Would you Adam and Eve it?

The detail in the new sculptures which decorate the arch above York Minster's west door is amazing. Go here, second picture down, for more information. As indicated in an earlier post, the Genesis Cycle tells the story of redemption from creation to consummation.

The post title is Cockney (East End of London) rhyming slang for, "Would you believe it?" 

Outside a city wall

We perhaps don't do flowers as well as our Gallic neighbours, but we do 'em, as evidenced by this railing-box on Station Road. 

York station clock and

roof structure, taken on our way to Durham to see me mam, as I would have said years ago, before adopting ma mum after moving to North Yorkshire. The transcription of the vowel sounds is approximate.

York Minster nave detail

For some reason the west door was open, allowing pictures of the interior, albeit in rather dim light.

History column

Right under the gaze of Constantine, and just opposite the south door of the Minster, this column guards the entrance to the Minster School. It didn't manage to stop some pupils escaping, but they didn't get far.

Cathedral of the Wolds

This is the grand title given to All Saints Pocklington, jut a few miles east of York, off the Hull road. The Sotheby Cross in the churchyard tells us that St Paulinus preached here AD627. Though the foundation is Saxon, most of the present building dates from 12th to 15th centuries. Some Norman stonework has, however, survived. The Wolds are the relatively low, rolling hills of East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. 

Lady in red

Boutiques on College Street, between the Minster and the National Trust shop. 

York on fire

This was taken a couple of nights ago from the back of our house on a 1950s York housing estate. 

West Wing …

… well, the western towers of the fabulous York Minster. I wonder if I am the only person in the world who has not only not seen West Wing, but doesn't even know what it's about. I once told some of my students that I didn't watch television, which was true at the time. "But Sir, what do you do?" 

Rowntree Park 3

Don't ask, because I don't know!

Heavy water?

A temporary display in a corner of the Treasurer's House garden. 

What time is it, Eccles?

This is the Spurriergate Centre clock, a pretext for referring you to the Goons' sketch in which the above question is answered. Spurriergate takes its name from the craftsmen who used to make spurs on this street. The centre is part of St Michael's church, for which follow the label. As well as a decent self-service restaurant, there are Fair Trade goods on sale, and staffworkers to give training and couselling.

Music for your mouth 2

For the first Music for your mouth, see this. No scales to practise here, just good vegan food, great for a light lunch or something more serious, if you prefer. They are enlarging the rear courtyard space at the moment, and if they can make it as attractive as The Earl Grey Tearooms' yarden in Shambles, it will be a great success. This photo, which takes in only half of the frontage, was requested by Jackie of Glasgow. 

Banks of green willow

York's smaller river, the Foss, flowing south along by Huntington Road, veers off behind Gladstone Street, just a few minutes' walk from the city walls at Monk Bar. 

Two wheels on my wagon …

but I'm not rolling along! Lode Star is a static exhibit in the National Railway Museum, York. Withdrawn from service in 1951 after just over two million miles, it was moved from Swindon to York in 1991. The link will take you to a full-length outdoor photograph of the engine and tender.

Gray's Court

Only Monday and already thinking of a weekend visit to Gray's Court. I probably won't have to wait that long if I can persuade clients to come during the week. This room is not usually open for service, but I wouldn't mind having this window seat overlooking the courtyard. 

Holy Trinity Micklegate

Looking rather squashed from this angle, this is Holy Trinity taken from just outside the Baptist Church, Priory Street. Priory Street is a bit of an Amen Corner with five churches only two or three minutes' walk apart.

He gets around!

Yesterday Rowntree Park, today The Treasurer's House garden! 

Jackie from Glasgow, a photo of El Piano will appear! 

Rowntree Park 2

The plinth is rather plain, but cropping would have lost the reflection. Follow the label for an introduction to York's premier green space on the banks of the Ouse.

Micklegate curve 2 …

from the other side of the street and looking up the hill.

Jacob's well.

Pleased to hear it! Oh! You mean Jacob's Well, the building on Trinity Lane, off Micklegate!  Dating back to 15th century,  the house is part of the Holy Trinity complex, not to be confused with the church of the same name off Goodramgate. Jacob's Well is open for tea and coffee Wednesday mornings. We'll have to look into Holy Trinity later to find out more about its monastic past. Enlarge for a close-up of the partially restored woodwork.

Rowntree Park 1

The south gates of Rowntree Park on the banks of the Ouse are a relatively recent addition to York's premier green space. The park was given to the town after the First World War by the Rowntree family in memory of the employees of the confectionery company who gave their lives or suffered in that conflict.

As well as formal gardens and a lake, the park contains recreation areas, sculptures, a café and open spaces suitable for special events. 

Church, arts centre, or …

pub? In fact St John's church, lower Micklegate, ceased to function as a place of worship in the 1930s and is currently a pub known as The Parish. It was an arts centre for a while, and is still noted as such on some of older street plans. This split-level conversion retains many original features and according to punters it works quite well. I like the brick and timber belfry, if that's what it is. 

TBecque: Holy Trinity, yesterday's church, is mainly 15th century. The stained glass was donated in 1470 by one of the vicars.

John Hutton's Hope

Holy Trinity church, off Goodramgate again, showing gravestones, outbuildings and the contrasting modern constructions off Low Petergate. The words on John Hutton's grave in the foreground read as follows:

Go home, dear wife, and shed no tears:

I must ly here till Christ appears,

And at his coming hope to have 

A joyful rising from the grave.

You can't chisel all of your theology onto a gravestone, and this verse omits the belief expressed by the Apostle Paul that to depart is to be with Christ, which is far better (Philippians 1:23), according to which John Hutton's body may be in the grave, but he himself is elsewhere. Though sharing Hutton's resurrection hope, I think his first line is more Stoic than Christian. 

Leif, in answer to your question about this church, it is no longer a place of worship, but has a steady stream of visitors, partly because of its setting right in the centre of York and partly because of its furnishings, notably the relocated pulpit, box pews and stained glass.

Thanks to all for recent commented visits. I'll get organised to join the special events one of these days.

Micklegate mirrored

The French House, Micklegate, where the dolls' house matches the reflections of the opposite side of the street. 

Holy Trinity box pews

Inside Holy Trinity off Goodramgate, one of the excellent York guides plies his trade, hidden behind the pulpit. The church is no longer in use as a place of worship, but it attracts a steady stream of visitors. Similar box pews can be found in St Mary's, Whitby.

Treasurer's Tulips

Despite the damaging effects of overnight rain, these white tulips are still very pretty. The irises will be out now. Once again, this is the tranquil Treasurer's House garden.

At eight eight ate at Ate …

… O'clock. A glance down this alley off High Ousegate reveals an inviting courtyard restaurant. The pun is illustrated by a clock at the entrance permanently showing the time stated. Thankfully there is a more accurate timepiece opposite on All Saints, Pavement.

I wouldn't start from here …

The title refers to the man apparently giving directions and to the old joke, "If I wanted to go to Leeds …" This College Street café changed hands recently and is just along from the Minster and St William's, looking towards Goodramgate. The blossom is hiding the timbered upstairs of the National Trust shop.