A sunny Sunday November day in York can only be described with one word - glorious. Determined to make the most of our final day in the city we left our flat and paused to admire the view of the River Ouse and the Low Ousegate bridge.
We crossed Skeldergate Bridge and passed this cafe that utilizes the interior of the original toll-house. It's riverside setting makes for a relaxed and scenic morning coffee.
Next stop was Clifford's Tower.
The present stone tower was built 1245-72, and this is how it may have looked back then.
This is what remains of it today.
The climb up the narrow stone spiral staircase to the top is a little claustrophobic, but well worth it. The views are breathtaking.
Turning around and facing the opposite direction from where I took the pic of John above is the York Castle Museum.
One snapshot I didn't include in my last post (but wanted to because it makes me smile) was taken in the York Castle Museum exercise yard. Can you guess why?
Next stop was the third of York's bridges, Lendal, and once again the toll-house has been transformed into a cafe. Notice the birds perched on each of the turrets.
The Museum Gardens surrounds the Yorkshire Museum seen on the right with the ruins of St. Mary's Abbey on the left.
The garden wall below right is made from either discarded roman columns or stones from the abbey. How's that for recycling?
Walking through the garden to Marygate Street we happened upon St. Olave's Church. It was founded before 1055.
I especially loved the little flower baskets that lined the stairs leading from the sidewalk to the entrance seen in the photo above.
St. Olave's is outside the city walls and following suite we walked along Marygate Street to see where it leads. Eventually we reach Boothham Bar and the wall.
Wanting to explore further we turned left at the stoplight rather than re-enter the city centre. A short distance along Gillygate Street we spotted the Gillygate Pub and surprise, surprise stopped for a Guinness and Sunday Roast (beef slathered in gravy with baked potatoes, carrots, broccoli and Yorkshire pudding). Sorry we didn't snap a photo, but it was one of my favourite meals so far.
If we'd stayed in the pub for much longer John would have curled up in a ball and nodded off, so we continued exploring the city instead. Re-entering via Monk Bar we were pleased to see Holy Trinity Church was open for visitors. What was especially endearing about this particular church was the only source of lighting was candle.
It was also a welcome respite from the crowds of shoppers in the Shambles.
Many of whom (like us) visited the St. Nicholas Fayre.
Glorious, glorious York. We can't wait to return!
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