Rocking Your World Friday - 6th of 2019

Good morning, good evening, good afternoon I hope I find you all well, tis Friday time for 

So first up Friday flowers from last week, sometimes it is nice to treat ourselves and these were crying out to be taken home 

Hubby was off on Friday and we were trying to sort things out regarding said 18 year old's new car which is proving incredibly problematic, so keep your fingers toes and everything else crossed that we manage to get things resolved very soon. 

Next up we decided to head to York on Saturday as we'd seen an Ice Sculpture trail advertised on Facebook, happening throughout the city on Saturday.  50 ice sculptures to find whilst exploring this beautiful city.  York is one of our favourite places and has a great park and ride system, so we headed out early and we were soon in the city exploring 

We were dropped off quite close to Clifford's tower and found this sculpture (and a map of the trail) quite quickly 

This was the second

Then into the square near the Jorvik centre we found three, the dragon hatchling

This monster 

And this gorgeous bottle with a frozen bouquet inside. 

I think the people in the coffee shop probably found everyone taking photos of this sculpture a little intimidating. 

Then we went in search of the Cheshire cat, and found this, which is rather fortuitous as said 18 year old's brief at the moment is about specific space and he'd been talking about shipping containers, the place is called Spark and is made up of two storeys of shipping containers housing everything from a hair salon to a cocktail bar complete with swing seats. 

Obviously, we found the Cheshire cat, 

soon we were on our way again

Eventually finding the Sorting Hat at the end of the Shambles

which now houses not one, not two but three 'magical' shops, I loved the park your broom sign. 

Onwards we found the Niffler from the Magical Beasts films

And then a piece they were still working on

There were a few that you could put your face into, but it was far too cold and there were far too many people for that nonsense if I'm honest.  

The queue outside Betty's tea shop was something else but I also loved the teapot sculpture.

First buses had had one done too

This is Squirt, he was by far my favourite on the day

The Minster was stunning as always

There were a couple of interactive ones with chocolate buried inside and tools to chisel them out, we didn't partake but there were plenty of adults and children alike that loved it! 

Overall an absolutely sensational day, resulting in not one but two separate poems, I'll include them at the end for anyone that wants a read. 

I've managed some more layouts (determined to make a dent on the photo pile)

Even though some are really old, I've enjoyed doing them. 

Some Christmas ones (2017 again)

I had a stunning sky when I arrived at work the other morning

I've had a mighty busy week again at work, but that's nothing new.  I've tried to clock the positive moments and the gratefuls as I go.  Said 18 year old has been brilliant recently, helping make tea, emptying dishwasher, basic things but without been asked or prompted which is lovely. 

Last night (Wednesday as I'm preparing this in advance), hubby and said 18 year old were out and I had a leisurely evening of a lavender bath, scrapbooking, journal writing and book reading.  Overall it was a lovely evening. 

I've also downloaded an app recently called Action for Happiness, they give you daily prompts, but also gave a February calendar to try and apply, I think its fabulous and have been trying to do something in line with the prompt each day. 

The Ice Trail Poem 

Ice Trail

A new February page has just arrived

Warm coats, sturdy boots and a beautiful city

Our bendy carriage was busy and uneventful 

The starting point close to the river

Fifty sculptures the challenge

Along streets and paths

Passing history on our walk

The Minster, the Shambles, a Roman column

The icy paths mean the wall is shut

So, we meander our way around this beautiful city

A dragon sculpture the first to be ticked off

Around the corner a huddle of people mark the second

A bouquet encased in ice within the tiny square 

A monster and dragon hatchling

Near the queues outside the Jorvik centre

Hubby wanders in search of a pen 

Out of our way, the Cheshire Cat was worth the effort 

Eclectic eateries, bars and shops make up 'Spark'

Stacked shipping containers, an architect’s dream

Scaffold staircase and planks provide a bird’s eye view

Imagining the hustle and bustle in the evenings 

Fairy lights providing the atmospheric backdrop

Bass music vibrating through the oil drum tables

Food filling the air with intoxicating aromas 

Young lovers would sit snuggled on the sofas 

Watching the world go by

Planning futures, mixed with dreams 

This place a haven for making memories 

We carry on along the way spying the Hairy Fig

Artisan bakers galore, bypassing Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate

