Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely day out in York. It’s that time of year again when the St Nicholas Fayre markets are in abundance. In every available square the market stalls appear with their vast choices of goods and gifts to buy. Most of the stall holders dress in Victorian garb to emphasise the nature of this annual event. York itself is dressed up in her finest Christmas dressage to compliment the season of goodwill. Horse chestnut venders are everywhere offering their winter warmers of roasted fare. Even the trees and the Victorian lamps which are dotted around the shopping districts don’t get left out and also receive Christmas lights or decorations to suit.
In order to sustain all of this Christmas shopping, shoppers have an abundance of choices for replenishment in the vast array of Cafe’s and Restaurants liberally sprinkled on every street. In York, there are no cars travelling along the narrow shopping areas so shoppers are spared the constant interruption of traffic and so can safely wander around using the full width of the cobbled street as they do so. I also find its very hard to get lost in York, as no matter which street you wander down you always seem to return to the St Nicholas Fayre markets situated on Parliament Street.
On practically every street corner or spare area, street musicians were playing festive music to lighten up and lift the spirits of weary shoppers. We sampled the wares wherever there were any samples going, sang along with the street players, took shots of just about everything as we trudged around both the market stalls and the shops.
I bought K a new hat. Her other one had the tendency to perch on top of her head rather akin to a tea cosy. This one makes her look like a cute and snuggly teddy bear. She is lucky. She suits hats. She also found the elusive gift shop where she had (on one of our previous visits to York) seen a York t-shirt. Tucked down one of narrow streets, its called Pandora’s Gift shop. I ended up with yet another fridge magnet.
The weather was very kind to us. Yes they had received a very thin layer of snow in York which hadn’t settled, and the entire day was a showcase of clear blue skies. Okay, it was cold and as the afternoon wore on, it became colder but at least we didn’t experience the horrible rain that we had to endure last year.
We had a Christmas Dinner for our lunch in Browns. It wasn’t until I was sat down that I noticed they did a child’s portion which in hindsight I would have been better ordering as I simply couldn’t eat all of mine. Following our lunch break, we made our way to the Minster to take some photos.
It looked magnificent in the winter sunshine, although I did notice that the work is still being carried out at the rear. You can’t get the whole of the Minster in one single shot, it is so vast and tall. No photo can do it justice in my opinion, you really have to see its size and vastness for yourself with your own eyes.
Winter sunshine always lends everything that you shoot in a different light I feel. Its not a warm light and because its lower down in the sky, longer and deeper shadows are cast, giving your subject a deeper contrast to when shot in the warmer summer months. York is in my view an absolute photographers paradise. Small narrow streets containing some wonderful buildings. I love taking pictures there.
Eventually we made our way back towards the bridge, where we stopped for a tea (or in the case of K, a Santa’s Beard) and a well earned rest for our aching feet. We hadn’t found any new trainers, nor had we purchased any presents either but we had enjoyed another wonderful day out at the York St Nicholas Fayre. If ever you happen to be in Yorkshire at this time of year, I do recommend paying a visit to this fabulous annual event.
TG (More photos of our day over to the right in my flickr sidebar gadget. Just click on them to see them all.)
Technogran's Tales 
Wow I bet you started out quite early TG so much to see, and what a wonderful atomsphere there must have been. Love K’s hat what a treat and so warm. The photo’s are very good ,great one of the Minster. That Christmas dinner looks very tasty did K manage to finish off all of her I wonder. Great day well done and thank you for sharing your day. Sheilax
You should know her by now Sheila! She ate every bit, including mopping up the cranberry sauce! It is a wonderful event to enjoy as everyone is so full of Christmas spirit. (in more ways than one!)
Looks like your day was pretty full, TG, with so much fun and enjoyment packed into it…
K looks so lovely and warm, (toasty warm with the lovely hat too.. I don’t suit many hats either…but K looks fab)…
We’ve had snow overnight and it’s laid but hopefully the sun will melt it enough, otherwise we’ll have ice under the predicted follow on… not nice at all..
Just off to view your other photo’s… Glad you both had a fantastic day and yaaay!! it didn’t rain!! 😉
xPenx
Thanks Pen. Yes the dreaded rain. Hope you enjoy the rest of the photos. It’s snowed here now but only a very thin layer. Its too cold I think for any more today. However, just in case we get any more, K has insisted we do our big shop today…..sigh.
the rest of the photo’s were great TG, loved seeing the Minster.
We’ve had snow lay overnight, and it’s now snowing again, so we’re whitewashed!! I thought I’d bring you this, now don’t forget to DUCK!!
I did warn you!! 😀 xPenx
Sounds like a good day out TG and just love the hat, K does look pleased with it,it suits her. Nice to see she took it off to eat her dinner. Perhaps she felt it let her enjoy it more. LOL I’d have enjoyed it.
Did you spend a lot? and what was the fridge magnet, I got a new one last week, a Border collie.
Keep warm.
Oh K looks absolutely adorable in her new hat!! I want one…I do so love cutsie things. This is such a wonderful time of year with everyone out and about. I enjoyed your photos, these are great to see your part of the world. This is one of the wonderful things about blogging, I believe.
Have a good weekend.
Ravenxox
We bought it from a shop called ‘Accessories’ in York. We have been intent on buying her a new hat. I am also on the lookout for one as well but so far, no luck. Tall order really in my case because I don’t suit hats.
Yes Raven , how else would you see what its like in Yorkshire (unless you visited of course) and how I would I see what its like in America? (where I will never ever set foot owing to the cost of such a venture?) But we can travel all over the world via each others blog posts and see the areas where we reside or visit and best of all, for free!
We can’t do that via any other means.
So true dear Techno…smiles for you on Sunday eve. Rx
What a great day you gals had! Very envious. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, collector or browser, expert or generalist, child or adult because there is bound to be something for you at these types of markets. St Nicholas Market sounds like it may even offer something a bit different, more variety and a bit of a break from the commercialised streets/shops, because by the sounds of things…. you could find original and alternative things! Shopping… and food, a woman’s delight!
By the way, great snapshots and tell K… we should flip a coin for her hat! 🙂
Thanks Seth. We’re all white and bright here as well everyone. K has had to stay at home today but was insisting (and still is!) that we struggle out for some shopping despite the fact that we have food in.
I have resisted for once so she is muttering damning things about me under her breath………… thanks Pen for the snowball! Ouch!
Ah, York, and not the new one, either…so that is where you abide. 😎
This blogging gig is just the best. We get to meet people from all over the world. Here in San Francisco, I take a trolley to go shopping, yet I gather where you are, you USE a trolley for your shopping.