Updated Picture For Eric

quote:

Originally posted by

I thought it was going to be gold topped; it must of cost a few bob!

Paul

Paul,

Many thanks for the lovely pics. I understand the new part is to let in more light which may well be the case but I think the remains of the main teacher will be placed there as per tradition in Tibet although I seem to be alone in this view. I have a £10 bet on this.

So what is the new part made of? Lead, zinc, tin? With some gold ornaments? The very top ornament is a 'vajra' there seem to be a whole bunch of them now which must be relatively new. A temple like this is built to very exact symbolic criteria and every aspect and detail has meaning though I forget exactly what. They do tours on weekends and it is worth a visit.

Strange but I never went inside the church in Bardsea (I have always loved village churches)but I loved the church further along the road towards your neck of the woods, the one right on the sea shore, i've forgotten the name. I used to sit outside it and look across Morecambe bay.

Paul, once again, many thanks

Erik

The roof looks like it is panels of gold-sheet to my eyes, although it is difficult to photograph due to the reflections, and in the photo looks like polished tin. The gold statues are embellished with gold by all accounts. It really is a sight to behold!

Quite a few years ago I did some work there on weekends as a favour to a mate. It was known as Conishead Priory in those days. I installed the heating systems in the quadrangle flats (clock tower being one such block), which were being converted into living quarters for visiting budding Buddha’s. Fast forward a few years. I called to check a system over in one of the courtyard houses which formed the quadrangle, and, in this particular house was a guy sculpting an object in clay, which turned out to be those statues you now see surrounding the roof. He was a university lecturer in sculpture, possibly forensic sculpture, I cannot remember his name. But he was incredibly willing to discuss at length what he was doing, and me being fascinated with this lump of clay, spent the entire afternoon listening to him.

Aldingham is name of that church on the sea front.

I see on another thread that you’re thinking of emigrating?

Piel Islands King has abdicated, so a new King is wanted! You will have your own throne and licensed public ale house. Piel castle itself needs a bit of work, as it’s an historic ruin. All the rooms are of the open plan design and it doesn’t have a damp course or roof come to think of it, but the windows have magnificent sea views, which is a plus point. Oh nearly forgot, the tide comes in very quick, so one must be careful when navigating the sands.


King Eric the Thundercat the 1st. Sounds quite regal to me what do reckon? I could fix you up with an application form if you like.

Paul

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beano:

That roof must look amazing in the sunlight. I expect there is a couple of layers of gold leaf and would have cost a bomb.

The sculpter who did the 8 foot high Buddha and several of the smaller bodhisattvas (housed inside)was Italian if I recall rightly. I dont know if he was the chap with whom you talked?

I lived on the second floor of the main building when I was a resident but the quadrangle flats are said to be the best places to live although the views from elsewhere are better.

Aldingham it is. I knew it began with an 'A'. I have walked from the beach at the Priory to Aldingham and back again and it is a jolly nice walk. Have you ever seen where someone has cut messages into large stone slabs on the beach back towards the Priory? Must have been a stone mason and taken hours of work.

I like the Piel Island idea. I'm just the man for the job. I would apply to be a member of the EU and live on subsidies for the rest of my life.

All the best,

Erik (King)

The Sculptor if memory serves me correctly, was sculpting not a Buddha, but some kind of animal, like an Onyx or Ibis? And it wasn’t a direct lifelike copy, if you know what I mean. It was the centre piece on the previous roof to what you see now. If he was Italian he had good English. I was in awe just watching and listening to this chap, and it gave me a valuable insight and lesson in appreciation of sculpture.

A lot of the work carried out on the Priory, is all done by people who give their time up for free, with materials being the biggest cost. This is why these projects take years rather than months. This is probably why, after me doing about twenty heating systems the resident foreman (jack-of-all-trades), trainee Buddha (put me straight on what they’re officially called) sussed out how to do it himself, and I was reduced to commissioning and fuel supply only. LOL

That stretch of beach has suffered heavy erosion over the past couple of years; I’ve not walked down that route for years. One for me and the wife of an evening me thinks.

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by Beano:
The Sculptor if memory serves me correctly, was sculpting not a Buddha, but some kind of animal, like an Onyx or Ibis? And it wasn’t a direct lifelike copy, if you know what I mean. It was the centre piece on the previous roof to what you see now. If he was Italian he had good English. I was in awe just watching and listening to this chap, and it gave me a valuable insight and lesson in appreciation of sculpture.