Heading towards the most famous street in York

The sorting hat sculpture beckons us

People clambering for photos

“What is it?” one lady asks as she looks on

“Ever read or seen Harry Potter” replies hubby,

A shake of the head reminds us that we are indeed surrounded by muggles

The Shambles resembling Diagon Alley 

Wizarding shops too enticing, we wander in

Room to park your broom 

Windows filled with wands, nestled on a bed of crushed purple velvet 

Soon out into the market

We come across the Niffler

Sparkling eyes looking for the next shiny

Pockets so deep to hide any found treasure

Out into the main shopping street

There are so many sculptures

Some you can put your face up to

Or icy stocks to place your head and hands 

A coin drop 'money raising' ice sculpture 

Sits neatly in the melee

Excited children lift off the pennies

"Look what I got" they call with glee 

"Leave them on, it's for charity" parents cry

As disappointed children are forced to return the pennies

Grumpily one young man starts prizing the money off 

And dropping it in the base 

"Leave them where they are"

Calls the help

"They drop when the ice starts to melt"

Disgruntled he moves off, unimpressed 

Other children (and parents) chisel at the blocks of ice

Chocolate encased within

Despite a shop across the way selling the same 

Plastic chisels and cutlery the tools of choice

Our map reader sets us back on our way 

Discovering places of old 

Crisscrossing the river

The queues outside Bettys a sight to behold 

A brief stop outside the Ivy

We munch on hot pasties and sausage rolls

Whilst the fine diners look out at us peasants 

Surrounded by feathery friends waiting for the crumbs 

A live demonstration see the sculptors fire ice skywards

Old style chisels sit happily next to electric tools

As sightseers watch on 

Huddled around each exhibit, making it almost impossible to capture

In hindsight a favourite sculpture

Sits happily outside Turtle Bay

An aqua wall the backdrop

We wave to Squirt sitting aloft the foamy waves, we wander on

York Minster rises up in front

A huge ice train complete with carriage sits along our path 

Children are manoeuvred into the best position 

For photos for parents to show off later 

For those without young children 

We wait patiently so we too can document the sight

One determined woman wants 'that' shot

Oblivious to the sighs around she helps her very young child sit aloft the train 

More concerned with the photo than health and safety

They've moved one of the sculptures 

frustrated we zig zag the street 

Eventually tourist information sets us on our way

Bowler hatted men help those arriving at the Grand

The train station so busy as people head into the city

We march on growing weary on our day

Hero camp marks the end of our trail

Finally ticking the last sculpture from the bedraggled map

A final jaunt across the river along the bridge

Back to where we started from

Steps a plenty on fitbit and phones 

A single decker arrives and we wave good bye

To the trail, the city and the day...

And the poem inspired by the shipping container shopping/eating area called Spark

Spark

From afar it looks undone

A different mark upon this historic city

We move across the road and realise the vision

Stacked containers form a place

Distant from all others

Artisan crafters, a micro brewery

Barbers shops all huddled within the space

Aromas of fried chicken and chargrilled burgers fill the air

A cool February day sweeps through

As people come in search of the frozen Cheshire cat

Eager eyes mop up all the detail

An open sided container provides comfy sofas

The rest of the space filled with tables and chairs

Recycled,  upcycled,  graffiti laden space

Outdoor seating covered in snow and ice and water

Nod towards warmer days and exotic nights

Melting snow slides off the canvas roof

Depositing it's remains on the already sodden boardwalk

We venture on, shops lay out their wares before our eyes

Up the solid scaffold stairs, bolted together we see further bars

Swings as seating inside the cocktail bar

An empty container proves an enticing lure

What could it be, what dream could be realised

Inside it's steely walls

A graffiti crow adorns container at the end of the first floor platform

A copper countered bar sits dark and forlorn

Awaiting it's owners and clients to waken it from its freezing slumber

Metal taps filled with potions ready for the next punter

Back down we see the impromptu cinema screen

Beneath the fairy lit roof

A metropolis in its own right, it cries out

And if anything it lights a 'Spark'

If you are still reading, well done, if you fancy joining in pop back and link up and we can come and visit.