That morning with the help of a cab we left out hotel and made our last stand in Nottingham at the train depot….we loved the beautiful midland city and hope to return again soon….hint to the City—your citizens are not happy with the job you’ve done publicizing your city…and we agree…I stumble on (and loved) this city quite by accident and the number of Brits I’ve spoken with since who have never been there is sad.

But anyway we went to the station and headed out again–

England is a small but ancient and beautiful country and I enjoyed my train trips as well as my tours and other events.

Their trains are clean and comfortable and while this one didn’t have a lunch service or WIFI they did have a pass through cart with all manner of goodies many not so good for you.

There are all manner to see—in case some things we would just as well not remember wee have dependence on.

But then you can always read or like some crazy people you know take picture after endless picture of anything and/or everything that fittered past your window.

A couple of hours later and we were in York….the secret (don’t ask) Capital of the north.  York is an ancient has proved very important in the long history of its existence.  Constantine (an emperior)—proclaimed himself ruler here on learning of his father’s death and would eventually go on to rule the Roman world—which included Britian, excluding the Scots whom the Romans put a wall up keep away….which gives you some idea of how much they liked the barbarians from the north.

York is also a city of enjoyable activities…many wonderful historical sites including about 3 miles of the original Medieval wall (the lower half being a bit Roman as well.

We caught a cab—they actually had a que (line) here so it was easy….and it was off to the B+B York.

As we moved along we tried to establish the B&B as our cab driver had no idea who they were.  Once we arrived we were able to establish that the York B&B name has been awhile for a bit of time but that some of the locals knew it as the Grove.  It’s even situated on St. Peter’s Grove.

The city is full of ruins, huge churches an all manner of old and new to delight the mind and stun the eye.

The place turned out to be lovely—and as I set in the last one Susi and I are sharing this trip it is hands down the best…..and I just got a big Amen from Susi as well.

We couldn’t check in yet, but they put our luggage in a safe place so se could wander the city to our heart’s content.

The houses on our walk….take a left on St. Peter’s Grove and continue until it ends (right across from the School by the same name)…turn left under the cross walk and continue on till you reach one of the city gates (there are several usually connected to the old wall) which are called Bars.

St Peter’s School is the fourth oldest School in the world.  Founded in the Dark Ages of Britain 627 AD, after the Romans had retreated from our shores and when England was carved up into several kingdoms, much of its early history is sketchily drawn. However, some facts are clear.  https://www.stpetersyork.org.uk/st_peters/about/history_of_st_peters

The name ‘bar’ has its origins in the bars – barriers or simple gates – that were used to block the gateways to keep people out. Originally the bars were relatively simple structures. Over the years they became increasingly elaborate and complex.  http://richardiiiexperience.com/discover-medieval-york/about-the-city-walls/the-walls-1250-to-1600/

continuing on the street past hotels and much more in this popular town for visitors–particularly fellow Brits.

Including one dedicated to a former PM

and then we finally made the gate.

up to the most famous building in town–York Minster–a Cathedral which to the Church of England is the 2nd in the land–only outranked by Cantebury…it’s beautiful and amazing and possesses the largest amount of medieval glass in England and it ranks high in the rest of Europe as well.

building is a patchwork quilt of many periods. A Roman well hides beneath the stage, 12th century remains of what was once a hospital mingles with the Georgian interior, while the Victorian façade is fused with award winning 1960s poured concrete design. The amalgam of architecture is a fine example of how builders of the past would reuse sound walls and encompass them within their development.

The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster …The title “minster” is attributed to churches established in the Anglo-Saxon period as missionary teaching churches, and serves now as an honorific title.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Minster

Lunch found us in this lovely Italian Restaurant in safe care of this handsome gentleman.

after some great food we were off again,

Then there was a return to a more typical weather pattern and luck for me the pound store (like dollar store) had umbrellas out for those  of us who forget it’s a necessity.

We continued to walk on despite being rained on…enjoying the history all about us.

We passed over the River Ouse:  The York district was settled by Norwegian and Danish people, so parts of the place names could be old Norse. Refeering to the etymological dictionary “Etymologisk ordbog”, ISBN 82-905-2016-6 dealing with the common Danish and Norwegian languages – roots of words and the original meaning: Os – the mouth of a river. The old norse wording oss, gradation form ouso https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Ouse,_Yorkshire

This old church is a site that teaches adults and children about archeological digs and searches, which I think is a great idea. ….but after long walks we finally decided on turning our feet toward home…

Where we checked in and got cozy for an early evening after a long day of walking through history.

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