#cityofstories

[simonturkasphotography]

Peaceful moments captured strolling around Norwich, UK. • Tag someone in the comments who would love to explore and photograph this amazing historical city!

•

Shot in: Norwich, Norfolk, UK

Camera: Lumix S5, Lens: LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6

[norwich-garage-services]

Professional Garage Services since 2009, Call 01603 488655 for an appointment. #norwichgarage #handsperformance #norwich #norwichbusinesses #norwichbusiness #norwichgarages #norwichcity #norwichblogger #mechanicnorwich #norwichmechanics #cityofstories #norwichlife #norwichinstagram #norwichgarages (at H & S performance Ltd) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjqVMbtNK6q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[juppycab]

Step into the heart of Delhi’s heritage at Delhi Diaries Museum! Uncover stories of the past, relive iconic moments, and experience the city’s cultural tapestry like never before. 🏛️✨

Where Delhi's Stories Come to Life❤✨

#DelhiDiaries #DelhiMuseum #DelhiCulture #HeritageOfDelhi #ExploreDelhi #MuseumLove #CulturalJourney #DelhiHistory #DiscoverDelhi #DelhiTales #ArtAndHistory #CityOfStories

[jannis-world-connection]

Posted @withregram • @sarahjanefouracres Three minutes of Classic Norwich _____________________________________________ #photosofbritain @photosofbritain #visitbritain @visitbritain #ukshots @uk.shots #photosofengland @photos_of_england #ukpotd @ukpotd #thisprettyengland @thisprettyengland #bbcbritain @bbcbritain #britishsnaps @britishsnaps #bestunitedkingdom @bestunitedkingdom #map_of_europe #unitedkingdom @map_of_unitedkingdom #gloriousbritain #instabritain #lovegreatbritain #traveling_uk #weloveengland #explore_britain #uk_shooters #cityofstories @visitnorwich #norwich #bbceast #littlepiecesofbritain #createyourlight #norwichcathedral https://www.instagram.com/p/COX63O9B5by/?igshid=necumb6had6h

[viltroxblog]

Photo by @ajnphotography_uk 👍🏻 Royal Arcade, Norwich in lockdown. . . #myproject #fujifilm #fujixt3 #fujilove #fujifilm_global #fujifilm_Xseries #repostmyfujifilm #norfolkbloggers #visitnorfolk #igersnorfolk #landscapephotography #autumn #autumnlight #streetsofnorwich #cityofstories #norwichlanes #viltrox23mm14 #viltrox https://www.instagram.com/p/CHx0LuFnKPH/?igshid=nb9ui8zvp109

[yoga-with-lucy]

Happy International Women’s Day♀Bring A Friend 1/2 Price to our Yoga + Reiki Soulful Sunday: Mother Earth Spring Special | 22nd March 2-4pm | Trimingham Hall | £25 . . . . Tag your Soulsister or Wonder Women! . . . . Lets treat the ladies in our lives this International Women's Day and Mother’s Day! Sending love and appreciation to you all; friends, teachers, creators, healers, soul sisters, kindred spirits, warrioresses, goddesses, Mums-to-be and even our Mother Earth. Recognising and embracing the divine feminine around us and in all of us! . . . . . . . Opening Circle 2pm: Beginning our afternoon with herbal teas and seasonal refreshments whilst creating a personal intention and focus for this time of year. : : : Yoga + Meditation 2:15pm A fun, dynamic flow for all, connecting movement with the breath, creating space for your own experience and explore your awareness. Using elements from Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda to aid in restoring the body safely and creating deep relaxation and harmony. : : : Reiki Flower SeedBall Gift 3pm: In the great outdoors using the beauty of nature, we sow the seeds of our intentions into Flower Seedballs gifts for Mother Earth! This fun, simple green-fingered mindful activity invites us to take action, create space for transformation and pockets of beauty to blossom all around us. : : : Closing Circle 3:45pm: As we end with a cuppa, we reflect on our afternoon and offer you a little gift to take away with you! #40daysofgratitude #norfolkyoga #norwichyoga #tribenorfolk #norwichlife #norfolkliving #norwichfitness #norwich #norfolk #norwichblogger #norwichofinstagram #lovenorfolk #norfolktribe #norwichnorfolk #norwichevents #norfolkblogger #norfolkevents #cityofstories #enjoyingnorfolk #vegannorwich #norfolkvegan #norfolkglamping #norfolkmassage #Acle #visitnorfolk #norfolklife #norfolktribe #normalfornorfolk #wearenorfolk #womenshistorymonth #internationalwomensday (at Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9d55Bfj7WJ/?igshid=fdxne2isiaaa

[eresunaperra]

