This bench mark is carved on the eastern wall of the cathedral of St Peter and the Lancaster Martyrs. Benchmarks were used by the Ordnance Survey until 1993. This one is one of the best-carved I have seen.

The symbol has been in use to mark Crown property since 1330. While the cathedral isn't Crown property, the Ordnance Survey is. The broad arrow was first used by King Edward III's butler to mark barrels of wine.

The ancient chapel of Saint Patrick is now in ruins. It was a place of pilgrimage for British early Christians and a small group of monks.

There are several odd architectural features such as the doorway here.

Lancaster Station once comprised stables for onward transport of goods. One of my customers showed me this picture of his grandad at the stables with his uncle and a cousin in the shot. His uncle died when fighting during WW1.

The corbicula is the term for a spoon-shaped indentation on some bees' legs where they carry pollen back to the hive.

This flower is a yellow snapdragon.

she doesn't look like a killer but she's partial to 'eating out'

Weeping Hill is the nickname for the hill running up to the castle gates. Here is the city at the end of the working day.Not a soul to be seen from here.

In the middle distance you can see the town hall clock tower (right); St Peter's Catholic Cathedral (center) and in the far distance you can see the Williamson Memorial.

In the foreground you can see the white house, known as the Engineer's House (I think it was the home of the engineer who looked after the castle), and to the left is the former building of Shrigley & Hunt (stained glass makers).

Lancaster, Lancashire, England was granted city status in 1937, due to its long association with the Crown and its role as the county town of the King's Duchy of Lancaster. Lancaster first received a charter in 1193 as a market town and borough, and in 1337 it was granted the right to appoint a mayor. In 1836, it was reformed as a municipal borough, governed by a corporation or town council.

Lancaster has a rich history, including a Roman station and castle. The oldest listed building in the area is part of a Roman fort wall, and Lancaster Castle dates back to the middle of the 12th century.

It turned into a fine day with a lovely sunset.

Listen to the band of HM Royal Marines as they play Sunset:

youtu.be/Wuje7ZCYXRA?si=fPhOCDZEFaDzK07n

Cheers all. zzzzzzz

Lancaster Cathedral. Designed by local architect EG Paley.

Marked for restoration. Cast iron, so it won't be easy.

📷 Google Pixel 6 Pro - Yellow Dahlia

on my Discovery apple tree

Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris).

It's rare now to see these out in the wild. It is always a springtime joy to see these flowers when walking about.

This little colony is spreading, I'm glad to note. They are important markers of the progress of the seasons to me.

Have you ever been sent somewhere for a 'long stand'?

Tomorrow, April 23rd, is Saint George's Day in England.*

Supposedly, the National Day; and yet, looking around, you'd never know it. Maybe the English would prefer to revert to the original patron saint, Saint Edmund, a genuine English martyr, killed by the invading Vikings.

So, four candles - not to be confused with fork handles. But the sketch in the link below sort of crystalizes a kind of English humour (note spelling) that I love (and where would the English be without a laugh?):

youtu.be/sO6EE1xTXmw?si=d26nO-QLOvWzGkf-

Happy Saint George's Day.

*I am deeply indebted to a kind friend who reminded me that Saint George's Day falls on 23rd of April (and not the 22nd as I had thought!)

Late afternoon.

Heuchera is a genus of largely evergreen perennial plants in the family Saxifragaceae. All species are native to North America except for Heuchera sichotensis, native to the Russian Far East. Common names include alumroot and coral bells.

Wikipedia

From my archive - a chance conversation today reminded me of this place, which was established in 1974.

I would go here as a teenager with my friend after a night on the town. Fresh beigels at 5 am - no problem. Just get there.

These days we would have smartphones, and order online in advance:

www.beigelbake.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopxskDHoGkvuC2MACUJv5V...

The buddleia is almost over, yet still perfumed like honey. A small white has lunch.

The full thump of a Petters diesel engine alerted me to this boat before I saw it.

One of the bits of town that's due to be developed. By whom and for what purpose is moot.

I call this sedum but apparently 'they' have renamed it Hylotelephium. I don't do well with change when the reason isn't clear. The DNA analysis seems to place this into a different family. Like Telephus, sedum is keeping silent about it.

📷 Google Pixel 8 Pro - Main Sensor (50MP) - Throwback June 2025 - Torquay Harbour

Mt Ruapehu, 6 years ago to the day. Seasons change and so do we.

Designed by Decimus Burton, this is one of three lights that guide shipping in the estuary. Still in use. The seating around the base provides welcome relief for walkers on the esplanade.

The pom pom seed heads have burst open to reveal these yellow flowers that sit like Ottoman turbans.

It was glorious this morning.

Daffs on the windowsill

I see the sea.

The steering platform is covered with something reminiscent of a classic perambulator to keep the operator dry in the rain. Rain? What's that?

The footbridge at Arnside was installed in 1910. Network Rail overhauled the bridge and it's good to go for another century.

The path ends at this kissing gate. I just love their simplicity and function purpose, and the skill with which they are made.