Shambles, York

A collection of shop signs in York's most famous street. Follow the label for more on Shambles, the name which gives us the expression, "He made a complete shambles of it." 

All Saints' lantern 2, York

An older close-up of the lovely octagonal lantern tower shown a week ago, 21 April 2010. Not surprisingly, it is a York favourite. Mainly 14th century, All Saints Pavement is the Guild church of York and is reputedly the resting place of 39 former Lord Mayors. The lantern served to direct medieval travellers approaching York through the Forest of Galtres to the north of the city.  

For a 360º view, try this.

Peasholm House, York

Home to York Associates, Peasholme House, St Saviour's Place, was restored by the York Civic Trust and features this Italianate ceiling which was taken down from another building and erected here. This is the coffee lounge. 

Cambridge in York

This smart Austin Cambridge (c.1962) used to be parked near the Malton Road roundabout, but has been on this Layerthorpe garage forecourt for several months now. You can yell as much as you like, this is one cab that ain't moving; it hasn't budged an inch for a long time now, or even a centimetre.

New York, Old York

Just off the inner ring road, and diagonally opposite the apartments of a couple of days ago, is Frankie and Benny's. The top of the  restored incinerator chimney, a York landmark, is a few hundred yards behind, next to the Morrisons supermarket.

Below, a last holiday snap from the Rodin Museum garden, Paris. Captions welcome, with thanks to Carolyn for the deeply philosophical reflection on what the Thinker might be thinking. 

Lakeland, York

Back to High Ousegate and another view above the shop fronts. I was struck by the blue frames on these classic sash windows. Below, a souvenir of a recent day in Paris where we visited the Rodin Museum. The proximity of Les Invalides with its impressive gilded dome adds another dimension to the sculptures in the garden. No prizes for knowing the name of the masterpiece, but what is he thinking?

Flats on the Foss, York

As a complete change from the last few posts, something from the present century, or the very end of the last. These desirable apartments are on the River Foss, York's smaller waterway. 

There are no walls or ramparts here, as the water provided a natural defence. A few yards to the right is Foss Island Road, part of the inner ring road. 

Below is one of my fav views of Pierrefonds, near Compiègne, France. Surprisingly it does not feature the famous château of a recent post. One last holiday snap tomorrow, then back to CDP rules … 

All Saints' lantern, York

Just along from Habitat, the lantern tower of All Saints' church is one of York's favourites. We'll go to Compiègne again for the Wednesday doorway, to make up for days missed. I'm getting forgetful!

I couldn't decide where to put that lamp, but slap in the middle seemed to be the best option. This is the side entrance to the big town-centre church whose name I have forgotten. 

Ello Flower!

A bit of colour in Goodramgate - and a bit of a joke. Flower is quite commonly used as a familiar term of endearment along with Dear, Ducks, Love, Hen,  Chuck, Hinny and Pet depending on the region. There will be many others, and sometimes you even hear Sweet-heart and Darling - a bit much when you meet a shopkeeper for the first time.

And just to show that it is not only ze Eenglish who like a pun, here is one from Compiègne, about 50 miles north of Paris.

Get it? Axée soir sells ladies' accessories for an evening (soir) out. Axée = centered on.

The upper floors of the Habitat shop in High Ousegate; it's often worth looking up above street level for architectural interest. The Ouse is York's main river and is 200 metres to the right of this picture. The Foss, York's narrower waterway, features in yesterday's picture. The gate in Ousegate means street : in York bars are gates and gates streets, linguistic relics from the Viking age.

Foss Bridge, York

Just along the River Foss from yesterday's picture is this view onto Foss Bridge. We had an atmospheric shot from the bridge itself a few months ago. Follow the labels, and for other views of this spot, see yesterday's links.

Rowntree Wharf

Now offices and flats, Rowntree Wharf, with its sensitively retained gantry, is a reminder of another age. Rowntree, taken over by Nestlé some years ago, was one of the York family chocolate manufacturers. The last commercial barge traffic in York, however, was used by the Evening Press, out of sight behind the tower.

You can cut through here from Morrisons, along the River Foss, to the town centre; with coot, moorhen, geese and swans on the river it is more interesting than the alternatives, but be careful on the stairways. For more photographs with some history of the building, go here.

St William's College courtyard

A few paces through a vaulted archway bring you into the rectangular courtyard of St Williams's College with its stone and brick ground floor supporting the timber frame of the first. It's like this all the way round the courtyard; this shot takes in a little under half of the pleasant open space. 

Another souvenir of our recent trip to Picardy, France is below. Fans of the television series Merlin will recognise the castle: it is Viollet le Duc's restoration of the château de Pierrefonds. Pierrefonds is a charming little town on the edge of the Forest of Compiègne.

Walmgate Bar daffs, York

Every embankment is covered in them. Below is the Hotel de Ville of Compiègne, France, 50 miles north of Paris, where we spent last week visiting friends. This is the town where Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians and handed over to the English.

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