York

I've just got back from a weekend at Emma's in York, where Lin and I stayed.    We spent Friday afternoon after we got there chilling with Emma and Lesley who came for the afternoon/evening and then the 3 of us went into town on Saturday to do some sightseeing.   It's been too long since we all got together so it was lovely to have a good chat.

we went out for a meal with Lesley on Friday and this was the beautiful sunset as we came out of the restaurant

 we headed for the Minster first and spent some time walking round the outside - such a beautiful building

We were all glad that the intense heat of the last few weeks had abated for the day and it was slightly overcast, so walking was bearable.

outside the Minster is a fabulous sculpture showing the layout of the building and its surroundings

 shame about the scaffolding, but as with all old buildings that are centuries old, they take a lot of upkeep

 war memorial

 this is a National Trust building (wasn't open yet) - when we walked round the city walls later we could see they were setting up for a wedding - what a beautiful setting)

 York is a beautiful ancient city with hundreds of gorgeous old buildings.

 In a few weeks the York Stone yard is having an open day,  Love that they are right on sight
underneath the Minster (don't call it a Cathedral!!)

 working on the stones for replacements

such a fabulous skill - we were marvelling at how it's been done by hand like this for all those years...

 as we got back to the front again, we headed inside (a friend from work at leant me her two tickets she'd got when she visited a few weeks ago, and they are valid for a whole year, so we bought a 3rd ticket for Emma and in we went.  )


the last time I went round the Minster was in 1989 on my honeymoon, so it's been a while!

 you are allowed to take photographs, unlike in some churches and cathedrals so I made the most of it.

York is renowned for its beautiful stained glass.

 the ceiling is stunning too.

I think the skill of the builders and masons when this was constructed, without modern tools is just staggering.

 the famous Rose window, that in 1984 was so badly damaged by fire, when my ex and I visited 5 years later they were still restoring it

 tombs and carvings of former Archbishops

 down in the crypt (this wasn't open for visiting on my previous trip)

when you think how many hands have touched these bits of wall...

 stunning mosaics


it was took dark down there to take many pictures

 intricate carvings

 the organ.   this is the best one I got, the others are a bit blurry and scaffolding-y!!

 the rose window closer

 another old - very old - 1215 or so - archibishop

 down some more stairs in another bit
this is a book commemorating the soldiers who died from York in WWI

 the lecturn on one of the pulpits

Once back outside we headed for the city walls

as most of them are still largely intact so you can walk round them


Much like London (and many other old cities) they used gates to keep people in - or out - in ancient times

 following Lin (black tshirt) and Emma (backpack) up the fabulous old streets

 pausing to photograph here and there...

 the Minster behind us

 we stopped for a coffee

 before getting to the gate and climbing to the wall

 single file... it was busy with tourists, so every now and then there was a bottle neck whilst a group passed....

still grey, but no rain

 the views of the Minster were fabulous...

 the lawn bottom right is the back of the building I pointed out as the wedding venue

 gotta love a bit of stone wall

 when we got to the next set of steps, we went down and past the art gallery, (no time to pop in)

 past more of the city wall - not able to walk along this bit obviously!

 past the church where Emma's son was Christened...

 into the Museum grounds...

 ruined walls....

 made the girls pose

 we came across a display of falconry and owls... oh my so cute...

 fluff ball!!

 ruffled his feathers on cue...

 so beautiful!!

 we walked across the bridge over the river Ouse...fortunately not in flood today (hardly surprising, given how little rain we've had)

fabulous lamp posts

 back up on the wall again..

 past another war memorial..

 the Minster still dominating the views..







Emma says there used to be a plaque on the floor near here saying this is the best spot to take a view of York although we couldn't see it - but the view was fabulous!

 as we got to Micklegate where we were heading down again, I saw a lookout standing on the parapet - stone, obviously!

 Mickelgate, entrance to the city. One of the most famous gateways

 can't remember if it was just before or after that we stopped for lunch.


Love the old Barclays bank building..

we were heading for the Castle that sits on top of a hill for good lookout opportunities - as Emma had heard of a Shakespeare pop up Globe theatre putting on performances

 we didn't climb the steps (and you are forbidden from climbing the slope)

 the Globe pop up

 they had some fabulous tshirts on sale, should have got a picture!

 the Court building

 old churches

 my wardrobe rail is bowing like this building!

 the Shambles, tiny street  - used for Diagon Ally in the Harry Potter films..

there are a few shops that are trading on the connection, drawing huge crowds!!

 opposite the bus stop back to Emma's

the smaller of the rivers in York, the Fosse.

 and that's the weekend in York - photo heavy so hope you're still with me!

Thanks for great company, and the hospitality Emma.  see you all soon I hope.