After narrowboating, of course, we’re now experts, we drove to a 5 pitch site just outside York for the night.
Don’t trust published or real time bus times! I’d checked the published timetable for busses into York. At the bus stop I used the qr code for real time info. 26 mins to wait. It was cold, so I said I’d walk Corrie in the field opposite. Only to watch the bus sail by! Grr another 20 min wait. But an interesting chat with a couple from Fuertaventura… she’d lived in Spanish Sahara and had to leave with 2 small children with 2 hour’s notice when Franco died. Morocco had designs on the territory and was invading.
Initial impressions of York were not favourable. Pavements with paint, rubbish and grubby buildings. We followed an app walking tour and soon warmed to York. Lots of interactive museums; the Railway Museum had been recommended by 2 people. Interesting architecture and history. We didn’t have time to do it justice at all … reckon a week would do it. So another go back to. We were seriously limited on time, as we then had a 4 hour drive up to a motorhome meet in Kelso.
Clifford’s Mount – start of our walking tourNarrow streetsBrunchThe Shambleswith lots of independent shops. There was a massive queue for a ghost figurine shop … every pub had at least 3 ghosts. Christmas shop where all the customers were greeted with a cherry Happy ChristmasHoly Trinity Church GoodramgateI spoke to the volunteer who explained that York has more C15 and C16 strained glass than anywhere else in England. Much was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s troops. Fortunately for York, a local man led the fight here and he preserved it. An unusual peep hole between a Chapel and the main church, so two parallel services could run … in parallel!Most of the church has old box pews with seats facing each other. Families would discuss the sermon from the pulpit. After the Refamation, the church decreed that pews should all face forward and the congregation should listen to the sermon delivered by the alter. This church had lost it’s wealthy patrons as they moved out of the city, and so the church only had the money to install a few of the new pews. The Church, frustrated with the progress, closed the church building, thus preserving the original pews. Refurbishment of the Minster … scaffolding tours available. I fancied a ride in the lift. York Minster is the 2nd largest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It did feel huge walking next to it. City walls
Clune Gap Years 