Thursday 9 July 2009

Angel in the sky

Our holiday is over, we had a great time and I now have heaps of photos to sort before posting. Seeing as this is a major undertaking, I'll ease my way back into blogging gently and start off with a Skywatch post.

For most of our week away the sky looked like this. Blue, blue and more blue. This is the controversial and very large Angel of the North, which looms over the motorway not far from Newcastle. There are undoubtedly much better photos of this statue but, considering I took this one from the back of a motorbike whilst travelling along the A1, I think it's not bad.

Head over here for more lovely skies.

Addendum. A little more info on The Angel of the North, since Gayle was asking.

There was much controversy at the time the statue (sculpture?) was erected, lots of opinions were expressed, by the newspapers as well as local people, as to whether this was art or an eyesore! We happened to be coming past the first day it was unveiled and there were long tailbacks on the A1 as everyone wanted to get a look at this 'blot on the landscape/beautiful sculpture' (delete as applicable).

At the time, I thought it was an ugly piece of rusty metal which looked totally unbalanced due to the shape and length of the wings, and that it stood out like a sore thumb. These days I am probably just ambivalent. I don't pass it very often but, when I do, it certainly draws the eye.

Follow the link to its website to see more photos, these illustrate just how large and prominent it really is. A few opinions, both good and bad, are also mentioned.

31 comments:

Louise said...

I thought it was an airplane that was nose down in the ground at first. Definitely not bad for from the back of a motorbike!

Sylvia K said...

I think you did an extraordinarily well from the back of a motorbike! Terrific photo and those are BLUE skies! Sounds like fun!
Have a great weekend!

Maria said...

Expert skywatcher snapping shots while motorcycling! Kudos!
why is she controversial? I can think of a few reasons...but what were the 'official' controversies?
*A wonderful weekend to you*
~Maria

Thomgib said...

I feel the skill of the LSH piloting the motorcycle at the time should be also mentioned

Gayle said...

I did not get a feel of your approval or disapproval so....I do not want to offend, but I hate it. What a horrible feature on a beautiful hillside. Mind you, I love art, bizarre stuff, even flashy, but I think it's just ugly.

The blue skies are awesome, though. I'm glad that is what you saw a lot of on your trip.

Regina said...

Nice one. Great shot.

Pearl Maple said...

Well it sure is a talking point for people travelling that road. Art is such a subjective thing it is either to your taste or not but always interesting. Thanks for sharing with us all.

Maria said...

I followed the link and saw that the angle is quite a large scultpure!
Somehow I did like it.
Wow, and you took the photo while motorcycling! Well done :))

Maria said...

angel *gg*

Jo said...

Awesome blue skies. I can relate to taking photos from the back of a motorbike:>) glad you had a good holiday and look forward to reading all about it.

Greensboro Daily Photo said...

I love your comment "keep looking up." That should be come the motto for Sky Watch Friday! Loved learning about that statue and catching up on your majestic dog pics!

Roses and Lilacs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ninja said...

Jealous, jealous, jealous for your clear sky.

Roses and Lilacs said...

I went to the wrong web site. When I re entered the url you posted I found the collies. Thanks for the tip. I've been a collie person all my life. Great photo with wonderful blue color.
Marnie

alicesg said...

Oh you have an angel too. :) I guess that is arts. It is supposed to make people talk about it. Once I saw a sculpture but no matter how I looked at it, it looked like a watermelon but it was actually a seed of a fruit...lol

MonikaRose said...

Hello and thank you for visiting, your photo makes me want to take off and fly with those wings, I am sure I can make it...have a fab day. cya MOnikaRose. To be among the blues and whites is the most amazing experience ever...

ProdigalWife said...

I'm with Louise--I thought it was a plane! Lovely sky though.

Mo said...

You took this from the back of a motorbike? Woah be careful

Glennis said...

I supose the idea of an angel statue was a good one to watch over everyone around, but it doesn't look very angelic really with its long straight wings that look like plane wings. Still you did well getting that shot from the back of a motor bike!

Unknown said...

It does not look funny to me. well, perhap it just an art.Thanks for the visit of my blog & have a wonderful weekend.

BCxFour said...

I went to the site and read all about the angel and strangely enough it has been on my thoughts today. I am not sure why...but I can understand why it is controversial.

Beautiful shot though...and amazing you did it from the back of a motorcycle! Wow!

kRiZcPEc said...

thanks for sharing. have a great weekend.

CTG Ponies said...

Great shot from the back of a motorbike! The angel certainly is eye catching.

jabblog said...

Great photograph but I find things like the Angel of the North quite distracting when driving though thoroughly enjoyable as a passenger. There are some wooden sculptures at the side of a main road in this area and they always cause a 'double take' when I see them.

Golden Samantha said...

I think it's interesting that you passed by the day it was unveiled. Beautiful skies - lucky you and great photo from the back of a bike! Yowzers. Before commenting on it though, I would want to see it through my own doggie eyes!
Hugs xo
Sammie

Linnea said...

Oh, that's interesting. I too at first thought it was an airplane! Great shot considering where you were when you took it! Thanks for visiting mine. Hi from Norcal!

diane b said...

We went up to the sculpture when we there last year. I was rather impressed by it and how it was made and erected.
A good shot especially from the back of a motor bike.
You were luckier than us with the sky, it was grey, grey, grey when we were there.

Unknown said...

How interesting! I'd vaguely heard of the "Angel of the North" but it was great actually see it and hear the story behind it...thanks for sharing!

Hsin-Yi

Amber and Nala said...

It's hard when something new goes up like that....especially if it obstructs a view you are used to. :)

Dot O said...

I think it's a cool piece of art but what amazes me the most is that you snapped it while on the back of a motorbike - you are very brave.

Great entry for Skywatch!

Suldog said...

I think it's a fascinating piece of sculpture, whatever it's interpretation by others. I don't know that I'd want it in my backyard, but it sure is interesting.