tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post3528296300959329137..comments2024-03-29T11:52:29.453+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Durham Castle ...Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-29273413061856459092013-09-21T08:28:38.098+01:002013-09-21T08:28:38.098+01:00Hi Tina .. I know Colorado is going through its ow...Hi Tina .. I know Colorado is going through its own evaluation of repairs and reconstruction to be undertaken - after the terrible floods across the region .. <br /><br />I think some of the Harry Potter series was filmed in the Cathedral ... but the dining hall picture of the foreign students having Christmas lunch reflects the hall full .. <br /><br />Well of course we're both considerably older .. Sweden and the UK have similar history .. Sweden is probably older - history is fascinating though ... it's just we've recorded ours and searched for older eras and pieced together their history as best we can .. <br /><br />With thoughts re your floods .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-30314203573492180922013-09-21T03:12:42.051+01:002013-09-21T03:12:42.051+01:00The whole shoring up the foundation reminds me too...The whole shoring up the foundation reminds me too much of what we're doing here...that dining hall picture sent me right back to Hogwarts. It's hard to imagine 900 years of history. The US isn't even 300 yet...<br />Tina @ <a href="http://kmdlifeisgood.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Life is Good</a>Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08925730745204736744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-25074046321814394012013-09-13T09:48:35.654+01:002013-09-13T09:48:35.654+01:00@ Suze - yes certainly if the books are enormous, ...@ Suze - yes certainly if the books are enormous, the logistics of carrying them are a pain - well my back hurts! However if it's a reference book - I definitely prefer the real thing ... I find it easier to read and to refer back to .. <br /><br />Isn't the Norman Gallery stunning and chandeliers .. there are some amazing chandeliers around .. <br /><br />Delighted to see you here .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15330097312347446692013-09-12T17:03:24.561+01:002013-09-12T17:03:24.561+01:00Lugging a book of that size makes one think two th...Lugging a book of that size makes one think two things: do I want the digital copy? And is it at all possible that this compendium could have used an editor ... ?<br /><br />The image of the Norman Gallery is just fantastic. I am so glad I had the privilege to view it on your blog this morning! I am a great fan of chandeliers. Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-29532013419325154352013-09-10T20:13:25.773+01:002013-09-10T20:13:25.773+01:00Hi Tasha .. that's so kind of you - I just enj...Hi Tasha .. that's so kind of you - I just enjoy posting as I do .. so it's a quid pro quo .. I'm happy - you're happy ... delighted you enjoy coming over for a 'treat' ... lovely to have you here .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83589588132590078472013-09-10T15:13:40.907+01:002013-09-10T15:13:40.907+01:00Another treat from the "University of Hilary....Another treat from the "University of Hilary." Is "treat" too mundane? But a treat is a little tidbit of pleasure, so your posts are intellectual treats. Thank you.loverofwordshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763349886822924646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-87107555208014678922013-09-10T07:07:58.362+01:002013-09-10T07:07:58.362+01:00@ Karen - glad you enjoyed the travel with my word...@ Karen - glad you enjoyed the travel with my words ... <br /><br />@ Lee - they certainly don't make things to last now-a-days .. and I doubt if much will last .. aren't the thought of the tapestries amazing; While window cleaning is a little excessive isn't it!<br /><br />@ Teresa - I remember that thought .. and hope one day perhaps you can have a brief stay in one .. <br /><br />A Keep was a great tower and usually the most strong defended point of the castle, before outer walls were added .. for enclosing other members of the population - soldiers, horses, stores and then suppliers of goods etc<br /><br />@ Lynn - a tough life it must have been ... but then that was all there was .. and isn't it wonderful it's still in use today .. <br /><br />@ Tara - I think some of Harry Potter was filmed here .. but it might have been the Cathedral .. fantastic place for the imagination to roam though ... <br /><br />@ Gary - we had a good tour leader, and I now have a focus on information that might be useful later on!