Wheel on fire

Activity on the banks of the River Ouse just out of York city centre.

Best seat, City Screen café (lost post)

I'm always happy if I get this spot; I occasionally finish off a week's language training here, most recently with a client from Annecy, France. This is the River Ouse and Lendal Bridge reflected in the full-length double-glazed windows of the City Screen café. I must try to stitch a double-length shot of the real and the reflected scene one day.

Woodsmill Quay, York 2

This is the quieter, non-tourist side of the River Ouse, where former warehouses are now luxury flats. These buildings are between Lendal and Skeldergate bridges, opposite the famous and frequently flooded King's Arms pub. I like the fact that the gantry has been retained.

Esplanade moorings

This kind of scene sometimes has me looking up the price of boats. We are now on the Esplanade, just beyond the arch shown a few days ago, looking downstream towards Lendal bridge and York town centre. 

All Saints too 2

For a wintry view of approximately the same scene, go here. This is what you see across the River Ouse from the City Screen café terrace.

Esplanade archway

Looking through the arch at the bottom of Marygate onto the Esplanade and Lendal Bridge. The ice-cream van of a few days ago is parked just this side of the arch and its adjoining tower.

I scream, "Ice cream!" 2

The ice-cream van and the York boat tell us that the tourist season is well under way. This is the bottom of Marygate, between Scarborough Bridge (rail) and Lendal Bridge.

Albatross and Red Boat

on the River Ouse in York, between Ouse and Skeldergate bridges. 

Lady in Red 10

The tourist season is picking up and the River Ouse is getting busy. An alternative to taking a  guided tour is to hire a small 8-seater self-drive Red Boat.

Between bridges

Looking from Ouse to Skeldergate Bridge. 

Rowntree Park 6

These are the impressive east gates opening onto the River Ouse. The houses on the other side of the park are on Bishopthorpe Road. 

Ladies in red

but only one plying her trade on the Ouse by Lendal Bridge. The building on the right of the bridge is the café from which this earlier picture was taken.

Pigs might sail

This pretty houseboat is on the River Ouse, just beyond Skeldergate Bridge. For non-native speakers: the exclamation, "Pigs might fly!" is used to express the improbability of something happening. The French equivalent is, "When chickens have teeth!" 

Oh buoy!

Half-way between Skeldergate Bridge and the Millenium Bridge, just outside of Rowntree Park, looking over the Ouse to some mock Tudor dwellings. Great that the lifebuoys along this stretch were all in place; not so great that I had to cycle through flood mud to continue my journey.

Flood light 3

Although this has the added interest of the boat, I prefer this earlier picture because of the light. Thanks to those who commented on the flood photo of a few days ago. I haven't had time to get down to the Ouse to see how much it has overflown this time, but go here to observe how bad it can get.

Flood light 2

An old one of the relatively light River Ouse floods of a few months ago, taken from the right bank looking towards the town centre. 

River reflections

A long view downstream to Ouse Bridge, York, from the City Screen boardwalk. 

Blue bridge blues

This is not the only blue bridge in York, as we have seen here. This more angular construction is a hand-cranked lifting bridge which allows traffic to pass from the Ouse to the Foss and vice-versa . Flooding prevented a close-up, but go to the Jolly Green P to see something like a normal water level.

Friars Terrace, York

Just off the heart of the city and reflected on the flood-waters of the River Ouse, these lovely South Esplanade period dwellings catch the late afternoon sun. This is Friars Terrace in York, three minutes on foot from Clifford's Tower, Ouse and Skeldergate Bridges, and the Castle Museum. Half a million or so, depending on the property, in case you were wondering. An inside view is available here, at least at the time of writing.

Flood light

The King's Arms and other premises have their feet in the water as the River Ouse bursts its banks once again. November through January are York's wettest months, so expect more of this. Riverside businesses are used to it, and the water here is low compared to 2000, as Simon Caldwell's photographs will show you.