Ok ok...so I've decided to ditch the pseudo-alphabetical tip I was on and get down to serious business!! Couldn't think of anything for 'E' anyway (nothin' legal that is). Right. So Winchester. I'd been hankering to visit this delightful southern city for a few years now but Brighton, Brussels or Barcelona always seemed far more exotic destinations than boring old Winchester with its poncey cathedral, identikit high street and awful fat chavs. How wrong I was!!
The town boasts Th
e original Public School in the 'posh twat' tradition - Winchester College. Less famous than Harrow or Eton, retaining the likes of journalist Martin Bashir amongst its famed alumni, the school reflects Winchester's status as the ancient capital of England with its long-held traditions.
e original Public School in the 'posh twat' tradition - Winchester College. Less famous than Harrow or Eton, retaining the likes of journalist Martin Bashir amongst its famed alumni, the school reflects Winchester's status as the ancient capital of England with its long-held traditions.Even more exciting was the unexpected presence of King Arthur's fabled 'knights at the round table' table...as in the actual table...or at least a
touristically acceptable version of said table - who could tell, there was a distinct lack of information about the place as to why the table was hoisted up against the wall...anyway, very cool it was.Pretty Winchester also featured an historic working mill generating a picturesque bubbling stream through the town. The ancient roman high street contained 
a range of quaint architectural styles towering above foreboding dark narrow passages. The use of flint within many of the town buildings gives Winchester a distinct architectural flavour I have yet to see employed anywhere else in the UK (though it must be...surely!) The Masonic centre pictured right provides a great example of this beautiful style.
a range of quaint architectural styles towering above foreboding dark narrow passages. The use of flint within many of the town buildings gives Winchester a distinct architectural flavour I have yet to see employed anywhere else in the UK (though it must be...surely!) The Masonic centre pictured right provides a great example of this beautiful style. Go to Winchester! Apparently they have a cathedral there. But no rifles.
I really should go back to Winchester; the one time I was there was for the (long gone) Crusades Experience - mannequinned vignettes telling the journey of a Crusader from home to Acre. The dummies had blank faces onto which were projected actors' faces telling the story. Simple, yet effective (to my 12-year old eyes).
ReplyDeleteThe 'Round Table' is most definitely not Arfur's though (especially since he don't exist) but Edward I's. This period was the boom of chivalry, and it allowed Edward to play the Arthurian myth to bolster his own position.
Thanks god I have a proper English gent to fill in the gaps!!
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