An eventful morning.

[MoominPapa]

Well, for doing only four locks today, we've sure packed it in.

 

At the first lock, a boat called Judd was coming up as we arrived which turned out to be fitted with a Lister FR2. These engines are rare enough that whenever two meet their owners have to have a catch up and swap war stories, which was dully done.

 

Then two locks down, at Lowsonford, the lock was surrounded by cameras and furry microphones and luvies. There's a new scuplture at the lockside which we saw yesterday, and which was the focus of attention. I'd had my suspicions, so called out "Is that a Gormley?" To which the answer came, "Yes, what do you think?" I said, honesty, that I though it was wonderful. Which was fortunate, as there, sheltering under the bridge, was Sir Anthony himself!

 

It really is rather good: made of geometric rusty steel cubes, in the signature style; it reminded me strongly of myself as a small child, worrying my mother by standing too close to the edge and looking intently into the lock chamber.

 

 

MP.

 

[tree monkey]

Well, for doing only four locks today, we've sure packed it in.

 

At the first lock, a boat called Judd was coming up as we arrived which turned out to be fitted with a Lister FR2. These engines are rare enough that whenever two meet their owners have to have a catch up and swap war stories, which was dully done.

 

Then two locks down, at Lowsonford, the lock was surrounded by cameras and furry microphones and luvies. There's a new scuplture at the lockside which we saw yesterday, and which was the focus of attention. I'd had my suspicions, so called out "Is that a Gormley?" To which the answer came, "Yes, what do you think?" I said, honesty, that I though it was wonderful. Which was fortunate, as there, sheltering under the bridge, was Sir Anthony himself!

 

It really is rather good: made of geometric rusty steel cubes, in the signature style; it reminded me strongly of myself as a small child, worrying my mother by standing too close to the edge and looking intently into the lock chamber.

 

 

MP.

 

I like Gormleys stuff, have you seen the figures on Formby beach? Well worth a visit

[Mac of Cygnet]

I like Gormleys stuff, have you seen the figures on Formby beach? Well worth a visit

 

One of his more unexpected works was this chap I nearly tripped over, emerging from the pavement outside the Edinburgh Gallery of Modern Art.

 

[Mike Tee]

Formby beach

 

[gaggle]

Formby beach

 

Hall lane train station for visitors , more Crosby than Formby .

[Mike Tee]

Bit of a senior moment there! The picture came out of an album marked 'Crosby Beach', I must have been still thinking about tree monkey's post.

[MoominPapa]

The Crosby beach installation is on the list to see. We have, of course stopped on the way up the A1 and marveled at the Angel of the North from close up.

 

 

MP.

[onionbargee]

I can't stand sculptures disfiguring the natural landscape. Especially "modern" stuff. If I want to see rusty metal I can look at my own boat.

[system 4-50]

I can't stand sculptures disfiguring the natural landscape. Especially "modern" stuff. If I want to see rusty metal I can look at my own boat.

Mostly I agree, but the Angel of the North is an exception.

[bigcol]

Onionbargee

 

Having a good day?

 

Although a greenie to you

 

Made me laugh anyway

 

Col

[tree monkey]

Bit of a senior moment there! The picture came out of an album marked 'Crosby Beach', I must have been still thinking about tree monkey's post.

Yeah sorry about the geographic slip, we visited after an attempt to try to see the Formby red squirrels, unsuccessful unfortunately but the two places are now linked in my head

[churchward]

I like Gormleys stuff, have you seen the figures on Formby beach? Well worth a visit

They are super very atmospheric and quite moving when you see there.

[alan_fincher]

 

One of his more unexpected works was this chap I nearly tripped over, emerging from the pavement outside the Edinburgh Gallery of Modern Art.

 

 

I thought this was a photo of somebody trying to use the Elsan facility at Stonebridge!

[cuthound]

It's on the BBC West Midlands local news now!

 

Gormley's sculpture looks really good (if you like that kind of thing!)

[MoominPapa]

 

I thought this was a photo of somebody trying to use the Elsan facility at Stonebridge!

Yeah, that always makes my nipples stick out too.

 

MP.

[cotswoldsman]

My visit to Crosbyhttp://johnsloan.squarespace.com/diary/2009/9/16/100-nude-men-on-the-beach-15-september-2009.html

 

I sat next to Anthony Gormley for 8 hours on a plane once interesting man

[ditchcrawler]

Well, for doing only four locks today, we've sure packed it in.

 

At the first lock, a boat called Judd was coming up as we arrived which turned out to be fitted with a Lister FR2. These engines are rare enough that whenever two meet their owners have to have a catch up and swap war stories, which was dully done.

 

Then two locks down, at Lowsonford, the lock was surrounded by cameras and furry microphones and luvies. There's a new scuplture at the lockside which we saw yesterday, and which was the focus of attention. I'd had my suspicions, so called out "Is that a Gormley?" To which the answer came, "Yes, what do you think?" I said, honesty, that I though it was wonderful. Which was fortunate, as there, sheltering under the bridge, was Sir Anthony himself!

 

It really is rather good: made of geometric rusty steel cubes, in the signature style; it reminded me strongly of myself as a small child, worrying my mother by standing too close to the edge and looking intently into the lock chamber.

 

 

MP.

 

But who paid for it, CaRT? (us)

[MoominPapa]

But who paid for it, CaRT? (us)

The Landmark Trust, I think. They own the classic barrel-roofed Stratford canal lock cottage there, and this is one of five sculptures at Landmark Trust properties, The others are all at the coast.

 

MP.

[David Mack]

The Landmark Trust, I think. They own the classic barrel-roofed Stratford canal lock cottage there, and this is one of five sculptures at Landmark Trust properties, The others are all at the coast.

 

MP.

I think the National Trust still own it. Its just let out as a holiday cottage through the Landmark Trust.

[cuthound]

I wonder how long it will be before someone uses it as a bollard and damages it?

 

Apparently it is only there for a year and then it will be removed.

[MoominPapa]

I think the National Trust still own it. Its just let out as a holiday cottage through the Landmark Trust.

I stand corrected. Did the National Trust own the whole canal in the era when they ran it? Was it privatised with the others and then handed over to the NT, and did they hand it back when BW took control.

 

MP.

I wonder how long it will be before someone uses it as a bollard and damages it?

 

It looks pretty substantial. I doubt using it as a bollard would do it any harm. Much more solid that some of the things I've wrapped a rope around.

 

MP.

[dogless]

Looking forward to seeing it, and the beech figures.

Wonderful stuff....but I also like the poetry at Hillmorton.

Rog

[ditchcrawler]

The Landmark Trust, I think. They own the classic barrel-roofed Stratford canal lock cottage there, and this is one of five sculptures at Landmark Trust properties, The others are all at the coast.

 

MP.

I have just seen a picture on Facebook, its bit of a silly place to put it.

[MoominPapa]

I have just seen a picture on Facebook, its bit of a silly place to put it.

Howso? It's on the offside.

 

MP.

[ditchcrawler]

Howso? It's on the offside.

 

MP.

Still right on the edge of the lock.