the cathedral. The poem manages to convey this sense of being there, looking at the monument for oneself, extremely well. It is significant that the poem does not make overt reference to the Christian setting, and that its (tentative) conclusions seem to be both secular and humanist in intent. But it is also significant that a copy of Larkin’s poem is now placed at the base of the statue, so that the modern-day visitor can have the direct experience of both poem and effigy.

An Arundel Tomb

Side by side, their faces blurred

The earl and countess lie in stone,

Their proper habits vaguely shown

As jointed armour, stiffened pleat,

And that faint hint of the absurd -

The little dogs under their feet.

Such plainness of the pre-baroque

Hardly involves the eye, until

It meets his left-hand gauntlet, still

Clasped empty in the other; and

One sees, with a sharp tender shock,

His hand withdrawn, holding her hand.

They would not think to lie so long.

Such faithfulness in effigy

Was just a detail friends would see:

A sculptor’s sweet commissioned grace

Thrown off in helping to prolong

The Latin names around the base.

They would not guess how early in

Their supine stationary voyage

The air would change to soundless damage,

Turn the old tenantry away ;

How soon succeeding eyes begin

To look, not read. Rigidly they

Persisted, linked, through lengths and breadths

Of time. Snow fell, undated. Light

Each summer thronged the glass. A bright

Litter of birdcalls strewed the same

Bone-riddled ground. And up the paths

The endless altered people came,

Washing at their identity.

Now, helpless in the hollow of

An unarmorial age, a trough

Of smoke in slow suspended skeins

Above their scrap of history,

Only an attitude remains:

Time has transfigured them into

Untruth. The stone fidelity

They hardly meant has come to be

Their final blazon, and to prove

Our almost-instinct almost true:

What will survive of us is love.

Arundel Tomb.

Arundel Tomb.

John Piper tapestry, Chichester Cathedral
The design by Piper was woven in France in 1966. The central theme is the Holy Trinity; on the side panels appear the “four beasts full of eyes before and behind” (Rev. 4:6) traditionally regarded as symbolizing the four evangelists.

The nave of Chichester Cathedral is unusual in that its aisles were doubled in the 13th century. Under the floor of the nave are the remains of a Roman mosaic pavement, which can be viewed through a glass window. Also in the interior are the grave of the composer Gustav Holst and the Gothic “Arundel tomb” referred to in a famous poem by Philip Larkin.

Despite its venerable age, the cathedral contains several modern works of art, including tapestries by John Piper and Ursula Benker-Schirmer, a stained-glass window by Marc Chagall, a painting by Graham Sutherland called “Noli me Tangere”, and a reredos for the St John the Baptist’s Chapel by Patrick Procktor.

John Piper Tapestry.

Nave of Chichester Cathedral, looking east to the choir.

Small Chapel.

Statues you will see in The Cathedral.

Statues you will see in The Cathedral.

Some of the Wooden Panels and Statues in the Cathedral.

The South Transept has a series of portraits painted on wooden panels by Lambert Barnard, an Italian, painter to Bishop Sherburne, who held the see in 1508-1536. Not in the scope of these pages, but we have to look anyway at these and the companion works in the North transept, which need to be viewed together by crossing from the one to the other. All the portraits of bishops have the same face; the kings are individual to at least some degree, though not in some cases particularly resembling the monarchs concerned – the large pictures, showing the founding of the see and the renewal of the charter by Henry VIII to Bishop Sherburne himself, show masses of richly-robed figures filling the field in the style of the time, as painters such as Rossetti were to return to 350 years on. The pictures have undergone at least some restoration work.

Wooden Panels by Lambert Barnard.

Wooden Panels by Lambert Barnard.

Chichester Cathedral stands in the centre of the city, a dominating influence and a landmark for all the surrounding countryside. In 1075 William the Conqueror ordered a cathedral to be built in Chichester and the main part of the present building was dedicated in 1108. After two serious fires it was reconsecrated in 1199.

The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Chichester (as it is officially named) was founded in 1075 after the seat of the bishop was transferred to Chichester from nearby Selsey. It was consecrated in 1108 under Bishop Ralph de Luffa but a subsequent fire created a need for substantial rebuilding, which was not completed until 1184. The cathedral was reconsecrated in 1199.

Richard de la Wyche (a.k.a. St. Richard of Chichester), bishop from 1245 to 1253, was buried in the cathedral. His shrine was a place of pilgrimage until it was destroyed in 1538, during the first stages of the English Reformation. Further damage to the cathedral had been done by fire and much rebuilding was carried out in the Early English style. The original wooden ceiling had burned and was replaced by the sublimely simple present vaulting.

The spire, which was originally built in the 14th century, was repaired in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren and survived a lightning strike in 1721. However, its construction from poor-quality local stone led to its sudden collapse on February 21, 1861, miraculously without loss of life. It was immediately rebuilt by George Gilbert Scott, and now rises to a height of 82 metres.

Some interesting bits of trivia: The St. Mary’s Hospital Almshouses in Chichester, which are linked to the cathedral, are thought to be the oldest in Britain, dating back to the 13th century.

Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, written for the cathedral, are among the composer’s finest music.

Unusually for a cathedral, Chichester has also hosted a performance by a rock band Pink Floyd, who played at the funeral of their manager, Steve O’Rourke.

Chichester Cathedral baptistry Ceiling.

One of The Many Beautiful Stained Glass Windows.

Cloisters.

Cloisters.

Small chapel.

Chichester Cathedral another Beautiful Place.

Four Years ago while on Honeymoon Nick ( Hubby ) and I not only visited the Beautiful Arundel Castle for a day.
We all so spent a very enjoyable day at Chichester and while we were there we visited the Beautiful Cathedral. Unlike many Cathedrals you do not have to pay to get into Chichester , you just make your own Donation.
All so unlike many places they are quite happy for you to take Photo’s inside the Cathedral. All of the Guides there were so helpful and Friendly you could see they loved working there but to them I’m sure it was not work.
While Nick and I were there we were very lucky to hear the Choir practicing it was a wonderful sound and the feeling of peace that came over you was Amazing.
Not only is the Cathedral Beautiful to walk around ,they have a very nicely laid out Restaurant with Seating outside in a Attractive small Garden Area.
A lot of people use the Grass areas for picnics , you will find quite a few people doing this in the Summer.

Entrance to Chichester Cathedral.

Cathedral Spire.

Central Tower.

In the 13th century the central tower was completed, the Norman apsidal eastern end rebuilt with a Lady Chapel, and a row of chapels added on each side of the nave forming double aisles such as are found on many French cathedrals.

The 277ft spire was not added until the late 13th or early 14th century. It collapsed in 1861 but was rebuilt by Sir Gilbert Scott in four years.

St Nicholas Church Arundel.

As we walked from the Car Park in Arundel down towards the Castle we happened to look down a little side street and saw the pretty little Church of St Nicholas.
So we went down to have a closer look The Vicar of the Church came out and told us we were very welcome to have a look round and stay as long we liked , inside it was just as lovely. As you see we took a few Photos , below is a little bit of its History.
Dating back to the fourteenth century, the parish church is unusual because the chapel is reserved for Roman Catholic services. Built on the site of an eleventh-century church, a stone set into the flint work bearing a pattern of four crosses is all survives of the original building.

Stained Glass Window St Nicholas Church.

The High Alter St Nicholas Church.

The High Alter.

St Nicholas Church.

Tags: Religion & Spirituality