Tag: Architecture

Thursday doors – 1 August 2024, Manchester

Doors 273 – Doors of Manchester, UK, November 2023 (Part II)

Life is speeding up. It is already 1 August, the days are getting shorter, and so far 2024 has been a blur – it would be nice to be able to slow things down, at least for just a little while. It is probably my age, and a realisation that every moment is precious, but why would that make time go by faster? I am sure there must be studies on this kind of phenomenon, but I don’t have the time to seek them out and read them!

These doors were photographed last November while visiting Manchester with my daughter, who is currently travelling in Laos some 5,678 miles away from home, a stark contrast with Manchester, apart from the rain.

We are often our own worst critics, and I would say that there is only one ‘special door’ in this selection – I wonder if you can guess which one I think that is. Enjoy.

Royal Exchange Theatre doors and vaulted doorway, Manchester, November 2023
Royal Exchange Theatre doors and vaulted doorway, Manchester, November 2023
Three doors and grand doorway - Corn/Produce Exchange/Grocery, Manchester, November 2023
Three doors and grand doorway – Corn/Produce Exchange/Grocery, Manchester, November 2023
Not really a door, but just liked the view, Manchester, November 2023
Not really a door, but just liked the view, Manchester, November 2023
Shuttered door and wonderful tiles at Arthur Kay & Bro, Manchester, November 2023
Shuttered door and wonderful tiles at Arthur Kay & Bro, Manchester, November 2023
Green door, red tiles and an unintentional doorfie, Manchester, November 2023
Green door, red tiles and an unintentional doorfie, Manchester, November 2023
Ornate wooden scrolls and steps up to this door within an archway, Manchester, November 2023
Ornate wooden scrolls and steps up to this door within an archway, Manchester, November 2023

That’s all for this week. Happy August.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 25 July 2024, Manchester

Doors 272 – Doors of Manchester, UK, November 2023 (Part I)

My wife and I spent several of our weekends last autumn touring the country with our daughter, looking at potential universities. As it turns out, she has decided on Leeds University (one that I didn’t go to), and starts there in September. I did, however, accompany her to check out Manchester Metropolitan University, and these doors were snapped up during that visit.

I don’t know the city at all well, and so I struggle to place where these photographs were taken, but I think that most were in the sort of Piccadilly and surrounding areas, where we did most of our walking. Furthermore, I was very taken with the city, which had a great vibe about it and felt that my daughter would have enjoyed it there, but the campus at Leeds won her over.

I hope you enjoy this first of three sets of doors from this trip to Manchester. I say ‘this trip’ because I had another one a little bit later with work, and managed to capture a few more doors… to come.

Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023
Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023
Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023
Magnificent doorway and doors to redbrick building, Manchester, November 2023

Six beautiful doors and a very grand entrance archway. I am not sure what the building was (University, commercial, flats?), but it was very impressive.

New Union pub door, Gay Village, Manchester, November 2023
New Union pub door, Gay Village, Manchester, November 2023
China Town gateway, Manchester, November 2023
China Town gateway, Manchester, November 2023
Tall red doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Tall red doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Manchester Cathedral doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Manchester Cathedral doors, China Town, Manchester, November 2023

I must confess that I was rather underwhelmed by Manchester Cathedral, but only because I have been spoilt by seeing so many magnificent ones in recent months.

Entrance and doors to The Old Wellington pub, China Town, Manchester, November 2023
Entrance and doors to The Old Wellington pub, China Town, Manchester, November 2023

More from Manchester next time. Until then, may I wish you a most enjoyable end of week and weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 18 July 2024, Assisi, Umbria, Italy

Doors 271 – Assisi doors, Umbria, Italy, July 2023 (Part III)

Rather later than anticipated – I had to drop my son off at Heathrow Airport this morning – I bring you the last instalment of doors from Assisi which my family I and visited almost exactly a year ago today. I am pressed for time, and will let the doors do the talking.

