In the pink …

One of the five family-run Mary Shortle toy shops is here, just by Bootham Bar. The selection of dolls is fabulous and a visit is a must for grandparents. 

Trio of monuments 2

Another angle from Exhibition Square in front of York Art Gallery. The sky is still blue, Ciel - merci de votre visite.

Trio of monuments

 

Taken from the front of the Art Gallery on Exhibition Square, we have, from left to right:

 William Etty, York's most famous artist (1787 - 1849),

Bootham Bar,  the north-west gate to the city,

York Minster, Europe's largest gothic cathedral,

an open-top tour bus.

Bootham Bar (14th century and later) stands almost on the site of the Roman gate of Eboracum. 

Big Sister is watching you …

to make sure you've done your homework or finished your dissertation. This is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and learning, with her symbolic owl and pile of books.   She is looking down Stonegate, one of the busiest streets in the city. The Minster lies 100 metres to the right.

York Shambles

Silverado, the jeweller's boutique of two days ago, is in Shambles. This picture is too dark to show the  old butchers' hooks under the overhangs. Little Shambles leads on to the market. If timber buildings grab you, Troyes in Champagne, France is the place to go.

The happiest days?

The plaque is self-explanatory. I went to Durham Blue Coat School, but not dressed like this, nor with a blue coat of any description. Just by here is a lovely public garden, a very pleasant Italian restaurant and the Quilt Museum. 

Shimmering Shambles shop …

and probably a shivering shopper! Shambles, York's most famous street, gives its name to anything messy and disorganised. Formerly full of butchers' stalls, it suffered from the awful smell of stinking offal and sanitary waste. 

Today, however, you can window-shop without the risk of insalubrious ejections from the upper floors, and enjoy the boutiques, restaurants and sandwich bars in complete safety. More background information is to be found here, including the origin of the name, a couple of photos and the location of other UK Shambles.

The King's Arms on King Street, York

This pub is on the riverside opposite Woodsmill Quay (see Feb 12). The ground floor walls have been exposed probably because the frequent floods would ruin any rendering. To the left is Ouse Bridge, and to the right the terrace of houses posted on Feb 2. More York pubs here and a panoramic view showing this one here.

Three periods

This is St Denys' church on Walmgate, confusingly situated between Dennis Street and St Denys' Road. I wanted the picture for the three periods of architecture: medieval, 19th century and mid to late 20th century. 

There were six medieval churches on Walmgate, but only this one and St Margaret's remains. The latter is the home of the National Centre for Early Music on which there is an earlier post.

York Minster

The conical Chapter House roof, which featured more clearly a few weeks ago, is on the left.  There are often "events in tents" on this lawn; the most recent was a promotion of African music. Not quite the weather for that today.

Woodsmill Quay, York

Apartments and offices now, I think, these buildings remind us of York's more recent history and of the commercial usefulness of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. 

Goldmine on Silver Street

Another timber-framed building, this time right next to the market, which no doubt guarantees a lively trade for the café. Are Gert and Henry guilty of vandalism? 

I'm not sure of the name of the church. As a street called Patrick Pool is just round the corner, my guess would be St … but in fact it is St Sampson's. Thanks to the two readers who pointed this out.

The Far Side

No sign of Larsen, just the other side of the National Trust shop shown yesterday. 

Cold day, warm lights

Part of the National Trust shop, this building on wooden pillars makes a pretty corner. St William's College and the Minster are a minute to the left. The road bearing right takes you to Monk Bar. In York, bars are gates, and gates are streets, thanks to the Vikings.

To buy a fat pig?

To market, to market to buy a fat pig!

Home again! Home again! Jiggety-jig!

A children's toe-counting rhyme: (start with the big toe)

This little piggy went to market -

this little piggy stayed at home -

this little piggy had roast beef -

this little piggy had none -

and this little piggy cried, "Wee! Wee! Wee!" all the way home.

On saying the last line, you run your fingers up to the child's waist to tickle them. Have fun all you grandparents, aunts and uncles! It's good for teaching the past simple regular and irregular verbs!

Not many fat pigs for sale here, and not a little pig in sight. Great market though. 

Friendly competition

Don't believe the myths about over-boiled vegetables: we do eat well in the UK! And we are spoilt for choice. It's worth enlarging this image. The Mediterranean summer feel sounds attractive, but I think it's expecting too much of outdoor gas heaters.

Petergate perspective

York Minster from High Petergate, a classic composition that we will no doubt see again. I wonder if visitors sometimes miss this view in the pursuit of the average Brit's raison d'être: "I shop, therefore I am." There is a parable there waiting to be developed.

The Hairy Fig

Purveyors of fine fodder on Fossgate. I wonder if they stock famous Farmer Freddy Frinton's fat, feathery pheasants. Slideshow here - you will enjoy it.

Misty Minster

A surprise peek at the great building from Ogleforth, scene of redevelopment of the gentrification sort. Another cool café ahead at Gray's Court - sorry, that should be tea-rooms.  The conical roof is the Chapter House; there are probably comical roofs elsewhere.

Riverside terrace

Towards York's Skeldergate Bridge from a walk by the Ouse. Flooding is not uncommon here, but these houses are well above the waterline - I think! The red signs are boat-stops. Cool Belgian-themed café, La Place Verte, ahead, occupying a tower built onto the bridge. Follow the link for a photo.

The Mucky Duck

 This hotel, pub and restaurant is just across the road from York Associates where I work freelance from time to time, and is a popular lunchtime choice for the course participants as it is so British. Calling the Black Swan the Mucky Duck is an typical English put-down.

It is also a busy music venue and home to The Black Swan Folk Club. Martin Carthy fans should book now for Feb 11 and 12.