Betty's Queue

Be prepared to queue for some time if you wish to sample the menu at Betty's famous tearooms. Someone brought a book, good idea, even better arrive early!

Rowan

Rowan trees in the UK are covered in berries this year, how about in your part of the world?

Piety

A closer look at the Temple of Piety at Studley Royal. It was dedicated to Hercules and dates from around 1729.

Moonshine

It has been a hectic week so far so here is a picture of serenity. It is the Moon Pool at Studley Royal with the Temple of Piety hiding modestly in the trees behind. The three pools represent a waxing moon a waning moon and a full moon.

Yellow or Taupe?

Which front door would you prefer to walk through?

Birdwatching

This little black and white cat is keeping a close eye on the bird feeder......

Local Ales

York Beer Festival this weekend plus lots of bottled ales available at the food and drink festival.

Food and Drink Festival

The Yorkshire Food and Drink Festival is on in the city at present. Lots of fine food available, lobster anyone?

Planning Permission

I can only imagine how long it took to get planning permission to build an extension on the back of the building that sits next to Monk Bar and the City Walls.......

Rocket Airlines

Well I am flying back from Amsterdam today, not by Rocket Airlines however! Grays Court is currently hosting an art exhibition of metallic sculptures. These are on display in the garden.

Haircut

So my questions is "How much for a haircut where you live?" 

Night Mail

This is the night mail crossing the Border,

Bringing the cheque and the postal order

The opening lines of 'Night Mail' by W. H. Auden, born in York in 1907. The mail train above is in the National Railway Museum.

Dry stone wall

A closer look at a dry stone wall. No cement is used, the stones are carefully selected to fit together to produce a sturdy structure capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions. They provide shelter for a range of animals, birds and insects as well as marking the boundary lines of the fields. They are a classic feature of the Yorkshire Dales landscape

Inquisitive

On a recent trip to the Yorkshire dales we came across many views such as the one above. Dry stone walling is a typical feature of the area, as are sheep with white face flashes. This one was keeping a close eye on us as we walked past.

Engine Abstract....

......from a  recent visit to the National Railway Museum

Cool St Clement's

This Grade II listed building dates from around 1830, attached to the back is St Clement's Hall. You can read more about its story here. Earlier this year the area around here, known as Clementhorpe, was ranked at 9th place in The Times top 30 coolest places to live.

Did you know....

A quick visit to  the National Railway Museum  showed what good service  rail travellers used to receive. Nowadays they could send a text, but I suspect they don't bother.

Broken Window

For years now this window has been in need of some TLC, it's going to let a lot of weather in this winter.......................

Museum Street

Empty street, so what you may be thinking. See here for how this street looked at the same time a few months back, before it was closed to traffic 10.30am - 5pm daily. A controversial move for some, me, I think it is about time!

I is for Inset.....

....into the flagstones of the city walls are several indicators that you should look over the walls at some point to see features in the nearby landscape. The curious square with the crosses drawn on it has always puzzled me.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Riverside

Took a walk down to the Foss Basin recently and found this old car parked up near a house boat. Doesn't look like it is going anywhere soon, anyone know what make of car this is?

Fly on the Wall

This little critter was sat on the city walls as I passed by with my camera last week, I suspect it may be a bee but couldn't resist the title.....

Morris Minor

This smart looking Morris Minor stopped long enough at the traffic light near Cliffords Tower for me to get a quick shot.

Inside the city walls

This a view from the city walls of a typical older city centre residential street. Apartments, cars, trees, and at the end of the road a 12th century church, in this case St Margarets.

Amusing Pub Names

This pub name and the associated sign is a not so subtle reference to the perceived Yorkshire fondness for cloth caps, whippets, beer and food.

Old Inn

This building has housed a pub for as long as I can remember, indeed with that arched side entrance it looks like an old coaching inn. It is a Grade II listed building dating from 1896, and it looks like it has had to work hard for a living. It has had a variety of names including The Yorkshire Hussar, The First Hussar, and The Other Tap and Spile. It has just had another name change, come back tomorrow to find out more.

H is for Hole in the Wall

This hole in the wall has been present as long as I can remember. No idea why it is there but with the wooden frame it looks like a thing on purpose. The  wall is close to Kings Manor and the view from this angle is of the De Grey Rooms and Bootham Bar
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

For Hire

I didn't realise until I came across these two cars in the city centre that York was a location used by the city car club. These cars are for hire by the hour if you wish. The  larger of the two is a hybrid car, a Toyota Prius, anyone out there drive a hybrid car yet?

Bridge detail

Like many of York's bridges Skeldergate Bridge has wrought iron decorations on the balustrade (there is a word I don't get to use very often!). The white rose is the symbol for Yorkshire, but not sure what the blue/gold sun/star represents. Whatever it is it look's like we couldn't afford the gold paint last time round......................

Think Pink

Apologies for the blurry bus but it was quick grab. I had been out and about with the camera all morning on the lookout for something pink. No luck really and I had put the camera away and was just about to jump on my bike to ride home when this pulled up next to me. "Goodness" I thought "haven't seen that pink bus before" as the words pink bus sank in I reached for the camera and snapped this seconds before another bus pulled between us.
See more carefully composed pink shots here for CDP theme day