More Christmas Day photos

Robin on Shambles, Christmas morning.

Shambles is all about closeness.

Yes, it’s a cold Christmas morning. But I’m oblivious to it, thanks to the toasty warm hat present from Robin, and the new weatherproof shoes.

Robin rambles ‘round Shambles.

Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate. “Gate” means “street.” In 1505 this street was known as Whitnourwhatnourgate, meaning “what a street!” A plaque claims it’s the shortest street in York, but Little Shambles looked much shorter to me. Maybe Little Shambles doesn’t qualify as a real street.

Christmas morning light on York Minster, from Shambles.

One of the few places we found open on Christmas Day, a pub near Micklegate Bar.

Christmas Day in York

This morning we walked several blocks to the Micklegate Bar, the main old entrance to the City of York from London. This is where, in 1460, the head of Richard Duke of York was put on display on a pike and wearing a paper crown. On top of this very tower. “So York may overlook the town of York” according to the records. this view is from outside the city wall, looking in.

Micklegate Bar from inside the city wall, looking south. The traffic from London entered through here.

Robin reads an information sign on the wall. She’s really studying the sign from a typographic and design perspective. Always on the job. The gate to the stairs is locked, due to dangerous snow and ice. In good weather you can walk the wall almost all the way around the city.  A two-hour walk.

From Micklegate we walked across the river bridge to town, then to Shambles street to take photos. Today and tomorrow (Boxing Day) are two rare opportunities to photograph Shambles without lots of people. Shambles is one of the best preserved Medieval streets in the world. The word “shambles” refers to the large window sills at the bottom of windows where butchers displayed their meats.

A Shambles window.

The Lost Christmas Eve Photos

I found a few photos from Christmas Eve 2009 (yesterday) that got left out and were considered by many scholars to be lost forever.

A great sounding quartet sings Christmas Carols on one of York’s cobblestone streets.

Three beautiful girls in spiffy red Christmas coats, mesmerized by the Christmas Carolers. As were many who passed by. Lots of people put money in the group’s tip bucket, including me so I could video an entire song without feeling guilty.

The Shambles on Christmas Eve.

Good news (for me)

I'm now able to use the train station WiFi connection from inside the
hotel door. I get a strong signal from inside the vestibule (below).
It's much warmer in there. Now I've moved thru one more door into a
hotel hallway where it's even heated. The signal is weak here but it
should work. There's no visual evidence that anyone else is using the
connection. In fact, I haven't seen another laptop or iPhone. Cheers!!

Big Christmas Dinner

We just finished a big, delicious dinner at our hotel. Robin signed up
for 24 hour Internet connection in the room. While she uses it and my
laptop, I'm here at my favorite train station WiFi location (photo
below).

When Robin finishes her Christmas emails, I'll upload today's photos.

Merry Christmas!

While Santa is still making deliveries in the USA, I walked next door
to the train station that's closed, looking for the WiFi connection
outside the building. I gave up and walked back to the hotel. When I
got 20 yards from the hotel door (on the right in the photo) I
suddenly had a full strength signal (the left side of the photo).

So Merry Christmas to everyone!!