The Hairy Fig - Fossgate

Fossgate is one of my favourite streets in York and it has much to commend it. It is the location of one my favourite pubs; in fact I bought the house I live in because it is only twelve minutes walk to the Blue Bell. As well as some fine restaurants like Harvilles and interesting buildings the street now boasts a delicatessen selling some good quality foods. It is run by Susan Hardy who also runs the Blue Bell with her husband Jim. Sales of one of their best selling lines, a quality ice cream has been interrupted by the breakdown of the brand new freezer that had only been working for a few days. Best of luck getting a replacement. If the same level of enthusiasm and interest is generated as there is at the Blue Bell this should soon become a thriving little business.

Ebor Morris tour the city walls

The subtitle to this piece could well have been "Ebor Morris tour the Bars and Bars of York".

The musicians by Monk Bar.

Inside the walls at Walmgate bar.

The dances have been around for a long time so the sign is probably appropriate!

Sherrif's ride performed outside Walmgate Bar and then time for a beer, but what a shame that the Rook and Gaskill didn't open at 12:00 as shown on the list of opening times on the door.

Oh dear, no drink here so we did a dance without music as a requim for a pub we have enjoyed in the past!

After refreshing ourselves in the Swan we returned to the walls to perform at the corner by Baile Hill that overlooks the Swan.

Time for another break at the Golden Ball in Bishophill.

I'm going to count to ten and when I open my eyes I am going to make this nasty brown stuff dissappear!

Interruption to the tour as the section f walls from Micklegate to Station Rise were closed. Although the notice said Monday to Friday and it was now Sunday the gate was locked. Looks like the work overran by a few days! This was an opportune time to go and do our half hour session in King's Square

King's Square brought out loads of photographers as a half hour session was performed for the York Carnival. After a short refreshment stop in the Blue Bell a few stalwarts continued the tour and headed off towards Bootham Bar to continue the last section of available wall.

More tourists taking photos in the rain as Stu gets ready to do a solo jig by York Minster.

The lad does a solo jig outside the Minster.

The hardest part of touring the city walls is getting the sticks up and down the steps. A short video clip of the survivors dancing at Robin Hood Tower can be seen on UTube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=50-MeI0Wf1Y

The lad does another solo jig, where does he get the energy?

With much ceremony the sticks were dropped at the bottom of the stairs at Monk Bar to mark the end of the tour at the point that it had begun in the morning.

Well, another round on the bag didn't do us any harm (well not too much). The survivors relaxing at the Tap & Spile in Monkgate.

Pub Window - Blue Bell - Fossgate

Probably the smallest pub within the city walls but one of the most interesting with really well kept beers.

Fossgate

Fossgate is one of those streets that tends to be overlooked by tourists unless they are heading to the Merchant Adventurers Hall. It is well worth a visit though, this view is from the bridge over the River Foss looking towards the Minster in the background. I will repeat my oft said adage, "look at the buildings above the ground floor level for there is much to see at this second level.

Other points of interest along Fossgate include the bridge over the River Foss, The Blue Bicycle Restaurant with a blue bicycle chained to the street sign just outside the restaurant front door and the entrance way to the Merchant Adventurers Hall which is probably a more interesting approach to the building than the one from Piccadily.

See my earlier blog on the Blue Bell for details of one of the smallest pubs in York. I will return later to Fossgate to look at McDonalds furniture store (not the Burger chain) and look at the Zik Zak shop and one or two others in this short but intersting street.

Note: if you are looking at a Google map of the Fossgate area there is an error in the map showing the location of the river to the South of Merchantgate whereas it is actually located north of Merchantgate.

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Blue Bell - Fossgate

The Blue Bell in Fossgate is probably one of the smallest Public Houses in York and is nearly always packed with people. It has an interesting interior and it is worth looking in both rooms whilst you have a drink. The front bar furniture can best be described as Spartan and basic. In the back room if you are lucky enough to get a seat, let alone get in there, the furniture is a little more comfortable and service is from the curtain or the hatch. If both rooms are full you will probably end up standing in the passageway linking both rooms. Well worth a visit as the beer is kept to a really good standard.