Two remaining doors where there were once three, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Two remaining doors where there were once three, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Side doors and entrance to the Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Side doors and entrance to the Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
An archway spanning a street, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
An archway spanning a street, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Steps leading up to an iron gate and doors, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Steps leading up to an iron gate and doors, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Large door with pillars and portico balcony, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Large door with pillars and portico balcony, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Wooden doors in an altered brick/stone doorway, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Wooden doors in an altered brick/stone doorway, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Doors and shrine, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Doors and shrine, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023

So we say farewell to Assisi… until next time. I have one final selection of doors from last year’s trip to Umbria, but next time I think I will be turning my attention to somewhere closer to home. May I wish you all a fabulous end of week and weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 11 July 2024, Assisi, Umbria, Italy

Doors 270 – Assisi doors, Umbria, Italy, July 2023 (Part II)

This week I bring you a few more doors from a trip to Umbria last July – can it really be a year ago? This is the second selection from the beautiful and world renowned town of Assisi, home of the patron saint of animals, merchants and ecology, St Francis. Once again there is no theme to this selection of doors apart from the fact that they are all Assisi doors.

Can you guess which is my favourite?

Here we go:

A pair of doors with quite different designs, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
A pair of doors with quite different designs, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Nicely proportioned doors, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Nicely proportioned doors, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Wooden doors, stone steps, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Wooden doors, stone steps, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
fine wooden doors and stunning stone surround, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
fine wooden doors and stunning stone surround, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Ghost door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Ghost door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Possibly the best gelateria entrance anywhere, ever, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Possibly the best gelateria entrance anywhere, ever, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Slimline door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Slimline door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023

Naturally, the gelateria was my favourite, and although not strictly a door, the surround must have been a doorway at some point in time.

One more set of doors from Assisi next time, until then have a great weekend, and who knows…England could be European champions by then, or forlorn bridesmaids.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 4 July 2024, Assisi, Umbria, Italy

Doors 270 – Assisi doors, Umbria, Italy, July 2023 (Part I)

At last, a return to a warmer climate and a reflection on our family holiday to Umbria last year. I had set out to spend the week beside the pool, with a glass of wine to hand admiring the views, but when you are surrounded by hilltop cities, towns and villages, it is very difficult not to venture out and explore. My head says relax, but my heart says discover, and my heart won out.

This was a day trip we took to Assisi, a place that I have visited many times before, but each time I make new discoveries, and walk different routes. It is a beautiful town and fortunately most of the visitors stick to the lower end where the Basilica of St Frances is located. There is no theme to the doors this week, although the theme of Assisi doors would appear to be enough.

Today is a very important day in British politics, as well as American history. To the Brits I say don’t forget to vote and remember your photo ID and to our cousins across the pond I wish you a joyful Independence Day.

Here are some doors:

Temple of Minerva with central door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Temple of Minerva with central door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Iron archway door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Iron archway door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
A well lived door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
A well lived door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Church door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Church door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Fine arch surround and wooden door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Fine arch surround and wooden door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Door within a large door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Door within a large door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Arch surround and crest, with fan light and wooden door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Arch surround and crest, with fan light and wooden door, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Archway and shrine, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023
Archway and shrine, Assisi, Umbria, Italy, July 2023

Next time I will have some more doors from Assisi. Until then may I wish you a happy weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 27 June 2024 – Doors from Cheltenham

Doors 269 – Doors from Cheltenham, July 2023 (Part III)

Good morning from Bristol, where the mood has been lifted by a couple of wonderful warm days, although the clouds today probably signify the end of our summer! This week I bring you the final selection of doors from a visit I made to Cheltenham last July to experience the Cheltenham Paint Festival. There is not too much to say about these doors other than they are a random selection from my wanderings, I hope you enjoy them.