A lot of the work carried out on the Priory, is all done by people who give their time up for free, with materials being the biggest cost. This is why these projects take years rather than months. This is probably why, after me doing about twenty heating systems the resident foreman (jack-of-all-trades), trainee Buddha (put me straight on what they’re officially called) sussed out how to do it himself, and I was reduced to commissioning and fuel supply only. LOL

That stretch of beach has suffered heavy erosion over the past couple of years; I’ve not walked down that route for years. One for me and the wife of an evening me thinks.

Paul

Paul,

OK different chap. It is a deer. Buddha gave his first teaching in the deer park at Benaris. THis is called Buddha's first turning of the wheel of dharma (dharma being the teachings)so you see a wheel with a deer either side of it over the main entrance.

Trainee Buddha is fine. Actually they have history of doing work themselves and bodging it (the roof of the temple was bodged 3 times)by the time they get a pro in to put it right they have spent much more than paying the pro to do it in the first place.

That particular stretch of beach is maybe mid way between Aldingham and the Priory, not far from a house that is partially on stilts.

There are a couple of big stone slabs (not very high so you have to be near to see them)and someone has carved (exactly like tombstone quality)the names of a bunch of ulverston and Barrow friends who spent a summers day there once. It starts with the date (70s?)and how a group on the radio called ABBA are playing a song caled 'waterloo' - (if I remember rightly)its really rather sweet and poignant and nostalgic to read. It goes on quite a bit and must have taken ages to do. Its a sort of testament to a moment in time.

It would would make for quite a nice hunt to find it especialy if you have children. I wonder what has become of all those whose names are listed. Its a strange thing to find on a lonely stretch of beech and quite unique. Its a good spot for a picnic, nude sunbathing and hankypanky.

Eric, I mentioned these Stone carvings this morning while having my early morning espresso at a mate’s cafe. They’re located at Baycliff near the Fisherman’s Arms, down a little access lane, where the house are like something you would see on Malibu beach.
They were carved by a stonemason whom had visited the area several times on holiday.

My friends Mum (family business) dated them to possibly late1960s early 1970s. They’re done in a poetic verse kind of way apparently, a well kept local secret too! The wonders of the internet being what it is. They’re not anymore. LOL

Because you wouldn’t believe this, they are virtually right on my own doorstep, and I’d never heard of them until you mentioned them. I’ll be searching them out.

Paul

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beano:

Paul,

Yes, I'm sure your friend is right, the lane at Baycliffe is the easy way, I think you turn left at the bottom. I nearly bought one of those malibu houses but did not want to be so dependent on a car so I plumped for Bardsea which is walking distance to Ulverston (and of course the priory). Of course once I sold my cottage in Bardsea prices in the area sky rocketed.

I only saw the stones once. I went for a walk with a german girl who was staying at the Priory on a working holiday. It was hot a sunny day and when we 'discovered' the stones we sat and had a picnic then she stripped off naked to sunbathe and then....well I have great memories of the place.

I've been to the Fisherman's arms a few times and I quite liked cycling to the little village with the waterwheel for lunch (cant remember that name either - must be old age)

Happy searching

Erik (Monarch)

http://www.gleastonmill.demon.co.uk/millsite/

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by Beano:
http://www.gleastonmill.demon.co.uk/millsite/

Paul

Ah yes, that's the place. I often went there for lunch to escape the thousands of tree huggers at the Priory festivals and their 'delicious vegetarian meals' which were little more than a luke warm bowl of slop and some soggy lettuce. Many thanks.

Erik (Sovereign)

Well I've found the stone carvings at last; they were done by an chap called William (Billy) Stables in 1977, an accomplished stonemason and nude sun worshipper who is no longer here.

Looking west toward the priory.



Looking east toward Barrow.











The carvings as you can see are a bit worn in places, but well worth searching out. We had a very pleasant walk last night and got talking to an occupant of one of the houses on stilts, who told us a little bit about them which I have shared with you.

Thanks for reminding me about them.

Paul

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Beano:


Hi Paul,

'Knowing me knowing you' that was the song. Great stuff. Many thanks for the pics which brought back memories. What a thing to find on a lonely beach eh? Yes, the stones have worn a good deal. I am very much looking forward to popping up to Cumbria again soon. It is very much home to me.

Thanks once again,

Erik