History Lesson

Known locally as The Traf Bay this pub sign combines a history and a geography lesson in one.

Motor Cycle Traps

Lot of opportunity to take short cuts down the back lanes on your bike in York. This arrangement of bars is designed to stop motorcycles speeding down here. Pedal cyclists have to ride between the two lower bars whilst pushchair and wheelchair access is through the chicane.

Bare Bones

Not much left of use on this bike. I shall be leaving my bike in the city overnight this weekend, hope it does not look like this when I return to it!

The Wall

A nearby plaque on Scarcroft Lane notes that:

This Wall and Carriage Road Belong Exclusively To The Freemen of Micklegate Ward

I wonder why?!

X is for Xuni

This is Xuni, she is a pedigree Weimaraner. She was sold to a puppy farmer who made a lot of money from her, then chained her up in a yard and forgot about her. She was given a  mango a day if anyone remembered to feed her. After a few months of this Xuni did not have very long to live when her luck suddenly changed. A persistent English woman kept visiting the farmer and telling him he was a very bad man. Eventually he told her to just take the dog and stop pestering him. A lot of generous people helped Xuni move to another country. She is slowly putting on weight as her stomach gets used to food again. She could hardly walk when she was rescued but now she can run. She is devoted to her besotted new owners, and to watch her delightedly tracking scents back and forth across open fields, whilst keeping a careful eye on her new family, is truly heart warming.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Flowery Walk

A closer look at one of the roadside wild flowers from yesterdays post. There are a number of wild flowers that look similar to this (to me at least!) so I am not going to hazard a guess at the name. How about you?

Green Lane

Took a walk down this green lane last week on a rare sunny afternoon. Lots of wild flowers, (or weeds depending on your perspective) in flower along the grass verge.

Crystal Palace

This fine old pub sign is showing a bit of wear and tear, I suspect when it is replaced it will be with something rather more modern which would be a shame.

Shadow

The shadow of a nearby tree on the walls of St Mary's Abbey caught my eye as I was hurrying past last week. So I went back to take a picture....

A closer look...

......at the door surround of St Giles church shows the stone columns have been recently replaced. Clearly this church is still well maintained.

The Path

 

On a recent visit to Skelton I took a look at the local church, St Giles. Like many English churchyards this one is planted with Yew trees There has been a long association of Yew trees in churchyards, indeed there are at least 500 churchyards which contain Yew trees which are older than the building itself. The reason why the Yew trees were planted here in the first place is rather unclear.

W is for Wax Candles

These votive lights are burning in front of a side chapel inside York Minster. It was the drop of wax rather than the flames that caught my attention.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Through the Arch

This is a view out of the grounds of St Mary's Abbey towards Marygate. Hard to imagine this gateway has been in use for nearly 1000 years!

New Bridge

Built in 2011 this pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss is York's newest bridge. I applaud the extra opportunity to cross the river, but really wish they had chosen a different design......

Sunset at Windmill Rise

Taken last winter the restored windmill in Holgate is looking just great. I must try to get along to one of the open days this year and have a good look inside.

Fancy Light

On display at the National Railway Museum in York is the Duchess of Hamilton, a steam locomotive built in 1938. She is one of the most eye-catching exhibits, even her lights are specially crafted to match her streamlined livery. Contrast this with the fairly basic light shown yesterday. The Duchess has two of these fabulous front lights positioned either side of the smokebox indicating she is an express passenger train.

Head Code

A visit to the National Railway Museum always turns up something interesting. This light on one of the locomotives for example was not used to illuminate the track ahead, but to act as a code light so the signal man would know what type of train was approaching. Thus a passenger train could be distinguished from a freight train, and even the type of freight, livestock, perishable goods etc could be indicated.
Incidentally there is real threat that this museum could be closed in the next couple of years due to a government reduction in funding. If you feel this should not happen you may be interested in signing a petition here

Edible York

 

In 2011 St Clements Church turned over (!) their garden to Edible York who along with Scarcroft Allotment Association have planted a community veg patch. Started in 2011and known as the Nose from the shape of the plot of land, the idea is to provide a place to grow fresh veg for those without access to such a facility. The project is run by Planet Southbank and is now into its third growing season. The blue sky may be a clue that this picture was taken last year!

V is for Viking

Strictly speaking the Norse word vikingar is only applicable to men, however a new settlement also needed women which were usually taken from the local population. One of the jobs of the women in the camp was to make items of clothing and apparel - shoes hats and pouches, using any available material such as leather and fur.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

The Colour Purple

Do you ever think of days of the week as a colour? For me Tuesdays are purple!
Street performers are an all year round attraction in York. Mr Yellow was the first I remember seeing around York in a similar vein. Now we have the colour purple and here you can glimpse Purpleman preparing for work. Usually he can be found sitting perfectly still upon his bike in Stonegate come sunshine or (purple) rain. Occasionally he interacts with passers-by, especially children. You can find out more about him  here

York Skyline

Clifford's Tower offers an excellent vantage point to look out over the roof tops of the city. Two spires dominate this view, the courthouse on the left and St Mary's church on the right. Many of the redbrick buildings are a legacy from the time when York was the railway capital of the north.

Dragonfly

Dragonflies will be on the wing shortly, although hopefully none quite this large.

Roman Remains

Normal service resumed after yesterday. This jumble of Roman stonework can be found in the Museum Gardens. The stone arches are much later but the coffins and small bricks and stones are between 1500-1900 years old.

Modern Brutalism in York

Built in the 1960s before York realised it's greatest asset was it's looks this is Stonebow House, variously referred to as a monstrosity, eyesore, hideous concrete block and unsightly mess. It is within a few metres of The Shambles which was recently voted Europe's most picturesque street and provides quite a contrast. A petition calling for it's demolition this year attracted 63 signatures.

What do you think?

River Dog

This faithful hound sits outside a house very close to the River Ouse. Luckily the garden now has a flood gate to protect it when the river rises so maybe he manages to stay dry.

U is for Under the Bridge

Under the span of Lendal bridge the Red Boats are waiting for hire. Meanwhile the Black-Headed gulls are waiting for someone to throw them something to eat. The bridge was opened in 1863 hence the entwined V & A monogram for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, despite Albert having died in 1861.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

River Foss

The River Foss makes it's way through the city of York as well as the River Ouse. Here you can catch a glimpse of it just before they join together at the Blue Bridge that features in the blog header

50 Shades of Green

So many leaves, every shade of green, and a splash of red. A typical spring garden.

Peace Mat

Always look up is my usual motto when out with the camera, occasionally it pays to look down as well!

The Beauty of Decay

For this months City Daily Photo theme day I did briefly consider channelling my inner steam punk and going out to shoot some stark images at a run down out of town industrial complex. Then I remembered I lived in York where the beauty of decay is part of the local charm and opted for St Mary's Abbey and grounds in the city centre instead.
See what has caught the imagination of other contributors here