Leaving Keswick we headed south east to Whitby, a picturesque little fishing town that lies on the east coast of
The harbor Whitby (Click to Enlarge)
England, directly on the North Sea. We were reminded of Maine with lobster traps sitting near the docks and boats anchored in the harbor.
We found the quaint Board Inn Public House for lunch . After lunch, we walked up to the St Mary`s Church and the ruins of the Whitby Abbey . We finished with the purchase of an exquisite pair of earrings for our son`s girlfriend, Cheyna.
Flooded Ouse River looking south (Click to Enlarge)
York was our next stop, a short distance to the south. The Ramada Encore was close to the town center, a few steps from the Ouse River. Heavy rain was reflected in the height of the river, with riverside patios and parking lots covered (right).
That afternoon we took advantage of the hotel`s location and walked across into town. We found a very busy town with a lot of people bustling about. When we (as a group) returned later for dinner most of the shops were closed and the crowds were gone. For dinner we walked across the town center and out the Monkgate to the Viceroy of India restaurant. The group-dinner was great fun!
Our group gathers outside York Minister, York (Click to Enlarge)
On Thursday we started with a group trip to York Minster. Gillian gave us a brief introduction on the outside steps, while Bob Nesbitt guided us through the inside . This obviously was the central feature of York and a must see. Lunch was from the Upper Crust take-away and we took our food to St. Sampsons Square close by. Nothing fancy, but good food.
The Castle Museumwas our next stop. It held a great collection of every-day "stuff" from the past hundreds of years. A thorough visit will take the better part of an afternoon. It's worth it!
In the early evening we returned to the Minster for Evensong. This is a prayer service that is sung by a choir comprised of both men and boys. There was no charge for the service and it's well worth attending.
Yorkshire Museum Yorkshire Museum, York (Click to Enlarge)
Dinner was a pasty from The Cornish Pasty Bakery which we chewed down in the hotel's bar. We finished the day with a walk on the citiy wall from Bootham Bar to Monks Bar .
On Friday we stayed in York long enough to do some last minute sightseeing. This was the only time we split up. Ron headed to the Yorkshire Museum and Linda stayed to look around at the outdoor market and then visited the Roman Baths. The Yorkshire Museum primarily focused on the archeology of York and northern England. There were a number of interactive exhibits as well as the normal static displays.
Mary`s Church and Whitby Abbey
We climbed the famous 199 steps (recently converted from wood) to reach the cliffs that overlook the town and the harbor entrance to the North Sea. The Abbey was destroyed in the early 1500's, although the ruins were still there. Mary`s Church, on the other hand, still stands. The interior of the church had a number of interesting features including a three tiered pulpit, ear horns for the preacher's wife, box pews with the names of the family who rented them and a great deal of woodwork that was said to have been built by the local boat builders. Well worth a visit.
Linda checking out the interior St. Mary`s Church, Whitby (Click to Enlarge)
Jack, coming from St. Mary`s Church (alternative to the 199 steps) Whitby (Click to Enlarge)
Remains of Whitby Abby Whitby (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Mary`s Church and Whitby Abbey
York Minister
Bob Nesbitt introduces himself York Minister, York (Click to Enlarge)
On our tour York Minister, York (Click to Enlarge)
The York Minster was truely outstanding! It was the first cathedral we visited and clearly one of the best. Bob Nesbitt (left) was our guide for our tour of the cathedral interior. Our first impression was its size. Ok, it isn't as large as St Peter's, but it was very impressive! Bob was outstanding (although he could have talked a little louder). We walked away believing he had a lot more to tell and obviously he loved telling all about his cathedral. Near the entrance to the cathedral we also saw the tomb of the Archbishop Walter de Gray...the person that planned the cathedral we see today. Unfortunately, he didn't live to see the finished product as it took over 150 years.
Later in the day we returned to the Minster for the Evensong service. This was a prayer service sung by a choir of both men and boys from the area. The singing was outstanding and the boys were boys. We highly recommend attending.
Bob Nesbitt telling about the famous York Minster clock York Minister, York (Click to Enlarge)
Jean, Sheila, Sheryl, Lauren, Christin and Norm inside the Chapter House York Minister, York (Click to Enlarge)
Tomb of Archbishop Walter Gray York Minister, York (Click Picture to Enlarge)
York Minister Deangate York, Y01 2HG Tel: +44 (0) 1904 557216 FAX: +44 (0) 1904 557201
York Castle Museum
Clifford`s Tower York Castle Museum, York (Click to Enlarge)
The York Castle Museum (named after the York Castle, which stood on the same site) is a great collection of everyday life in York. You can see from the pictures displayed, the museum has taken a great deal of care to insure that past life in York was recreated as accurately as possible. A great visit but plan for an afternoon.
