UK2018 Trip - Dec 8

[johncomic]

Today I was greeted by a bright sunny morning, wherein I went out for coffee and briefly got lost, during which loss I stumbled upon St. Mary's:



When I got back, I spent a few minutes doing some sketching -- the first drawing I have done since I got here. (So if you notice creaking or rust, that might explain it. Also, I dunno what is up with my camera but that paper is yellow!)



Later, I went out again and finally did something I had promised myself I would do at some point during this trip -- I walked around the city with my walkman, listening to Shed Seven (the band of York) as my soundtrack. And it was glorious.
Today's walkabout involved a wander down Walmgate where I chanced on St. Denys:



(I know I take a lot of pictures of churches here, but there are a lot of churches, and trust me, no two are alike!)



Here is the headquarters of the local paper:



Finally I came to Walmgate Bar, the most completely intact old gate in the city:



Here there were staircases up to the walkways on top of the old city wall, so I finally got up there on one!




Hey look, there's even a coffee shop on top of the arch -- how swell!



Here's a view of the gate's barbican from atop the wall:



and a view of the city beyond the wall:



On my way back around, I found St. Margaret's:



and the National Centre for Early Music -- I didn't actually go in but I think it's swell that it exists. (I like early music.)



I also revisited some places from earlier days, including my fave street Fossgate. Just the other side of Foss Bridge, I discovered a snickelway leading to a music store that I hadn't realized was tucked back there:



I confess, I had a teary but sweet moment on Foss Bridge as dusk fell.

Here's a night view of the lights on Foss Bridge making wiggly reflections on the Foss:



And an unrelated night view of Christmas lights on Coney Street to say good night.

Comments

[ginsu]

Do you ever feel an unscientific, New Age-y sense, meaning beyond abstract awareness, that your ancestors spent an awful lot of time living in this part of the world?

[johncomic]

very much so, yes -- an atavistic feeling of belonging, even stronger than during last year's visit (I suspect that accounted for the teary moment mentioned)