1000 and counting

This bronze model of the city centre of York is sited outside the west end of York Minster. Designed by The Dog Rose Trust it has Braille labels and is set at a height that is wheelchair friendly. Above all it is a tactile model that can be and is enjoyed by any visitor to the city.
This is my 1000th post on CDP. I will be taking a break for the summer but hope to be back in early autumn.

Ducklings

A birds-eye view of ducklings plus their mother.

Willow

This lovely weeping willow looks like she is trying to keep her skirts out of the River Foss.

Steeple

Between the trees and beyond the roofs is the steeple of St Mary's church. De-consecrated in 1958 parts of the building may date back to the 9th century. It has the tallest steeple in the city and was briefly the home of the Exchequer during the reign of Edward II when the government moved to York .

Three Cranes, Two Dogs

Looks like the collie at the Three Cranes has been joined by a young pup! See here for a previous shot taken in 2012.

Historical Sign

This sign in Lady Peckitt's Yard almost qualifies as an historical object in its own right. 

Mystery Plays 2014

Here is Creation of the World to the Fifth Day in full swing, the backdrop is St Williams's College and York Minster

Mystery Plays

It is Mystery Play season again, here the York Guild of Building is on the move to their next venue with their play Creation of the World to the Fifth Day. I stopped by to take some pictures and stayed to enjoy the play.

Grotesque

Passing by York Minster stonemasons yard today I noticed this newly carved handsome chap. Figures of this type are known as Grotesques, I think he is destined for the east end of the building which is undergoing a major refurbishment. 

Ceramic Sandwitch

After watching le Tour pass through York I managed to find a quiet space to eat lunch. The ceramic sandwich is courtesy of @york curiouser.

York Curiouser

Poem on a ginnel wall and ceramic sandwiches in the park have appeared around the city, curious? Check out http://www.yorkcuriouser.com/

Butcher's Return

Although there has been a butcher around the corner in Little Shambles as long as I can remember, this is the first shop selling meat on the Shambles itself for many years.

Butcher's Van

When The Shambles was the street of the Butchers or flesh sellers in the Middle Ages I dare say they had regular deliveries of meat, much as this van is doing today.

Boot Scraper

Spotted this boot scraper on a recent trip to Cambridge, wonder if it was made to celebrate the birth of twins?

Community carrots

This raised bed in front of the city walls on Bootham has been planted with carrots, free food for anyone prepared to waited a few weeks........

No bins!

A real treat, a view of the entrance to King's Manor without the usual waste bins left at the gates.

Tall

A tall thin picture of two tall gentlemen walking around the city this week.

Zebra Bike

Not every shop window featured a yellow bike, some were a bit different......

Photo Opportunity

This was the view that the Gendamerie wanted to capture on their phones and take home with them.

Gendarmes

These two Gendarmes were riding round the course escorting the Tour when they suddenly pulled up to take photos with their phones. Come by tomorrow to see what caught their eye.

Tour Float

Of all the Tour sponsor's floats this one caused the most amusement as it passed by.

Tour de York

After months of planning le Tour came through York today, this was the Parade lap through the city with all the Jersey's at the front.

Yellow Jersey

Something for you to look at whilst I am out hopefully getting some pics of the real thing!

Stars and Stripes

I meant to post this yesterday for obvious reasons! On a recent trip to Cambridge I came across a memorial to the the great uncle of George Washington. It can be found in St Mary the Less or Little St Mary's, a church attached to Peterhouse College where Godfrey Washington served as Vicar and Bursar to the College.
The stars stripes and eagle on the family crest are thought to be the inspiration for the US national flag and emblem.

Le Swan

The Tour de France will pass along along this road on Sunday. The local pub has has a new sign painted in celebration. In fact the whole street will stay closed most of the day and celebrate with a street party once the bikes have passed by.

