Winter Stores

This farm has collected in the winter stores, although the stack looks uncharacteristically precarious. 

Winter Farm Yard

Took a walk through this very muddy farm yard recently. It must be like a skating rink once the really cold weather arrives.

Well it beats gnomes....

Sitting outside the house in yesterdays picture was this rather unconventional garden ornament....

Whixley

Visited a little village outside York called Whixley recently and walked past this rather nice house. Come back tomorrow to see what is in the front garden.

A4 at Night

One of the recent highlights of York Illuminated was a repeat of The Great Gathering of the six remaining A4 steam locomotives. The Great Hall of the National Railway Museum had suitably atmospheric lighting and a smoke machine to give the impression of steam. It also had a great sound-scape that really made it sound like the locos were whistling and thundering past.

Vikings at the Tower

Another shot from the recent York Illuminated festival, the Vikings are invading York!

Short back & sides

The beautifully sculptured yew trees in the grounds of Heslington Hall, now part of York University, have recently had their autumn trim.

Gone Fishing

This is one of the fishing platforms at Chapmans Pond, the site of a former clay pit. The flooded brick pit on the edge of the city is now stocked with a variety of coarse fish. It also has general access for the public to walk through the adjoining woodland.

Concrete Walls

York University is 50 years old this year. The original construction used a lot of concrete, some of it decorated in typical 60s fashion.

Pinfold

A view from inside the Pinfold on Tadcaster road near to Knavesmire, an area of common land used for cattle grazing. Pinfold is a Saxon word for an area used to hold straying pigs, sheep  and cattle pending payment of a fine by the owner. They were generally situated near main roads.

S is for Sunflowers

These Sunflower seeds outside St Edward the Confessor should provide a good source of winter food for the local birds

Christian Grafftti

I couldn't decide if this was Christian graffiti or just a coincidence on the railway bridge.

Normal Family

Anyone need a quirky Christmas present idea?

Well actually he lives here

Bishopthorpe is home to the Archbishop of York, currently Dr John Sentamu, who lives in a riverside palace. You can see the gatehouse above.

Who lives here?

Still a bit of colour left in the stone trough bearing the village sign at Bishopthorpe. This village just outside York is home to a nationally recognised figure, and pillar of the community. Any guesses who that might be?

Sam Smiths

There is more than one brewery in Tadcaster so just to even things up here is a sign from a Samuel Smith's pub. There really are white horses here as the brewery still keeps shire horses in these stables to pull the brewery dray, and they deliver around the village every day Mon-Fri. For the moment this horse will have to do but maybe one day I will see the real thing in action.

Brewery

I visited Tadcaster recently. I had forgotten it is the brewing capital of Yorkshire. I was reminded as I got out of the car and smelled the malt in the air. This brewery was going full steam as I walked passed.

R is for Red Phone Box

This old red phone box is in Colton a tiny village just outside York. I snapped it with my phone as I was delighted to find it has been put to good use as a book exchange.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Concrete

Did he? Well good for him!

Free Food

On a recent walk through York University grounds I came upon the Edible Uni project. Great idea, I wonder how much of what is grown is actually eaten?

More of those leaves

Not long now till all these leaves have blown from the trees, makes for a colourful scene for a few weeks.

Large Leaves

Not from the world tree but my goodness me the leaves seem extra large this autumn, and so many berries everywhere.

World Tree

Yggdrasil was an enormous eternal green Ash tree also known as the World Tree. 

Yggdrasil

Growing in the middle of Asguard where the Gods live was Yggdrasil, the tree of life....

Triquetra

Triquetra by Ross Ashton and Karen Monid was an artwork projected onto Clifford's Tower and the hill on which it stands as part of the Illuminating York 2013 festival. The story it told was the Norse myth about how the world was made, and the tale of Viking Kings whose histories are closely linked to that of Jorvik (York), Sweyn Forkbeard and Cnut the Great.

Bonfire Night

Bonfire night in the UK today, lots of fireworks in the evening. This image was taken during the recent Illuminating York festival which took place last week. I was there camera in hand (although a tripod might have been a better idea!) lots more night-time scenes to come. 

Out and About

Braved the windy weather recently to get out on some of the cycle tracks that pass through the city. This is a way marker on the York to Beningborough section of Route 65, and yes there is a Route 66.

Blood and Chocolate

This was the scene the morning after a night time promenade theatre performance through the city streets. See here for a report of the event, and some much more dramatic images than  mine!

Beds and Bandages

Old hospital beds and very large bandages! What is going on here? Come back tomorrow to find out more.

Looking down from a Height

This view over the rooftops of York was taken from the top of Cliffords Tower. In the foreground is the magistrates court, looking back beyond Woodsmill is the tower of St Mary Bishophill Junior. The red brick west tower of the church with stone edging is 11th century, and may even pre date the Norman conquest of 1066.
Taking part in CDP theme day Height.