Double doors, one without door furniture, Cheltenham, July 2023
Double doors, one without door furniture, Cheltenham, July 2023
Typical Cheltenham door with ironwork awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
Typical Cheltenham door with ironwork awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
A new door (looks unpainted) with ironwork awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
A new door with ironwork awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
Cherrington Chambers double doors, Cheltenham, July 2023
Cherrington Chambers double doors, Cheltenham, July 2023
Grand entrance, door and fanlight window, Cheltenham, July 2023
Grand entrance, door and fanlight window, Cheltenham, July 2023
Green door, steps and wonderful fanlight window, Cheltenham, July 2023
Green door, steps and wonderful fanlight window, Cheltenham, July 2023
Door with graffiti and 'Apache attack helicopter' stencils, Cheltenham, July 2023
Door with graffiti and ‘Apache attack helicopter’ stencils, Cheltenham, July 2023

I have a busy day ahead, so that’s it I’m afraid for another week. Next time I am thinking a return to Umbria in Italy is on the cards, see you then.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 13 June 2024 – Street art doors

Doors 268 – Street art and graffiti doors of Bristol (and Weston-super-Mare)

I have been away from Bristol a bit this week, and not had any time to prepare my final part of Cheltenham doors, which I will share in my next Thursday doors post. When this happens, I tend to recycle some existing photographs that I have taken for my graffiti and street art blog posts. gather them together and post them as a doors collection. It is a pragmatic solution to a diminishing time resource window (any more corporate speak welcome at this point).

These doors (and I use the term as loosely as possible) were originally posted in March, April and May 2023, but may have been photographed before that. I hope you enjoy them. Normal service should resume next time.

Alex Lucas, Montpelier, Bristol, February 2023
Alex Lucas, Montpelier, Bristol, February 2023
Conrico, Boswell Street, Bristol, April 2023
Conrico, Boswell Street, Bristol, April 2023
Zase, Cottrell Road, Bristol, April 2023
Zase, Cottrell Road, Bristol, April 2023

I cheated a little with this one, but there is a door behind the wall.

Maybe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Maybe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023

Is a hatch a door?

Maybe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Maybe, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Aspire, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
Aspire, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023

Do car doors count?

That’s it for this week.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

Thursday doors – 6 June 2024 – Doors from Cheltenham

Doors 267 – Doors from Cheltenham, July 2023 (Part II)

I don’t have a great deal to say about the selection of doors this week, except that I took the photographs during a visit to last year’s Cheltenham Paint Festival, and of course, whenever I visit a town or city, for whatever reason, you will find me collecting doors or taking doorscursions. On that subject, I am off to York again next week and I am hoping to find some time to wander around York Minster and the surrounding area… watch this space (in about a year – my archive of doors is swelling).

There is no theme to these doors, but I hope you enjoy the collection nonetheless:

Recessed wooden door with a fine stone archway, Cheltenham, July 2023
Recessed wooden door with a fine stone archway, Cheltenham, July 2023

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Recessed door with a fine stone archway and windows, Cheltenham, July 2023
Recessed door with a fine stone archway and windows, Cheltenham, July 2023

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Grey, tatty door, Cheltenham, July 2023
Grey, tatty door, Cheltenham, July 2023

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Ordinary black door with typically 'Cheltenham' awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
Ordinary black door with typically ‘Cheltenham’ awning, Cheltenham, July 2023

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Do it yourself door decorations, Cheltenham, July 2023
Do it yourself door decorations, Cheltenham, July 2023

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Splendid white door and surround plus untintional doorfie, Cheltenham, July 2023
Splendid white door and surround plus unintentional doorfie, Cheltenham, July 2023

One more week of Cheltenham doors to come, and then possibly a return to Italy. Have a great weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 30 May 2024 – Doors from Cheltenham

Doors 266 – Doors from Cheltenham, July 2023 (Part I)

Last July, I made my annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham for the Cheltenham Paint Festival, which thanks to the tireless efforts of the organiser Andy Davies (Dice 67) is going from strength to strength. Of course, I took the opportunity (not for the first time) to photograph some doors while I was there. Cheltenham is a funny place in that it has some expensive and exclusive properties cheek by jowl with what we call these days ‘affordable housing’ (none of which is particularly affordable, but that discussion is for another day). The result is an eclectic mix of doors and periods – here is a taster for my first of three collections from last year’s visit:

