After missing most of a day in York, we are up and out for a long day of catch up. We decide to go to the wall, but walk the opposite direction this time
York Castle, now called Clifford's Tower, was originally built in 1068. During the Scottish wars between 1298 and 1338, York Castle was used for military operations; however, since the 15 and 16th centuries, its life has been dedicated to serving as a prison.
The Tour de France will be in York just 72 hours from now. We had hoped to see some of it, but we are leaving tomorrow.....and that's probably a good thing because all the roads in the entire area will be closed for a few days.
Even the lily pads in the river have yellow blossoms. The creativity and enthusiasm of the Yorkies is evident throughout the town.
This bike is covered with knitting....it's in the window of a knitting store.
Here they are actually trying to sell the bike.
Our destination: the magnificent Minster of York. York uses the old word, Minster, which means a centre of Christian teaching and ministering. It is, of course, also a cathedral. The first minster was build in the 7th century on this location; the present one is the fourth on this site. It is the largest medieval structure in the entire UK. The construction of it was begun about 1220 and took 250 YEARS to complete!
Archeology digs produced this Roman column, dating back to the early Roman history of York. The plaque reads: This Roman column once stood within the Great Hall of the headquarters building of the fortress of the sixth legion in the fourth century A.D. It was found in 1969 during the excavation of the south transept of the Minster, lying where it had collapsed It was given by the Dean and Chapter to the York Civic Trust who, in 1971, erected it on this site to mark the 1900th anniversary of the foundation of the city by the Romans in A.D. 71.
Constantine the Great was crowned in the York Minster!
We watched this craftsman for 15-20 minutes, chiseling, by hand, the stone to replicate the Middle Ages craft.....
The property behind the Minster was reverently quiet and serene.
Now this is a tribute to the Tour de France to experience!!!
One of the best salads I've ever had! Those are pears poached in red wine with blue cheese and roasted walnuts, dressed very lightly with champagne and oil.
Tom's was kinds boring next to mine....those are tiny potato blintzes on the side. Didn't take pictures of the entrees: more salmon and beef filet.
Our waitress is helping us find our way back to the b n b....going a different route to see some more of York.
At first we thought this was a wedding, but after chatting with a local, we learned that it is Prom night. Tradition is to gather at the Minster for pictures, Prom, leave Prom at 11pm and go to private parties and get drunk.....sound familiar?
The cars these kids drove up in were more impressive than the dresses!
Some window shopping on the way back....
Hats, hats and more hats!!!!
The Shambles is a bustling centre piece of historic York. The street today is one of the UK's most visited and was voted Britain's Most Picturesque Street in 2010. The way the 15th century building lean into the middle of the cobbled street means that the roofs almost touch in the middle. Mentioned in the Domesday book, over 900 years ago, we know Shambles to be York's oldest street. Our waitress who lives in the area described it as "higgly piggly". Yes -- those buildings are really leaning -- way out of plumb.
Even the churches are promoting the Tour
I've never seen a bus APOLOGIZE for not being in service. Very polite nation!
This is front view of our b n b. There is a yellow bike on the fence. Look very carefully.
A painting of York Minster above the fireplace. Good night and good bye to York, a lovely town with lovely people.....and a long, long history.
