York Weekend

Took advantage of a work trip to York for a long weekend away - with Martin joining me on the Thursday evening by train.

Met at the station and went for a couple of pints in The Maltings a real ale pub which we'd always found too busy to get in before that night.

Good cider as well as beer, and interesting decor - not entirely sure it's the best of plans to have a toilet ornamenting the bar mind you!


An enjoyable weekend followed 'doing' the sights of York - although we tended to stick to the indoor sights given the weather (which definitely wasn't living up to the heights of last Sunday.)



Revisited the Treasurer's House, which was hosting an exhibition on Vivien Leigh (documents, costume, film, etc.).  Interesting house, good ghost talk, but we didn't get to visit the cellars where the Roman soldiers are seen this time.



We probably spent the majority of our time in the National Railway Museum - plenty to see here, trains, the 'warehouse' area, model railways, demonstrations, and exhibitions.

I always enjoy poking round the warehouse area, but found some interesting signs in the exhibition this time:

Of course we did fit in a wander round York's medieval streets, and a circuit of the walls (when it wasn't raining that is!).  Indulged in curry, and even fitted in a little shopping before catching our train on Sunday.

All in all a nice break - but a long journey home.

York - Crowds and Christmas

With Christmas madness on the horizon decided to treat ourselves to a long weekend and revisit York.

The advertised Christmas Fayre was one attraction of the weekend, but it  wasn't quite such a nice idea in practice.

On the Saturday at least it was far too crowded with day-trippers to see anything - in fact we soon de-camped to a pub and settled in by the fire.  It did quieten down by the early evening when I finally managed to get close enough to the stalls to see what they were selling!


Shopping wasn't the only thing on the agenda mind you (much to Martin's relief!) and we did also manage to revisit the National Railway Museum.

The 'warehouse' area is particularly fascinating, with offerings ranging from the packaging from the last microwave burger served up on a GNER train (!) . . .


. . . to a wonderfully verbose memorial tablet to William Huskisson (who managed to get himself run over by Stephenson's Rocket):

Sunday was sunny (if a tad breezy) and we completed the traditional circuit of the walls, wandered the narrow streets, and rounded off the day with a curry at the excellent Mumbai Lounge.


All in all a good weekend - but might avoid weekends with Christmas Fayres in future!