Olympics sculpture

Near the cathedral there is an Olympics sculpture, a little bit camouflaged in this photo maybe

Olympics are coming!

 

On Wednesday the Olympic torch passes through Winchester, infact right past the bottom of my road! Here at the Cathedral they are obviously setting up for the arrival of the flame with a number of Olympic Flags. I have been working on the Olympics since 2010, and to say I have Olympic fatigue is not an understatement! However I really am quite excited about the torch coming here and the games themselves, I have even taken the day off work om Wednesday to try to see the torch!

Farmers Market at the Cathedral

I've seen the farmers market a few times now set up by the cathedral. I bought some very nice bread and scones and the free range eggs are cheaper than the supermarket

What's on at the Cathedral

 

The cathedral is not just about religious services and history, it has a lot of events going on, in and around its grounds. Outside theatre performances from The Twits to Shakespeare, organ recitals, military bands, tours, talks, kids activities, art, farmers markets, concerts, Olympics related events. 

Apologies also for the lack of posts (that's if there's anyone out there still looking at this blog!) which I blame partly on the London 2012 Olympics which I have been involved in since 2010. I recently discovered that the Olympic Torch will be coming to Winchester, a few steps away from my house!

Cathedral in the sun

The weather has been very nice here recently, and it always brings people outside, particularly here in front of the cathedral

Twelfth Night

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***

Skaters

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!

Misty path

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

Gravestones

A a misty morning at the cathedral

Grey

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

Autumn day

Last weekend outside the Cathedral

Remembrance Sunday

 
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.

More Ice Rink

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!

Christmas is coming!

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!

Still green

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!)****

Columns

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.

Cathedral

A side door of the Cathedral

Flooring

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

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

Cathedral Shop

 

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.