Salisbury

It was Mr F's birthday today and his birthday wish was to go to Salisbury. He particularly likes the cathedral, as unlike the one in Winchester, it has a spire (the tallest in the UK at 123m/404 ft) and hence looks like a proper cathedral.

The cathedral is unusual as the majority of it is built in one period so the architecture is the same throughout, unlike most where it changes.

To quote Wikipedia:
"The foundation stone was laid on 28 April 1220.[5] Much of the freestone for the cathedral came from Teffont Evias quarries.[6] Due to the high water table in the new location, the cathedral was built on only four feet of foundations, and by 1258 the nave, transepts and choir were complete. The west front was ready by 1265. The cloisters and chapter house were completed around 1280. Because the cathedral was built in only 38 years, it has a single consistent architectural style, Early English Gothic."

We've been on the tour of the cathedral - see Exercise, to see what effect that has had on me. The tour takes you above the roof and up the tower.

As it is Winter, the light in the cathedral has meant that I am disappointed with all of the photos. So here is part of the Milford Street Bridge Mural that depicts part of the city that is no more.

The part blipped from left to right shows:

Children playing with hoops and trolleys
A typical Victorian terraced house
Invicta Leatherworks - the factory provided local employment for nearly 70 years until 1969 when it was demolished
Eileen O'Leary - she was a resident of Salisbury but sailed with her husband on the Titanic and both died
The Crystal Fountain - originally part of a brewery
Trunky the Barrel Snatcher - a powerful man that stole barrels off the brewers drays in the early 1900s

Go large to see the detail

Smile factor:
We had a take away for dinner and as we are known there and it was Mr F's birthday, they gave us a bottle of pink bubbly. Typing this is taking longer than ususal

Exercise:
To climb the tower I have walked 332 steps up and down. My legs still ache. If you are visiting the cathedral I would highly recommend the tour. We have been twice now and the have learnt additional things each time