York Artist - Milladdio

After our allotment social evening a few of us went on to the Tap and Spile for a bit of folk music. I got in to conversation with an interesting young man and his partner. He handed me one of his artworks in postcard format which I agreed to show on this blog. His work is fascinating and often includes scenes of York in the background. The Tap and Spile features in one or two of his works which can be viewed on his website.

Petergate Busker

I heard this young lady busker as I came out of Stonegate playing some interesting music, jigs and reels. Although obviously a skilled musician working from the dots written down ,the music seemed to lack that spontaneity and enjoyment you get from a fiddler playing the Irish tune by ear or from memory. There is a great session in the Tap & Spile, Monkgate on Friday evenings and there is always at least a couple of fiddlers there. The room is small so make sure you get there early if you want a seat.

Canada Geese - Junction Monkgate and Huntington Road

These geese are some of the inhabitants of the small park mentioned in yesterday's blog. Canada geese have become so prolific in the UK that there is an open hunting season on them all year round. This pair came dashing up to me whilst I was taking photographs, no doubt expecting that I had brought them some stale bread to feed them. Sorry guys, no food, just a camera!

River Foss at Junction Huntington Road and Monkgate

This small area of parkland next to the River Foss is by the roundabout junction where Huntington Road meets with Monkgate and Heworth Green. There are several geese that gather in this area indicating that the water quality of the river has improved dramatically since the 1960s. Traffic chaos sometimes happens here when the geese decide to go for a walk across the road and move slowly.

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.

Tap and Spile Pub - Monkgate

The Tap and Spile pub in Monkgate has a very European looking facade. It serves lunchtime meals and sells a range of cask conditioned beers and runs interesting events like Pork Pie competitions and music nights. Friday nights there is a free folk session that is often jam packed with musicians.