70th Anniversary

A replica Hawker Hurricane has been carefully placed on the roof of the Theatre Royal. It is there to honour the memory of the French airmen who flew missions from Elvington airfield near York in 1944/45. Over half the airmen lost their lives in bombing raids over France. 

Yellow Wall

All the flower displays in the city have been planted with a yellow theme in mind this year. That bit of old wall behind the flowerbed is circa 300AD and was built during the reign of  Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus.

Celebrating Summer... 2012

With a familiar face on those naan breads this Indian restaurant is celebrating summer 2012 when Bradley Wiggins won both Olympic gold and the Tour de France. Sadly Wiggo will not be featuring in the Tour on his home patch of Yorkshire..

Flying the Flag

This elegant crescent was owned by York Council until recently although I think it is destined to become a hotel. This week it is flying the French flag as The Tour will ride down here shortly. The building on the left is the Theatre Royal, come back later in the week to see what has landed on the roof.

Boulevard

The street signs are turning French! The Tour must be getting closer!!

Countdown

As you can see we have been celebrating Le Tour in York for some time now, since March in fact. Goodness look at that dark cloud, better hop on my bike and try to get home before the rain begins......

Fine Fern Friday

The new planting done over the last few years in the Museum Gardens is really starting to look effective. This shady corner is ideal for ferns.

St Helen's Square

St Helen's Square and the Mansion House decorated ready for The Tour.

York Station

York station complete with more yellow bikes and what looks like a 'stag' party in the background. York is a popular destination for 'stag' and 'hen' parties due to the large choice of hotels pubs and bars. Looks like the bridegroom is finding it all a bit of a drag....

Yellow

Lots of yellow bikes are appearing around the city this month, what can it all mean?

Strawberries

Wimbledon starts this week, I doubt strawberries in London will be £1.99 a punnet as they were on York market this weekend!

Halfpenny House

Whenever I walk past I wonder where Halfpenny House got it's name from. If it were for sale today I doubt there would be much change from £500,000.

Market Stall

Lots of colourful carved wood to choose from on this market stall.

Goslings

Suspect there may have been more goslings originally. Let's hope these three keep close to Mum and Dad and stay safe.

Poppies

Lots of summer colour about at the moment, these poppies cannot quite decide which side of the railings they belong.

Red Boats

The hot weather recently makes a trip along the river sound like a good idea.

Door detail

This townhouse has a rather fine looking gentleman located above the door.

Stable Cottage

A different type of house power is kept near stable cottage these days.

Sunny day

Another view of the Red Tower as it joins the city walls.

Pump #2

As well as a nicely tiled mosaic floor and seating, plus shelter from the rain (or sun), and water to drink, visitors to this rest stop are treated to a set of instructions around the top. These include Weary, Rest, Thirsty, Drink, the year 1908 and the initials of the benefactor WF Wailes-Fairbairn who owned nearby Askham Grange.

Pump #1

This little shelter contains the pump on the village green at Askham Richard. Come back tomorrow to see what else is inside.

Leethams Mill

A view of the river Foss with Leethams Mill in the background.

Green Ginnel

Looks like the ivy will take over this ginnel soon.

Fisher of Dreams

This sculpture is sited along one of the city cycle tracks and is titled The Fisher of Dreams. The project was funded by a millennium community art scheme and the design chosen by local people. A nearby plaque notes:
The tranquil fisher, deliberately neither male nor female, dreams his (or her) dreams by the river bank, of a time when the 'Flying Scotsman' still steamed over this bridge. Everything seems idyllic - but just remember it is when all seems right with the world, that there is a dog behind you, peeing on your bike!

The Gap

A last view of St Kilda for a while, this is the village looking towards The Gap with Conachair on the left and Oiseval on the right. We walked up to the summit of Mullach Mor, along the top of Conachair, and across the ridge at the back of this view. Over that ridge the highest sea cliffs in the UK plunge 1400ft down to the sea below. A stunningly beautiful walk.