Tag Archives: castle

Nov 03 2025
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Daily Post, Sport

Lancaster City FC

Saturday 1st November 2025, 4.30pm (day 5,182)

Lancaster City FC, 1/11/25

I do generally limit the number of football shots published on here but after having had a couple of extra days to think about it, I do think this is the most pleasing shot I captured today. The view from the terrace at the Giant Axe (the name of Lancaster City’s stadium) encompasses both Lancaster Castle and the railway station — though I never captured the money shot, including both the ball and a train.

This shot was better than the match itself, which finished 0-0. In fact, the shot of Clapham Common two weekends ago was of a match that also finished 0-0. I doubt this coincidence is a meaningful one however.

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Jun 12 2025
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Daily Post, Family Member, Portrait

“One day lad, all this will be yours”

Wednesday 11th June 2025, 11.50am (day 5,039)

Doune Castle window, 11/6/25

Joe makes his first appearance on the blog since December. Why this window? Why the post title? This is Doune Castle, and some 51 years ago, in 1974, Michael Palin and Terry Jones were stood by this very window during the filming Monty Python and the Holy Grail; Doune stood in for at least four different castles in the movie. “But mother…..” “Father, lad, father.” “But father….. I don’t want to marry her, I just want to, want to…..” (The ignorant can check out the scene at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3YiPC91QUk)

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Jan 20 2025
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Daily Post, Landscape

High Knoll Fort

Sunday 19th January 2025, 12.35pm (day 4,896)

High Knoll Fort, 19/1/25

I spent the day entirely in my accommodation, marking. Something I could have done at home (whether on a Sunday or otherwise). The options for a photo were of the garden at the flat, or its view, so let’s try the latter. I have a decent view at home, too… but the day was what it was. Anyway this is High Knoll Fort, or one end of it anyway: a significant St Helena landmark, visible from most of one half of the island, which is, of course, why they built it there.

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Jul 03 2024
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Art and architecture, Daily Post, Flora/Fauna

In Carisbrooke Castle

Tuesday 2nd July 2024, 12.40pm (day 4,695)

In Carisbrooke Castle, 2/7/24

He’s just discovered running. Which means he’s discovering the pleasure of chasing things. The gull will tolerate it for now: revenge will come later, when the kid’s chips get stolen.

This cameo played out in the grounds of Carisbrooke Castle, in the centre of the Isle of Wight — worth a visit, if you want a recommendation. It was the place that Clare and I saw out much of our silver wedding anniversary: we were married on 2nd July 1999, and have made it this far, at least.

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Dec 20 2022
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Art and architecture, Daily Post

Edinburgh Castle

Tuesday 20th December 2022, 1.15pm (day 4,135)

Edinburgh Castle, 20/12/22

This is a fine building — or, rather, a complex of buildings. Taken, with a long zoom, from the slopes of Allermuir Hill, the north-eastern terminus of the Pentland Hills. Behind, across the Firth of Forth, the shore of Fife. It’s somewhere other than home, anyway.

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May 12 2021
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Daily Post, Urban scene

Desert fortress?

Wednesday 12th May 2021, 1.35pm (day 3,548)

Fortress rodblok, 12/5/21

Out in the harsh desert wastes of the Karakatarmakadam Mountains, the stark grey stonework of the Fortress of Rodblok stands astride the gravel flats, beside the dried-up river valley. Abandoned for centuries, the winter winds are now all that move through its lonely halls. No longer do pilgrims visit to pay homage to the great Red Icon embedded in its highest reaches.

Or, possibly, it’s a plastic object of some sort lying around in that roadbuilders’ yard on the way to Mytholmroyd. See it how you like.

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Aug 17 2020
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Daily Post, Family Member, Portrait

Clare at Clitheroe Castle

Monday 17th August 2020, 12 noon (day 3,280)

Clare, Clitheroe castle, 17/8/20

Clitheroe Castle is at least 910 years old but despite having been in a state of general ruin since the English Civil War, that is the 1640s, it is just about still standing on a spot with a really good view (as castles should have).  On our first day of a week off work for the both of us, Clare enjoys said view — ignoring the rain coming in behind.

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Mar 08 2020
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Daily Post, Sport

Beneath the castle walls

Saturday 7th March 2020, 2.55pm (day 3,117)

Richmond Town FC, 7/3/20

The walls of the castle at Richmond, North Yorkshire, have been there for some 900 years now: they’re not as intact as once they were, but still form an impressive backdrop to the town — and here, its football club. I lived near here for a few years in the mid-1990s, it always seemed like the ‘big city’  in a way but it’s a tiny town in actuality, a sign of how far out in the sticks I was at this time. I don’t miss living there and haven’t been back much at all, but it was pleasant to return for a day trip today.

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Mar 24 2017
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Art and architecture, Daily Post

Osaka Castle

Friday 24th March 2017, 11.30am (day 2,038)

Osaka Castle, 24/3/17

I’m sure this is the standard tourist shot but never mind, this was an impressive place. Built around 1590 and destroyed at least twice since, first in 1615 and then again in 1868, this is more like a museum that was built to resemble the original castle keep (the disabled access elevator at the front was probably not part of the architect’s original design), but it was still well worth a visit.

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Oct 23 2016
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Art and architecture, Daily Post

Arundel Castle walls

Sunday 23rd October 2016, 10.45am (day 1,886)

Arundel castle walls, 23/10/16

Arundel Castle in Sussex dates from the 12th century, and is a great study in just how much power and privilege remains on this smallish island off the coast of Europe. The castle walls are monstrously immense. This place is like Gormenghast, a vast fortress rising above a small town above, but otherwise relatively isolated, ruling over a huge swathe of countryside. Most countries got rid of their aristocracies a hundred or so years ago, of course, but we in England haven’t got round to it yet, so this place is still lived in — the home of the 18th Duke of Norfolk.

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