NUMBER 846

BENCHMARKS continued

The second one from the Edinburgh trove of Michael Byrne is in Bruntsfield Place, on the outside door pillar of a shop called Nordic Outdoors, sporting a fresh coat of white paint.

Below: A 'mark on Bruntsfield Place in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

 

 Above: Looking south back along Bruntsfield Place, with the 'mark at centre right.

NUMBER 845

BENCHMARKS continued

Michael Byrne emailed last week to inform that he was “in Benchmark Heaven”. For earthly souls who will never appreciate the euphoric satisfaction that benchmark hunting can bring, (referring unkindly instead to “auld chisel scratches on stones”) that turned out to be the City of Edinburgh, a place which pictures show must never have suffered the demolition of any of its many ancient buildings.

Michael described it thus “With 20 plus Benchmarks bagged over the weekend in Edinburgh and considering that I had no maps to hand, nor no advance plan to look for 'marks, I could not believe the number I came across "casually"! I use that word with tongue in cheek, as having found the first one, every wall, pillar and potential building was visually scanned in passing for more. As a passenger on a few outings, I saw several more, but sadly they have to wait for another day.

Within the batch to follow there are several styles, including the bog standard 'mark, a Flush Bracket, a Pivot (the one with the hole), a Rivet (arrow pointing to brass pin), a Triangulation Pillar, a "cut benchmark with bolt", a "one inch brass bolt" and the Holy Grail - a Fundamental Benchmark (I believe there are less than 200 of these in whole of the UK).”

Well done, Michael. M.C. and Benchmarker doff their benchmark-logoed caps and salute you. And are more than a little bit jealous.

The first one up is on the wall of the Bruntsfield Hotel, Bruntsfield Place.

Below: The 'mark on the Bruntsfield Hotel, Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: Looking south west along Bruntsfield Place with the 'mark at centre right.

NUMBER 844

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Glaslough in County Monaghan is on the south east corner of the Orange Hall, near the northern end of the village.

Below: The 'mark on the Orange Hall in Glaslough.

 

Above: At the Orange Hall and looking west with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 843

BENCHMARKS continued

With the remaining possibilities in Monaghan Town drawing a blank, M.C. and Benchmarker hit out for the north west to the tidy village of Glaslough. As Monaghan Town was left more and more behind, slowly but surely M.C. began to relax and seemed to find the will to attempt a short conversation. While this was something to be welcomed, and indeed encouraged, it was clear to Benchmarker however that it would be counter productive to probe the cause of his earlier muteness; that it might cause him to revert to another period of silence. And so it was decided that it was probably better to let things sit for perhaps a future opportunity. That's of course, if Benchmarker can find the enthusiasm.

Two 'marks were discovered, with the first of them on Main street.

Below: This 'mark is on the corner of a building, opposite the Monument, on Main Street in Glaslough in County Monaghan.

 

 Above: Looking north east on Main Street in Glaslough towards the entrance to Castle Leslie with the 'mark at bottom left. In the background, a couple of veteran bikers enjoy the sunshine while partaking of a couple of glasses of sparkling Mi Wadi.

 

NUMBER 842

BENCHMARKS continued

A second one from the trip to Monaghan. It's on the westernmost column of the colonnade of the Court House at Church Square in Monaghan Town,

Below: A 'mark on the Court House on Church Square in Monaghan Town. The little brass bell embedded in the base of the column carries the letters OSBM. Now whatever can that mean?

 

Above: Looking east on the steps of the Court House and with the 'mark at bottom right. In the middle distance M.C. affects nonchalance when not skulking about.

NUMBER 841

BENCHMARKS continued

After Blaney it was on to the county town of Monaghan. On getting out of the car before starting the hunt there M.C. donned a baseball cap and sunglasses. He still hardly uttered a word but it was now obvious that whatever was going on, he was anxious not to be recognised. At this occurrence Benchmarker decided not to probe, but rather to wait for a suitable opportunity before gently enquiring. So it was almost in silence then. that this one was spotted on the south side of Dublin Street.

Below: A 'mark on Dublin Street in Monaghan Town.

  

Above: Looking north west along Dublin Street with the 'mark at bottom left.

 

NUMBER 840

BENCHMARKS continued

Next stop would be at Castleblaney - or Blaney, as it is referred to by the locals - in County Monaghan. As we turned off the N2 and on to the N53 for the town, M.C. although still silent, became temporarily agitated, as if somehow conflicted between a need to unburden himself, while simultaneously struggling to maintain a secret. However he revived and regained something of his old composure on spotting this one at the junction of Main Street with the R183.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street in Castleblaney in County Monaghan.

 

 Above: Looking east on Main Street at its junction with the R183, with the 'mark at bottom left.