Also on the grounds of the Castle Museum was Clifford's Tower. There were two wooden versions of the keep prior to the one that is there today (built in the latter half of the 13th century). The keep was given the name Clifford's Tower after Roger de Clifford was hanged there in 1322.
Gypsy Wagon on Half Moon Court York Castle Museum, York (Click Picture to Enlarge)
York Castle Museum Eye of York Y01 9RY Tel: +44 (0) 1904 687687
City Wall - Bootham Bar to Monk Bar
Bootham Bar Information Sign City Wall, York (Click to Enlarge)
Monk Bar Information Sign City Wall, York (Click to Enlarge)
Following our Cornish pasties in our hotel bar, the four of us decided it was a great time to walk the wall of York. We understood that the best place to do that was between the Bootham Bar and the Monk Bar. A bar, in this case, is another name for a gate. We walked the wall between the Bars. We found that the area enclosed by the wall had been known as the Minster Close or The Liberty of St. Peter. It housed the home of the Archbishop and the seat of the church government.
The wall was about 20 feet in the air and 4-5 feet wide and was actually in very good shape. The view of the former Minster Close is worth the trip. The walk took no more then 10-15 minutes and was a great way to walk off your dinner. We'd recommend it.
Jack, Jan and Linda climbing to the wall City Wall, York (Click to Enlarge)
Linda walking the wall City Wall, York (Click to Enlarge)
Yorkshire Museum
Ruins of St Mary's (on the grounds) Yorkshire Museum, York (Click to Enlarge)
Built in 1830 the museum was built for the display and study of archeology, geology and natural history collection. Situated in the Museum Gardens (10 minutes west of town center), the former grounds of St. Mary's Abbey (right), the Museum houses the four collections of biology, geological, archeology and astronomy. It was a short walk from the town center. Expect to spend several hours, although, you have a free readmission to the museum if you choose to come back on another day (within a year). If you have an interest in any of the collections, the museum has our recommendation.
Yorkshire Museum Yorkshire Museum, York (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Yorkshire Museum Museum Gardens York, Y01 7FR
Board Inn Public House, Whitby
The food and atmosphere of the Board Inn was average. In fact, since the new smoking law is now in effect, that is no longer a problem. But the view of the harbor...is outstanding! We'd recommend it for that reason alone.
Outside Board Inn Restaurant, Whitby (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Board Inn Public House, Whitby 125 Church Street Whitby, Y021 Tel: (01947) 602884
Viceroy of India
Our first night in York was topped off with a group dinner at the Viceroy of India. Now I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of food from India, but I also have to admit that the food at the Viceroy was good. We were served a number of selections ( a buffet at our table). Some were spicy and others only mildly so. Anyway we enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the great company of our group! As all the others, we'd recommend the Viceroy of India.
The rest of our group Viceroy of India Restaurant, York (Click to Enlarge)
Linda, JP, Therese, Jan & Jack Viceroy of India Restaurant, York (Click to Enlarge)
Our host explaining how dinner will be served Viceroy of India Restaurant, York (Click to Enlarge)
Further down the table Viceroy of India Restaurant, York (Click to Enlarge)
From the outside Viceroy of India Restaurant, York (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Viceroy of India 26 Monkgate York, YO31 7PF, UK Tel: +44 1904 622370
Upper Crust
Great take-away comfort food. Close to the square for a quick but enjoyable lunch.
Upper Crest Take-away (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Upper Crust 23 Lendal York Y01 8AQ Tel: 01904 636694
The Cornish Pasty Bakery
We decided that we didn't want to spend a lot of time trying to find a place for dinner. Instead we happened by the Cornish Pasty shop and with Jan's love of pasties (from her childhood in Northern Michigan) there was no choice. We took our pasties back to the hotel.
Jan & Jack in front of The Cornish Pasty Bakery (Click Picture to Enlarge)
The Cornish Pasty Bakery 6 Coney Street York, Y01 9NA Tel: 01904 541413
Ramada Encore Hotel
A great hotel. Rooms at or above average and an ideal location A short walk to all the sights, able to come and go without having to stay out for a long period. The bar was a great place to bring take-away and play some cards with Jack and Jan. We recommend it.
Exterior View Ramada Encore Hotel, York (Click Picture to Enlarge)
Ramada Encore Hotel Micklegate York, Y01 6JG Tel: 44 870 443 0029 FAX: 44 870 443 0031
