Nearly a year ago I was on a train that got delayed by more than 3 hours a consequence of which was a full refund (in travel vouchers) by the rail company. I've used a few for local daytrips but, faced with the expiry date, needed to use up the balance quick so, whilst I'm on holiday I suggested a day trip first class to York which after deducting the vouchers, came to £3.80. Why not?
Pic 1. The bonus was that on the day East Coast trains were providing complimentary meals and drinks to all first class passengers! Here's my lunch. A very decent chicken and mushroom pie, chips and salad with a generous glass of red wine. No complaints. Pic 2 arrival at York station. An old large and impressive building but if you zoom in you'll see that the ironwork does need some attention. Pic 3. Outside the station is the city wall which is impressive. We didn't have time to walk along it though. Maybe next time.
Pic 4. One of the gates or 'Bar' as they're known. This is the south bar entrance from London and the south. Inside they've pedestrianised a large area which makes it pleasant to walk round the many shops. The equivalent of Norwich's Elm Hill is the Shambles (pic 5) except theirs is bustling because it's crammed with loads of small businesses. It would make Elm Hill look more like it used to! Pic 6 shows the statue of Minerva sitting on a pile of books at the alley leading to York Minster Yard.
I've selected just a few of dozens of pics from York Minster. Works still ongoing. At present they're restoring the huge east window. Still a very impressive building. If you want more pics posted let me know.
This is the outside of the Jorvik Centre near Coppergate. Couldn't take pics inside - sorry. Inside you go down to the archaeological dig where they found the remains of a Viking village. It's covered with glass so you can walk over it and then down a corridor you board a three seater suspended ride like a ghost train only this one transports you through a reconstructed village with animated Vikings and the different smells are sprayed in the air as you pass the butcher, carpenter and on the final way out, the man behind a wicker fence having a poo! Use your imagination!
Finally, we finished our day trip at the National Rail Museum near the station. It's brilliant and again there's so much more than the pics show. Pic 1 The Mallard. Pic 2 a cutaway to show the insides of the engine. Pic 3. I got Sheri to stand next to this monster train built in Lancashire for China. The train home was just a regular size but a free afternoon tea and wine were laid on so no complaints and home by supper.
0 comments:
Post a Comment