Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve in York

Today’s walk was wet and slushy. I learned just how not waterproof my street shoes are. My feet were soaked after 30 minutes, so we started looking for a place to buy some good waterproof shoes. At the first store we tried, the young hip sales boy tried to convince me that the cool looking, thin leather high-top shoes were water proof. I said “these are good for slush and ice?” He nodded yes. I turned them over and the soles were slick, no tread at all. I said “And the bottom is slick so it’s easier to fall on the ice?” He went looking for another salesperson. The next young sales lady passed us on to a third sales lady who suggested an Army and Navy Store around the corner. That worked out great and Robin bought me an unexpected Christmas present of comfortable, warm, dry, waterproof shoes that also look great on slushy streets, in Minsters and Cathedrals, and also in pubs and on university campuses. Brilliant!


York Minster looms over York’s old city streets.
Photo tip: shooting photos in less than ideal light conditions sometimes makes for more interesting photos


York street scene. York Minster towers watch ghost-like over the city.


Cathedral towers and stove pipes. (Hmmm. I sense a painting coming soon)


The Old White Swan pub. One of the most famous and oldest pubs in town (the 1500s). Also haunted by ghosts. It was voted York’s best pub. Twice. We had an excellent Christmas Eve dinner here. And Treacle tart with custard for dessert, for those of you who know Treacle.


A pint of cider for the lady. I had a Winter Pimm’s (similar to spiced or mulled cider). Then a half pint of cider.


Another bridge over the Ouse River.


A foggy morning on the Ouse River.


Cliffords Tower is right on the edge of town, next to the York Castle Museum and the ice skating rink. It’s all that remains of York Castle, built in the 1200s. The tower was built on top of a mound where William the Conqueror built a fortress in 1069. How long does it take to build a mound anyway? Did they use MoundPro 10.6?


A family of geese cross the street, going to Cliffords Tower.


Ice skating across the road from Cliffords Tower.


Holiday fun.


The Lion in Winter.