Tick-Tock

This week, it’s my turn to host Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. I decided on Clocks and Timepieces. Easy, I thought. Well, up to a point. There are plenty of clocks in towns, in stations, on churches and on public buildings. But too often they’re bit samey-samey. So I’m starting with one that we came upon by chance on our last day in Alsace, in Munster’s Catholic Church. It’s a modern Horloge de la Création, installed at the behest of André Voegele from Strasbourg, who has made it his ambition to install unusual timepieces. This one is interesting alright. It tells the time: hour by hour, minute by minute. But it also counts the years down, month by month; the days of the week; and the phases of the moon. It’s topped by a splendid cockerel, whom I chopped off a bit in my header photo. So here he is. I’m sure he’s a reliable alarm clock. Cocks usually are.

As to the rest. I have an indifferent photo of a clock that hasn’t functioned since 2007 – the Swiss Glockenspiel Clock in London; a clock outside St. Pancras Station; one from a station waiting room in Keighley; an intriguing one spotted outside an apartment block in Barcelona; the centrepiece of Thirsk’s Market Square; and a clock which is not a clock, but helps to govern the workings of the one high up outside Masham’s Parish Church. Now. Can you tell which is which?

And finally. A clock which is a shadow of its former self. This alarm clock sat in a hedge on a country road which I often passed during Daily Exercise in Lockdown. It stayed there for months after Normal Sevice had been resumed. It was always 8 o’clock. Then one day it disappeared. Life has not been the same since. I offer it to Becky for NovemberShadows.

The lonely alarm clock of Musterfield. Tells the correct time twice daily, but the alarm never rings.
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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

50 thoughts on “Tick-Tock”

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  15. The last one is funny, I do like the one with the 24 hours on it. I really struggled when we lived in Denmark, trying to work out what the time was after midday, got used to it eventually. Great post. Thanks for being our host.

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    1. I didn’t realise you didn’t ‘do’ the 24 hour clock. I’m so used to it, I prefer it now. Very puzzled when booking afternoon Zoom calls in the American way!

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  28. I love that last shot, such an incongruous sight! And a good mix of other clocks – some I know (Masham, St Pancras and the Glockenspiel), others not (really must go to Thirsk one day!)

    I’m a bit late this week as I wasn’t sure I had many clocks. Turns out I did, though as you right remark, they tend to be a bit samey, although I hope my final choice will make you smile – if you allow it, that is! https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-seeing-clocks-in-black-and-white/

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