Tuesday 29 October 2013

Peripatetic Pianist and a Plot

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As can be seen by the clothing this is not an October scene but the middle of summer and a warm day in York (tourist central by York Minster). I can't remember what the peripatetic pianist was playing but he was in prime position as this is a joining of many pathways.  When he gets thirsty for a pint it is possible to call into the pub on the far right  which was built on the site of where a notorious plotter was born, and takes his name -
Guy Fawkes, 
And as the rhyme goes:-   
"Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s mercy he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match."
 That was way back in  1605 and everybody still enjoys the bonfires and fireworks that November 5th brings every year.  Fast forward a couple of centuries and a overheated chimney flue meant the whole edifice burnt to the ground anyway (wonderfully captured by JMW Turner who painted the blaze in watercolour sketches from a barge on the Thames). 
Westminster Bridge and Houses of Parliament, London
Look there is still a barge there today ready to prop up an easel if anything catches alight in the Parliament buildings, but that would be to deprive us of Augustus Pugin's wonderful Gothic towers and spires.
So I'll  just keep it to a virtual disaster with a heat map.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet sojourning this week at P

16 comments:

Carver said...

I enjoyed the photography and narrative. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Reader Wil said...

Thank you for this terrific post! English history is just as colourful as the second picture!
Have agreat week.
Wil, ABCW Team.

Rajesh said...

Fantastic images and what a place to play piano.

Richard Lawry said...

You made me look up the word "peripatetic" :)
An Arkie's Musings

photowannabe said...

I think you win the prize for the most P words.
Great and informative Post.

Ann said...

There's some tongue twisters in there. Great shots of the piano and player.
Ann

Roger Owen Green said...

A lovely alliteration, and love the 1st word in the title.
ROG, ABCW

Berowne said...

Remarkable response to this week's letter. Well done.

Photo Cache said...

enjoyed the street photography on first image.

Ewok's ABC WEDNESDAY

Hildred said...

Oh this was a great post. I'm glad to see Guy Fawkes day remembered, - it doesn't seem as if the younger generations remember the 5th of November here in Canada - perhaps they don't learn about it in school any more?

Hildred said...

Oh this was a great post. I'm glad to see Guy Fawkes day remembered, - it doesn't seem as if the younger generations remember the 5th of November here in Canada - perhaps they don't learn about it in school any more?

Lea said...

Interesting street scene!
I like the heat map, too.
Lea

Hazel said...

The moment you said 'plotter' I made a guess and it was right :) I stayed at Guy Fawkes Hotel for 2 nights. Wonderful time in a beautiful city!

ChrisJ said...

I must have been so caught up with Guy Fawkes and Bonfire night as a child that I didn't even know the Houses of Parliament actually burned down two centuries later! Neither did my husband! Thanks for furthering my education!

ChrisJ said...

P.S. The word peripatetic is so associated with England for me. Also the word 'penultimate'. It seems the only time I ever hear them used is from an English person. Both of them good words. Great post!

Ercotravels said...

Nice images and thanks for visiting our blog :)