Care Package!!

This box of fabulous starch items arrived yesterday thanks to my sister, Catherine!! There is a huge variety of starchy foods available in Scotland (baguettes, croissants, scones, digestive biscuits, chips, crisps -- more on some of these later), but the boys had a few favorites we could not find. So, they are now set for a while! Thank you Cath, you are the best sister and aunt!

Train Museum and Train Ride Home

Sunday was our final half-day in York -- we hit the National Railway Museum.

The museum had thousands of train-related items displayed floor to ceiling. Our favorite was this umbrella head in the shape of a devil that was left on a train and ended up in the Lost Property.

On our way to the train station, we stopped into this old-fashioned candy store, which was very cute. The boys got a bunch of hard candy, including some sour candy that they couldn't eat it was too sour.

the boys' selection of sweets

We loved traveling by train -- it's so easy and comfortable.

Plus, look at these views out the window!

So it's back to Glasgow and our regular life (oh wait, next visitor arrives Friday!).

Building Art in York

One of the many things we loved about York was the sculptures and crests on the buildings. If you checked in all directions, you found lots of cool things. Here are some of our favorites.

The Final Days of York (for us, at least)

We started our last full day in York with an attempt to tour the Treasurer's House, but didn't have enough time for a full tour. Instead we went on the cellar ghost tour, where a guide told us about a number of people who had seen a Roman army marching through part of the cellar that had once been a Roman road. We found the name of the hardhat company funny, considering the topic of the tour.

We met up with a family who are living in York because the husband, a basoonist, is also on a Fulbright and Liam met him at a conference here, and with Andy again! We all went to the Castle Museum, which I mistakenly thought was about castles. Instead it was a social history museum, spanning England's civil war, the 60s, life in 18th century prisons (which the building used to be), a Victorian street, costumes and toys from different times, and more.

playing in the old prison yard

After a walk through this cool garden near their house, we admired their cute, English cottage and enjoyed a delicious pasta meal. It was great to spend the day with new friends (and Andy!).

York Continued

York continues to delight us with its charm and sights. Yesterday, we had a packed day of visiting attractions and churches and hanging out with Andy. We started our day by visiting the Jorvik, Viking Center. York was once a Viking town, so there has been much archaeological study done here. The Viking Center included lots of artifacts and a tour of a recreated Viking village including talking, life-size figures who told you tidbits about their lives in Viking language, luckily translated for us.

just a recreation of a helmet found buried in the ground, but still pretty impressive

chocolate animals -- the boys really liked these badgers

Minerva, goddess of wisdom leaning on a pile of books

After a quick lunch, we headed off to see the Minster, York's Cathedral, which one of Europe's greatest Gothic cathedrals, as you can tell from the exterior.

Many amazing stained glass windows

We climbed the tower at the Minister, which was a feat only for people who don't mind many stairs, tight spaces, and heights. The top was odd, completely caged in with wire (along the walls and over head) -- great views but felt a little like being in a prison yard (not that I have been in one).

gargoyles -- love the one sticking out his tongue

view from the top

view of the Deanery with the Poke ball garden

Declan descends the extremely steep and tight stairs -- 279!

Then, we met up with Andy!

We had some tea and scones in this hidden away place, Gray's Court, where you sit on couches -- very comfy.

This gate is from 71 AD!Andy took us on walk through the city streets and down by the river.

Andy went home to work on a paper due on Sunday. Liam and I attended Evensong at the Minister, where there was a beautiful choir singing the hymns, songs, and prayers -- very peaceful to hear the sweet voices in a spectacular place. The boys opted to rest at the B&B before we went out to a Chinese buffet dinner. Although there was the usual fried options, there were actually vegetable dishes, like broccoli in garlic sauce, sauteed greens, spicy parsnips (traditional to China?) and crispy kale (which they labeled as both seaweed and cabbage, but I didn't care because I knew it was kale and was happy!).

As you can see, a very full day with more to come today!

York, the Medieval City

Yesterday, we departed for a trip to York, England. Liam was asked to give a lecture at the university and my cousin, Andy, is going to college here, so we thought it seemed like a good long weekend destination. Luci and Lee took the train with us as far as Edinburgh, then we had to say good-bye. We had a great time with them!!

The train station in Glasgow

After checking into our B&B, we walked around the old part of the city which had fun shops to poke into (Declan bought a wooden Roman sword), a farmers/flea market to scope out, and cute streets to wander down. Liam was off giving his lecture at the University, and we didn't quite connect with Andy, so we'll see him tomorrow.

An example of the amazing architecture

Signs of spring in the Museum Gardens

The medieval walls, where there was some simulated sword battle

The boys and I ended the day with a delicious Thai dinner at Thida Thai, where the food was great but according to Cormac and Declan the portions were a little too small (hard to fill up tweens and teens). Today, after an English breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, and toast (maybe that will fill them), we're off to check out the Viking and archaeological attractions.