Love Light Norwich 2020 . . . . . #lovelight #norwich #visitnorwich #norwichbid #norwichcathedral #lovelightnorwich #cityofstories #cathedral #projectionmapping #projection #lights #eagrammers #norfolk #discoverunder2k #discoverunder5k #influencer #gay #gayuk #instagay #gayboy #norwichlife #medieval #architecture #architecturephotography #festival #valentines #loveislove (at Norwich Cathedral) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8o5zb1DOJe/?igshid=ebstzvf5tggx

[shridulasingh]

One of the weekend trip was to Norwich , visited the cathedral which was really beautifully constructed. . . . . . . #visitnorwich #visitnorfolk #visitlondon #thejourney #travelgram #travelphoto #iamtraveller #planetdiscovery #passionpassport #travelguide #wanderlust #wonderfulplaces #prettycitylondon #travelinspiration #igtravel #bestplacestovisit #norwichlife #norflork #norwichcathedral #cityofstories #thisisnorwich #ignorwich @norwichgram @visitnorwich (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1G76INHl4A/?igshid=1jluuof1i7v3z

[paperpinetree]

Some exciting new work in progress... I loved making the cobbled path... #cityoftrees #cityofstories #installationartist #installation #handmadeuk #handmadewithlove❤ #paperhouse #tinyhouse #tinyhomes #tinyhome #3dart #sculpting #papercreations #studiotime #studiocity #wip #workinprocess (at Aberdeen) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQ9rttn-JU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yuvj38sjy234

[beccymundy]

The Plantation Gardens are a beautiful place and the perfect spot for an outdoor cinema. Blog post now live for Thursday nights viewing of Alien in the gardens! Click the link in my bio. 👽 #cityofstories #visitnorwich #bloggeruk #blogger #norwichblogger #styleblogger #ootd #plantationgardens #outdoorcinema #alien #alienmovie #movienight #bloggersuk #whatiwore #whatiwatched #outfitinspo #nerd #geekyteas #tshirt #photography (at The Plantation Garden)

[simonturkasphotography]

🌏 Seeing the amazing Gaia #EarthArtwork by @lukejerramartist on display in the @st.petermancroft church in Norwich recently was truly inspiring! ~ "The installation aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment." ~ "The artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the artwork may provide the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet; a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another. After the lockdown, there has been a renewed respect for nature." ~ Hopefully, seeing this incredible installation will have helped inspire more of the public to want to protect our wonderful planet. We all need to work together to heal our incredible home! ~ Have you made any changes to your lifestyle recently to help protect the environment? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ #gaia #wherelumixgoes #earth #climatechange #climatecrisis #climateaction #artwork #art #Norwich #VisitNorwich #CityofStories #church #lostcreators #lostcreator #lostcreatoracademy #Lumix #LumixS5 #travelphotography (at Norwich, Norfolk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWHTtTgqnMP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[norwich-garage-services]

➡️Do You Regularly Check Your Oil Levels? Checking the oil levels in your car is essential to maintaining the vehicle's life. It's one of the most straightforward bits of regular maintenance you can perform in your vehicle, especially before long trips involving heavy engine use. ➡️If you need any further information or No-obligation professional advice call 01603 488655 or find us at 8-10 Page Rd, Norwich, NR3 2BX #norwich #handsperformance #nr3 #handsperformance #norwichbusinesses #norwichbusiness #norwichgarages #norwichgarage #norwichnorfolk #cityofstories #garagenorwich #norwichblog #norwichmechanic #instanorwich #norwichbloggers #norwichnorfolk #norwichlife (at H & S performance Ltd) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpmeqkOo3dv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zoomedinknowledge]

Internet of Things...

The Internet of Things…

It’s been a week now since the second of our wonderful sessions with Gill White on The Internet of Things and despite severe (not man) flu, and so have only been conscious for about 10 hours of that week, the ideas and the group discussions are still very much with me. I came away with two main ideas or, trains of thought. The first one being that which refers to everyday objects having a story and a means to tell that story. The second being everyday objects being used as part of a bigger network and for a purpose beyond its original design or intent.

The trash can in the street, or the lighter in my pocket… Both extremely ordinary objects that mean different things to different people. To me, the lighter has incredible meaning and story, to a stranger, it’s just a lump of metal. To one person, the trash can in the street may just be a thing they throw litter towards, to someone else the trash can in the street is just one important tool in their attempt to make cities, perhaps their home city, nations even, better, cleaner more efficient places to live, as well as somewhere they put litter.

Growing up, Sci-fi films taught me to be scared, or mistrusting of the autonomous world. When I look at the gross overflowing bins outside my flat however… (and it’s only a bit of unsightly litter, it’s not exactly desperation like the lives of some city inhabitants elsewhere in the world)

Surely there is a better way to do this and I’m starting to think that the connected city and everyday objects having a story and a purpose beyond their original intent could be the way to go…

Thanks to all in the sessions! Lots of fun, lots of learning!

