Bell Ringer

This fine wooden memorial to Ron Dove hangs in a local church. Between 1950 and 1994 he made it his business to visit and ring bells in almost all the ringable towers left. A ringing outing to a new church is known as a 'Tower Grab'. Apps now exist to help you locate and log places where you may ring bells away from your home tower.

Paws for Thought

I have a feeling I might just come across a few more of these paw marks around the city. My first thought was cat, but perhaps dog or coyote or bear, maybe wolf.....

T is for Tulips

There are quite a few drifts of tulips out at the moment, these pink tulips by The Multangular Tower are looking looking at their best this week.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Spring Arrives!

What a difference a couple of days makes, Museum Gardens again but looking (and feeling) much warmer than the pic posted on Saturday.

Years of Service

Barnitts store has been a part of York for over 100 years. It sells just about everything, that is all you need to know!

Blue Doorway

A lovely old ornate shop front, difficult to walk by isn't it? I do believe that sign says 'Open'

Top Tip for Tourists

Even if you are coming to York in May, remember to bring your coats. These visitors to the Museum Gardens look a little on the chilly side!

Rusty Rose

The City of York has a white rose as it's symbol. This metal version is looking rather rusty, but then we have had an awful lot of rain in the past few month.

York Cat

This fine example of a 'York cat' looks like s/he lives at a rather elegant establishment.

S is for Stop

If you find yourself outside York Minster and wish to travel to the National Railway Museum, you can ask a passing train to Stop and take you there. The road train is beloved by boys of all ages, and a few girls too I expect.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Skyline

St Winifreds church spire and the west front of York Minster dominate this sunny skyline.

No Parking on the Pool!

In a city with many unusual street names Patrick Pool has always struck me as one of the most curious. Records dating back to 1249 describe Patrick Pool as so deep in mud no one can pass through it. No such problem today and although only one vehicle wide it boasts a full set of yellow lines!

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

by the River Ouse on a sunny spring day. Anyone for ice cream?

More wallpaper

I can just about remember when The White Swan on Piccadilly was a pub/hotel. It closed sometime in the late 80s I think, and has inexplicably remained empty ever since. It was briefly taken over by squatters a few years ago who re-named it The Peace Hotel. It has just been given a face lift by local wallpaper artists and is clearly catching the attention of passers by.

St Olaf

York has long standing connections with Norway going back to Viking times. Above the doorway of St Olaves church in Marygate is this fine statue of St Olaf, also known as King Olaf II of Norway (1015-1028). The first church dedicated to St Olaf was raised on this site in 1055 and Benedictine monks from this church went on to found St Mary's Abbey which is sited next door..
Taking part in CDP theme day Norway

Model Sign

Occasionally pub signs will feature a model rather than a painting of the Pub name. The Victorian brick front behind the sign for The Golden Slipper on Goodramgate only hints at the age of this building, which has a much older 15th or 16th century portion next door.

R is for Red Boats on the River

The spring weather this weekend brought out a wide variety of boats on the River Ouse. As with yesterdays post red seems to be a popular colour.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Hello Hello!

A welcome mat outside a York door, someone likes red!

A Closer Look.....

..........at the wallpaper from yesterdays post. The lifebuoy is for real, but it does not usually have a parrot perched on top of it!

Warehouse Wallpaper

The Bonding Warehouse has become part of the Paper Trail. Local wallpaper designers and artists have given it a bit of external interior design, and plastered their trick of the eye wallpaper over this derelict riverside property.

Bike Lights

This street light along the local cycle path has it's own electricity pylon, three of them in fact.

Judges Lodgings

This is the entrance to The Judges Lodgings, built as a town house for Doctor Clifford Winteringham sometime before 1720. A swathe of fruit frames the stone door surround which containing a Venetian style arch. The keystone of the arch is carved with a bearded mask representing Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine. Continuing the Venetian theme it has a first floor entrance with a piano nobile. From 1806 judges visiting the local assizes stayed here, it is now used as a hotel.
Currently all this is under wraps as it is being given a face lift. Will post an 'after' picture once the work is completed.

High & Low Petergate

The Church on the left is St Michael-le-Belfrey. This is a view from High Petergate looking towards Low Petergate where the narrow streets and stepped buildings (see the cream building between the two round shop signs) give a real Mediaeval feel to this part of the city. If you overlook the traffic and coffee shop signs that is!

Q is for Quacks

Quacks can be found on Grape lane in the centre of York. The unusual name is derived from a combination of it's previous name, Queen Anne Copy Shop (QACS) plus the current owners fondness for Ducks. From 18th century printing presses to digital copying, Quacks does what it says on the sign!
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Riverside Walk

This is the view toward Lendal Bridge from the riverside walk. In a highly controversial move York City Council are proposing to close this city centre bridge to cars and motorbikes during the day.

Monkey Business

This handsome metal bracket can be found high up above Monkey Puzzle, a jewellery shop on High Petergate.

Souvenirs for Sale

York Minster snow globe anyone? Go on you know you want one..............................

Old Pub...

............. with a new name. According to local records after he was hanged Dick Turpin's body was brought to The Blue Boar pub in Castlegate. The Little John pub on Castlegate (previously The Robin Hood) has changed it's name yet again to make a feature of this story. Good luck to them, they serve a very acceptable pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord and you cannot ask for better than that!

Journey's end

This quiet lane is the end (or beginning) of the snicket. The house on the left is called Littlegarth and a bronze plaque near the door notes that John Woolman American Quaker and anti-slavery pioneer died here Oct 1772.

Cycle Track

 

Here the snicket passes the steps leading to St Marys. The metal gutter on the right is to allow easy passage up or down the steps for cyclists (pushing the bike that is rather than riding it!)

Creative Artisan from the Past

Sometimes artists cannot resist painting themselves into a picture. This carving outside the west end of York Minster suggests that perhaps stone masons sometimes succumb to the same temptation. This gentleman could be anywhere between 200-700 years old.
Taking part in CDP theme day