Yellow door with an oval window, Cheltenham, July 2023
Yellow door with an oval window, Cheltenham, July 2023
Door with a flat-roofed awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
Door with a flat-roofed awning, Cheltenham, July 2023
Former Beatrice von Tresckow design shop font, Cheltenham, July 2023
Former Beatrice von Tresckow design shop font, Cheltenham, July 2023
Door to Former Beatrice von Tresckow design shop font, Cheltenham, July 2023
Door to Former Beatrice von Tresckow design shop font, Cheltenham, July 2023
Blue door, Ionic columns and an ornate veranda, Cheltenham, July 2023
Blue door, Ionic columns and an ornate veranda, Cheltenham, July 2023
Black door and ornate veranda, Cheltenham, July 2023
Black door and ornate veranda, Cheltenham, July 2023
Black door and steps, Cheltenham, July 2023
Black door and steps, Cheltenham, July 2023
Double doors with one sealed up, Cheltenham, July 2023
Double doors with one sealed up, Cheltenham, July 2023

I recall that I posted this last door once before in September 2019, although it looked quite different then. It is interesting how a lick of paint can completely transform the look of a building, and the impression it gives.

Pity about the scaffolding! Cheltenham, September 2019
Pity about the scaffolding! Cheltenham, September 2019

That just about wraps it up for this week, and I hope it serves as a taster for the next two Thursday Doors I’ll be posting. May I wish you a pleasant weekend.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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Thursday doors – 23 May 2024 – Doors from Highgate, London

Doors 265 – Doors from Highgate, London, November 2023 (Part V)

Forgive me if I appear a little distracted this morning, but I am still processing yesterday’s announcement by Rishi Sunak our Prime Minister, that we will be having a general election on 4 July (a special day on both sides of the pond), which is a little earlier than most were expecting. I’ll say no more about it, as Thursday Doors is a refuge from such matters, and instead focus on the final set of doors from a trip to Highgate in North London in November 2023, where I had lived for the majority of my teenage years.

I have also included a picture of the urinals in the public gents loo in Pond Square, simply because in spite of their function, they are elegant – they don’t make them like that any more (the old man in me says).

Most of these doors are from the Pond Square area, which is at the heart of Highgate ‘village’. When I was growing up, it was a place where teenagers would congregate to chat and make plans for which pubs they would try to get served in. It was also the focal point for the Pond Square Punks – it was the punk era, after all. I hope you enjoy the doors.

Blue doors of the Highgate URC Church, Highgate, London, November 2023
Blue doors of the Highgate URC Church, Highgate, London, November 2023

Pond Square public convenience and green door, Highgate, London, November 2023
Pond Square public convenience and green door, Highgate, London, November 2023

Black and white doors with flat-roofed awnings, Highgate, London, November 2023
Black and white doors with flat-roofed awnings, Highgate, London, November 2023

Yellow door with flat-roofed awning, Highgate, London, November 2023
Yellow door with flat-roofed awning, Highgate, London, November 2023

Cream and blue doors with flat-roofed awnings, Highgate, London, November 2023
Cream and blue doors with flat-roofed awnings, Highgate, London, November 2023

Had there once been a wider door to Burlington Court? Highgate, London, November 2023
Had there once been a wider door to Burlington Court? Highgate, London, November 2023

Unpainted door and an autumn feel, Highgate, London, November 2023
Unpainted door and an autumn feel, Highgate, London, November 2023

So that rounds things off nicely for this trip down memory lane, which I have really enjoyed sharing on Thursday doors. I have a great many folders of doors waiting in the wings but will keep my plans for next time as a surprise (mainly because I haven’t decided yet).

Have a great weekend, and if you live in the UK, batten down the hatches for six weeks of relentless electioneering.

If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.

by Scooj

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