<br /><br />Gosh if I'd been visiting the next day .. I'd have know how you feel - thankfully the train protected me as I went back to London. Ushaw Moor looks a wonderfully open area .. and stunningly beautiful I imagine, despite the weather.<br /><br />@ Suze - yes, if we ponder how life is so easy for us now .. as pineapples all the year round ..<br /><br />... I like your descriptions .. we live plush and indulgent lives without much care of thought of how far we've come .. <br /><br />Cheers to you all - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-82681145592525363862013-09-10T05:12:59.771+01:002013-09-10T05:12:59.771+01:00It's a little amazing to me that we take somet...It's a little amazing to me that we take something like pineapples completely for granted. Our lives as so unimaginably plush and indulgent compared to the experiences of most of human history.Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-12918478466256592022013-09-10T01:49:34.763+01:002013-09-10T01:49:34.763+01:00Hi Hilary,
I have had the awesome delight of visi...Hi Hilary,<br /><br />I have had the awesome delight of visiting Durham Castle. Of course, your meticulous detail goes beyond what I would have described.<br /><br />Very good, my friend. My memory of the day I went to the castle was getting soaked outside later, waiting for a bus to take me to Ushaw Moor.<br /><br />Cheers.klahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-59706185852834431792013-09-09T21:15:41.754+01:002013-09-09T21:15:41.754+01:00so grand and gorgeous! would live to stay there so...so grand and gorgeous! would live to stay there some day. reminds me of hogwarts & sleeping beauty! oh the fantasy of castles! love it stands the test of time!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83745130778344395072013-09-09T16:31:57.885+01:002013-09-09T16:31:57.885+01:00What life must have been like, when it was first b...What life must have been like, when it was first built. Lovely that it is still in such good use.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1047844661652415482013-09-09T16:14:21.887+01:002013-09-09T16:14:21.887+01:00I love castles and have secretly wanted to live in...I love castles and have secretly wanted to live in one. <br /><br />I need to look up what a Keep is. <br /><br />TT. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-43336613069113406752013-09-09T15:59:36.718+01:002013-09-09T15:59:36.718+01:00Amazing how intact this structure has remained. T...Amazing how intact this structure has remained. They don't make things to last anymore like they did back then. Will any of the artwork or home decoratives of our age last anywhere near as long as those old tapestries did. Don't think I could afford a window cleaning bill like they have in that castle.<br /><br />Lee<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-43365315248195125802013-09-09T14:28:11.629+01:002013-09-09T14:28:11.629+01:00So grand and wonderful! Would love to visit someti...So grand and wonderful! Would love to visit sometime. In the meantime, I can vacation a little through your posts. :) Thanks so much!Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70724826785437305512013-09-09T06:30:26.679+01:002013-09-09T06:30:26.679+01:00@ Anne - I walked round the Cathedral - but was to...@ Anne - I walked round the Cathedral - but was too short of time for the tour .. as the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition was booked too ... <br /><br />If you ever get back there - the Castle is an excellent place to visit .. <br /><br />@ Milo - yes the Castle still stands ... modern buildings are not so well built - hope the Condo survives your residency!<br /><br />@ JJ - there is so much history to see here and in Europe .. just staggers the mind ... <br /><br />@ Sandie - I'd love to be able to send you a ticket - sadly not an option from this end! <br /><br />We are lucky with our back story to who we are here ... <br /><br />Cheers everyone .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-73418711348754943022013-09-09T02:10:55.779+01:002013-09-09T02:10:55.779+01:00The history just blows my mind because we don'...The history just blows my mind because we don't have it here. So interesting and thanks for sharing it. Hey you can send me a ticket and we could go look together any time! sandieChatty Cronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02232040517217024681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-87126237569530884832013-09-09T00:36:05.634+01:002013-09-09T00:36:05.634+01:00I have seen several of these sites, and love them....I have seen several of these sites, and love them. It makes me long to return to Europe.