our first visitors in York

As you know, our friends Greg & Stephanie flew to London on Christmas Day and then all four of us headed back to York. While they were here, we braved the English winter to see as much as we could. By English winter, I mean rain. And floods.

Since nothing is open on Boxing Day, we spent it walking around York—seeing the streets, the decorations, walking through the Shambles, exploring the walls, visiting the abbey, etc. Stephanie took a morning run along the river. The next day we went to Helmsley castle, which is in ruins, and drove through Rievaulx. (click on the link for the archived blog) The wind was blowing and then the rain started.

Later on, we had a nice dinner and went to the King's Arms Pub along the River Ouse, a very authentic old pub complete with small fireplace. We had a nice seat facing the river and saw the flood marker they had on the wall inside the pub noting every year the pub has been flooded and how high the water got. Interestingly, floods seem more common in the last two decades or so.

The next day, it got windier and rained some more. So instead of heading out into the countryside, we went back to York to see things open. Stephanie and Greg also toured Clifford's Tower and the Minster.

Again, more rain, but we were able to go to Skipton castle, one of the first places Pat visited. (click on the link for the archived blog) It's a more finished, complete castle which was started by the Normans. I think it was one of Stephanie and Greg's favorite places... maybe because it was dry :) I really enjoyed it as well since I hadn't seen it myself.




After a very pretty drive through the Moors and countryside, we attempted a brewery tour, but ended up having a nice drink and talking to a friendly older Welsh couple who were giving us advice on places to visit. They can remember when Wales was heavily mining coal and the rivers ran black. News is that, not only are the rivers clear now, but a fish has been sited. That's a big deal since everything in those rivers has been dead a really long time.

I think it was that night we ate by the River Ouse in York and noticed that it had flooded very quickly. Out of curiosity, we went back to the King's Arms Pub (or as close to it as we could). It was flooded. It's a good thing Stephanie got her run in when she did since the riverside trail was covered too.

(Flooded. Note the blockade at the door in the upper left and the rope tying the picnic tables down—they've been through this before!)


(Post flood. About one week later and open for business. The river's still higher than usual.)

And, for the grand finale, we went to the coast, saving it for the day promising the best weather. We lucked out—no rain, low wind, and even a peak of sun that made everything magical. When you don't see it very often, it's really special :) It was another pretty drive through the Moors with some crazy, steep, curving driveways masquerading as two-lane roads. And, of course, sheep everywhere. We visited Robin Hood's Bay again. (click on the link for the archived blog) Still beautiful, even in winter.






From there we went to Whitby. This time we took the 199 step stair master down to the city. We got to see a lot more of Whitby than when we were there in the summer—the piers, the beach, and the cliffs. Then another 199 stairs back up the hill and a drive home.








The last night we stopped at the Hole in the Wall Pub which was another cozy place with a small fireplace.


Then we woke up in the wee hours of the morning on New Year's Eve to take Stephanie and Greg to the train station. They made the plane ok despite some engineering works hiccups along the way. They know more about the London tube system than we do now :) Somehow they managed to stay conscious enough to celebrate the holiday at home.


While they were here, we saw a lot of interesting stuff. Yorkshire hunting parties with men and women in flat caps, rifles slung over their shoulders and birds dangling from their belts, dogs in tow. A temporary roadside gypsy encampment with caravans, caged chickens, scraggly tethered horses, and a menagerie of junk. And, of course, donkey rides on the beach—even in winter.

It was great seeing Stephanie and Greg. It just reminds us how much we're looking forward to being home and seeing all of our friends again.