York

• We never tire of wandering through ancient York and, so, off we went again, this time by rail. It is always exciting to walk in the footsteps of the Romans and Vikings and explore their handiwork. This trip we even entered the Jorvik Viking Centre --- for which the afternoon line was surprisingly short --- and found the experience entertaining and educational. Jorvik is based on an underground excavation of houses, workshops and backyards of Viking-Age York. The Centre includes a ride through a simulated Viking village, like the one excavated on this site. Alas, no photos are allowed.
  
  It was already lunch time when we arrived at the York rail station and that set our priorities. We found a delightful little pub for dining near Monkgate just by chance. Part of its perfection was the view we had of the passing scene (momentarily missing below) at a table set back from the window:
  

  

  Only toward the end of our meal were the tables in front of us occupied. The food was good and the decorations amusing:
  

  

  

  Others that we chuckled over were:
  “Hard work never killed anyone, but why take a chance?” ... Edgar Bergen
  “A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water.” ... Sidney Goff
  “Always be yourself, because the people who matter don’t mind, and the people who mind don’t matter.” ... source unknown
  
  Just a short distance away was Monkgate, built in the early 14th century:
  

  

  Any visit to York must include a stroll through the narrow lane called The Shambles, lined in medieval days with butcher stalls:
  

  

  York Minster towers over many a street scene ...
  

  

  and purple men are not uncommon ...
  

  

  though they can be uncommonly grateful for financial support:
  

  

  This Purple Man mime also expressed his appreciation by daubing a paint brush filled with purple paint on Patty’s hair. Fortunately, the paint on the brush was already dry.
  
  The numerous Tudor-style buildings are a treat for the eye, all carefully preserved:
  

  

  

  Naturally, we walked the walls ...
  

  

  and made another attempt to photograph the Minster facade:
  

  

  Every time we come to York, I try to get the whole facade in and every time I fail. Someday, I’ll have to buy a wide-angle lens as the best I can do now is get a whole tower in!