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14692103477055483000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54584110295603019212013-09-08T16:17:47.706+01:002013-09-08T16:17:47.706+01:00They've really stood the test of time. Can'...They've really stood the test of time. Can't say the same for my condo complex...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54649999287527838332013-09-08T14:52:54.972+01:002013-09-08T14:52:54.972+01:00It looks like a fascinating place. I've seen t...It looks like a fascinating place. I've seen the cathedral but never the castle. Thanks for the guided tour. MorningAJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04719744167307369768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-47795395220061858112013-09-08T08:17:16.802+01:002013-09-08T08:17:16.802+01:00@ Annalisa - it would be wonderful to just 'be...@ Annalisa - it would be wonderful to just 'be' there and think back across the centuries - perhaps taking a journey through the rooms as each has altered, and remembering the types of occupants.<br /><br />@ It is well worth a visit.<br /><br />And your comments re pineapples is spot on .. I was going to include it - but thought it would make the post even longer ...<br /><br />... also I thought about hiring a pineapple today - it would be off very quickly .. so hiring one could only really be done once?! Perhaps twice .. <br /><br />... is your head worth asking for a slice of said pineapple?!<br /><br />@ Munir - It's 'funny' there was no mention of dungeons ... <br /><br />It must have been interesting being a student in India and residing in one of the Colonial buildings .. and yes "The Residency" is the usual name ... fascinating that you had that experience ... <br /><br />@ Susan - the whole place was just stunning - and I do wish I could have seen it all .. but parts were off limits.<br /><br />The kitchen and buttery were amazing rooms .. I'd have liked to have spent longer .. but I guess next time I'll do another tour.<br /><br />@ Joylene - the hinges must be well oiled .. and the door was enormous. Think too of making the door though .. <br /><br />I was very impressed by the Castle and the fact we could have a tour of a working place - sort of brought it more to light .. and as you say 1,000 years is a long time ..<br /><br />@ Deniz - our narrow stairs we usually clamber up and down and are stone ... this was quite gentle and quite wide - it was a very comfortable staircase .. there was space! <br /><br />@ Susan - I'll ask Clare about her time at Uni there .. she said it was an incredible place ... and I hope we can B&B there at some stage.<br /><br />Thanks so much ... <br /><br />Lovely to see you all - and glad Durham has hit your brain maps!<br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80347008602336073932013-09-08T02:46:04.925+01:002013-09-08T02:46:04.925+01:00It must be amazing to attend university in surroun...It must be amazing to attend university in surrounding oozing with so much history. And it would be amazing to stay at the B&B there, too. I hope you get to do that next time.<br /><br />Just gorgeous. Thanks for the super post.Susan Flett Swiderskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09425315552148200073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-11776049225960896932013-09-08T00:38:31.768+01:002013-09-08T00:38:31.768+01:00Lovely post, Hilary!
I love climbing those scary n...Lovely post, Hilary!<br />I love climbing those scary narrow staircases in English castle keeps - the view is always worth it!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90579163751892085492013-09-07T19:15:39.303+01:002013-09-07T19:15:39.303+01:00I doubt I could budge that door. Massive, indeed. ...I doubt I could budge that door. Massive, indeed. Wonderful history, Hilary. Mind-boggling how much time has passed, all the changes. Thanks again for opening my eyes to all that has passed before me. Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-59668263706958451262013-09-07T16:52:28.190+01:002013-09-07T16:52:28.190+01:00Wonderful! I love that the buttery and kitchen, so...Wonderful! I love that the buttery and kitchen, so very old, are still in use.Susan Scheidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250142489341777926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-147335284598075912013-09-07T13:38:42.679+01:002013-09-07T13:38:42.679+01:00Ah Dungeons - - - they remind me of my college day...Ah Dungeons - - - they remind me of my college days in India. Our college was in the building that was built by the British and for a long time the area was called "The Residency" meaning the residency of the British officers. MunirGhiasuddinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232362559666320301noreply@blogger.com