Here’s a link to a segment of a BBC ‘Click’ story about Singapore, a place that seems to be at least near the front of this kind of thinking.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04qlqk6

[alibraryinmyluggage-blog]

Lancaster has a dark and Gothic history that reflects in the architecture and stories of old times. A slave trade, witch trials, prison tales and quicksands where travelers or fishermen have disappeared all are part of towns colorful history.

Literary Lancaster, a booklet  put together by Dr. Penny Bradshaw, gives an overview of the famous authors impressions and their connections of the area. Book is structured as a self-guided tour of the literary significant and inspiring locations.

View over the Lancaster and the Sands from the Williamsons Park.

The Lancaster and a mystical crossing of the Sands was appreciated by  such a famous authors as Charles Dickens,  William Wordsworth (a Romantic poet whose home-museum I had a chance to visit in the Lake District), Carol Ann Duffy, Elizabeth Gaskell and a Gothic novelist Ann Radcliffe whose works are mentioned in Jane Austin books on multiple occasions.  

“In September 1857 Charles Dickens set out on a Northern tour with his fellow novelist Wilkie Collins. The purpose of the trip was to gather ideas for a story which they might write together. The product of their excursion was The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices which was published in Household Words in October 1857.”

“Literary Lancaster” by Dr Penny Bradshaw

With a  help of the “Literary Lancaster” and my own curiosity I venture around the town and a surrounding while visiting Lancaster over a long weekend.

The Lancaster Castle

Fortification in the center of the town is among the main attractions. As a testimony to the dark past of our law enforcement its a creepy reminder of  horrors that a human ignorance has caused. Also it’s really neat, nicely gloomy experience. The kind one might get from reading one of Stephen King novels, you know you are safe and it will (probably) turn out all right but it still gives you these creepy shivers on your backbone.

The Lancaster Castle courtyard. The first floor next to the usual museum gift shop is converted into staged prison cells. There is a lot of information boards about the everyday life like prison rations, working options and sanitary conditions (or a lack of them).

The castle was until recently used as a prison and is still in use as a courthouse. Consequently, it’s not possible to roam around on your own, but as a guided tour is part of the entrance and guide turns out to be knowledgeable, I don’t consider it a great loss.

Elaborately decorated courtrooms form a sharp contrast with the horrid factoids we are told along the way. For example, there is a hand clamp and a branding iron for a first time small offenders. Have you ever wondered why people raise their hand when taking the oath as seen in courtroom dramas? That’s where the branding iron would leave a mark, saving some trouble of keeping previous offender records.

Any theft over 12 p were a hanging offence. To put that in perspective with inflation and all, according to the records one prisoner was hanged for stealing a handkerchief that was valued to cost exactly 12 p.

Justice is suppose to be blind but on darker times in history she has also been death, dumb and prejudice.

Probably the best known historic incident is the trial of the Pendle witches. A man having, what probably was a stroke triggered  a witchhunt that led to the hanging of ten people. Whole process took only a few weeks and the main witness was a child made to testify against her own family.

Among other factoids from history we learn the difference between the short-rope and long-rope hanging. It boils down to a duration of the process. Thankfully the preference has been towards the faster solutions.

By  the end of the tour we are offered a chance to experience the situation of prisoners. With some giddiness and a self daring expression almost half of our group crowd into a bare cell, to have the door closed on us for 20 seconds. With ten of us in here, the population density is told to be pretty realistic. Standing in the dark and feeling other only a few centimeters away, there is one simple question in my mind, “where did they go when they needed to go?” I really don’t like the obvious answer my mind presents me with.

My next visit is to a period house across the street from the castle, the Cottage museum . Narrow staircases, tiny rooms and an archaic washing facilities make me inquire, if this the way that poor people lived on 18th century?  The  lady who is  a volunteer of the day smiles at my question and explains that, no, the family would have been well off, even possibly had a servant. Trying to see how a large family could comfortable fit here, I conclude that the term middle-class has changed a lot since Victorian times.

When people only owned one set of clothes the family was simply sent to bed early on Saturday while the laundry was done (not a task for a weak or faint-hearted).

City museum and A History Of Magic Exhibition

It’s still early in a day and I continue my way along the crowded central street to the Lancaster City museum. The permanent exhibition that an overview of Lancaster history starting from the stone-age, through the Roman and Viking era to the Victorian and more recent times.

It appears that laundry theme is  also strong here (as in The Castle and the Cottage museum).  Reading through the description of this extremely labor intensive task fills me with gratitude towards the inventor and producers of the modern washing machines.

Turns out that in addition to the permanent collection, ground floor is taken up by British Library’s Harry Potter: A History of Magic Exhibition.

Paralleled time line of the events of the wizard and Muggle worlds runs around the room.

