The two towers
May 13, 2007 by wapentake
Travelling from the tallest free-standing structure in the world on land to the tallest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom pretty much takes me from where I live now to where I was born.
One is in downtown Toronto and the other is in rural Yorkshire.
The CN tower is of course a major tourist attraction. In summer, people line up for hours for the chance to see just how flat southern Ontario really is. Once you’ve done that, you can study the full effects of acrophobia as people recoil in terror from the gaping hell of the glass floor.
Meanwhile, obese young children miraculously spring to action and bounce relentlessy on it for hours at a time. Visiting tip: Book a table at the revolving restaurant and beat the line-ups. But do the glass floor first.
After a flight from Toronto to Manchester, my first sighting of Emley Moor TV transmitter (known locally simply as “The Mast”, although technically it is not a mast) on the horizon is a sure-fire sign that I am now a) probably jet-lagged and b) almost, as my Indian friends say, “in my backhome.”
Emley Moor transmitting station has virtually no visitors. It is closed to the public. For some reason, there is a designated observation area just over the road. Considering it can be observed from miles around in many directions, this seems a tad superfluous. But that’s Yorkshire for you. Generous to a fault. Visiting tip: Get there early. Before the flocks.
CN Tower info:
Height: 1815 feet
Height above sea level: 2051 feet
Built: 1973-1976
Elevator ascent time: approx 1 minute
Subject of a song? Yes, The CN Tower Belongs to the Dead
Drops huge chunks of ice on downtown expressway? Yes
Emley Moor transmitter info:
Height: 1084 feet
Height above sea level: 1949 feet
Built: 1969-1971
Lift ascent time: 7 minutes
Grade II listed building status? Yes
Subject of a poem? Yes, by Simon Armitage
Technorati: cn tower, emley moor, canada, yorkshire, toronto, ontario, expat, britain, england, no longer the tallest tower
I must admit I’ve never heard of Emley Moor transmitting station. I still have to climb in the CN tower… I’ve seen it but never been up there. I have to, one day !
No, it’s not exactly world-famous - long way from London!
I haven’t “climbed” the CN tower either - they only open up the stairs to the public a few times a year - charity events. Be a decent work-out!
Hi John! This post reminds me of a song my husband belts out when he’s had a few sherbets… goes something like this…”In Emley (?) Moor bat’at!….”
I know it’s not Emley but it’s a moor somewhere where this fella shows up without a hat… don’t ask me, you’re the yorkshireman!!!
Thanks for the linky linky!
U missin Barnsley aren’t you?
PS Incidentally, I was just somewhere in the Emley mast vicinity today - went dining at Three Acres - I’m sure you’ve heard of it! One of a few decent pubgrubs to be had in the area!!!
“Emley Moot baht ‘at?” - that’s practically sacrilege! How long you been in Barnsley?
I can’t believe you haven’t learned the Yorkshire anthem yet. Too much time on that cathartic blog of yours! And not enough rambling over rain-sodden hills with stout boots and stick.
Doubt you’ll be granted a Yorkshire exit stamp until you have learned the full text of “On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘At” and belted it forth in a Pennine hailstorm. This will help:
http://www.ilkley.org/iguide/baht.htm
Fair Isle sweater recommended!