A couple of weeks ago I was on my way to Spurn Head but at the last minute I changed my mind so I diverted the car to spend the morning around the Minster Quarter in York.

This was a high risk strategy as it was the first Saturday of St Nicholas Fair which means that the city centre is full to bursting and everyone has to shuffle round like penguins. I couldn't believe my luck when The Shambles was devoid of people and I enjoyed almost 15 minutes of quiet before the shops opened and the shoppers appeared.

The morning was very misty, verging on fog, but the conditions really enhanced the atmosphere making the city look more historic and moody.