Exhibit includes articles familiar from the Harry Potter films as well as history of alchemist’s, etc. Neighboring room has a collection based on witchcraft in history and popular culture. Among other artifacts is the first edition of the “The Lancashire Witches” by William H. Ainsworth that is still in print and read by many, even after 169 years.

Such is the human nature that an exhibition that was sold out in the British Library is nearly empty here. Despite the free entrance (or because of it)  I have the room for myself to enjoy.

Williamson park

The Williamson park and family memorial made another nice half a day exploration. The day was windy and sky clouded adding a bit of a mystical element to a view to the town.  Small way from the center (about 1.7 km) and on the top of a hill the memorial itself is visible from the town. I take a transport up and later walk back. Both turned out to be a good choices, it’s pretty steep hill but a lovely walk back to the center.

Memorial itself, the magnificent, green domed structure overlooking the whole town is open for a visit and will give you a chance to climb even higher to get a best view of the town and surrounding area.

One of many occupants of the Williamsons park butterfly garden.

Chameleon in the Williamson park butterfly house.

Next to the memorial are a  butterfly house, a small animal zoo and a nature trail with well written information. Myriad of butterflies, goldfish, turtles and even a chameleon live in a airy white domed building. Nice change for a days windy weather.

Once up on the hill, the park itself is easy walk with wide paths, plenty of greenery and fountains. All together a  lovely day out for a solo traveler or a family.

Nature reserve

With a more time in my hand, I try to fit in some time in the country side. Nature reserves are usually a good combination of a smaller crowds and yet interesting things to see. Reserves in England are as a rule well maintained and have a good information signs.

Leighton Moss with its wide range of wild birds confirms that you can occasionally allow humans close to nature and get some decent results.

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A great place to walk around, learn about a birds and enjoy some lovely views. When we were about to leave, a little robin came to say hello. It turns out they are every bit as friendly and charming as the stories tell.

Bowing my way out, fresh bread and a second life

Dough cutter on the window of bread shop in Lancaster.

On my way to the train station I notice something on one of the windows. It’s solid, has a mechanical look to it and is fire-engine red. On closer inspection it appears to be a cast iron device and the window belongs to a bakery. My intrigued glances have been noticed inside and I’m being waved to enter.

Warm smell of fresh bread is a lovely contrast to the near-storm conditions outside. The wind is not as strong as it was up the hill but the day is far from being mild.

Curly haired lady behind the counter who waved me in, chats with her customers while keeping her hands busy. Setting crusty loafs to the rustic rack, adjusting flat breads or rearranging things.

Fresh loafs, a rustic bread shelves and friendly people make the Filbert’s bakery a lovely drop by point.

Turns out that she is linguist by an education but decided to follow her passion for baking instead. “I don’t eat mediocre bread but in this town you couldn’t find even that. “ she explains the origin story.

When I continue toward the train station, munching on my second breakfast (an authentic British scone) I contemplate over the meetings with people who took a risks to follow an idea.

Scone in my hand is warm and has a nice crunch outside with a soft hint of sweetness and an occasional raisin. Sometimes things done with passion can carry an energy of its own. Even if only for a short while you get a feeling that world might occasionally make sense.

__________________

*I was a guest of The Visit Lancaster.  I’am proud to be an honest blogger and transparent blogger. Any opinion expressed is a result of a true personal experience.

Lancaster for a weekend. A place for stories of witch trials, save trade, prison tales and quicksands in a nice mix with local literary heritage. Lancaster has a dark and Gothic history that reflects in the architecture and stories of old times.

[priscillastudio]

Thanks to all the #cityofstories architects today at #livingroomonroosevelt - what makes you feel at home? You made a beautiful collaboration! #unasalaenlaroosevelt (at Jackson Hts, Queens)

[yoga-with-lucy]

Happy International Women’s Day♀10% off our Yoga Retreat when 4 people book together for our Escape to the Country Yoga Retreat 10-12th May, Acle @oldvicaragecampsite with @marginswalkandglamp . . . . #40daysofgratitude #reikiyoga #norfolkyoga #norwichyoga #tribenorfolk #norwichlife #norfolkliving #norwichfitness #norwich #norfolk #norwichblogger #norwichofinstagram #norwichnorfolk #lovenorfolk #norfolktribe #norwichnorfolk #norwichevents #norwichfitness #norfolkcounty #norfolkblogger #norfolkevents #cityofstories #enjoyingnorfolk #vegannorwich #norfolkvegan #norfolkglamping #norfolkmassage #Acle #visitnorfolk #norfolklife #norfolktribe #normalfornorfolk #wearenorfolk #zerowastenorwich #zerowastenorfolk #womenshistorymonth (at The Old Vicarage Campsite, Moulton St Mary) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuvfQFSDfoj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mrnvmnw0yh26