York Weekend

In January, Sam and Amanda contacted us to see if we were interested in exploring York with them.  Josh and I jumped at the chance and we made our plans.  The day that we left to go up to Samanda's was Valentines Day.  The train was full of people carrying home boxes of chocolates and flowers.  We had brought up a gift for Sam and Amanda to thank them for having us along.  Unfortunately, we had news earlier that day from Amanda that Sam would not be home that night.  He was sent on a mission that was suppose to only take 24 hours, but ended up taking longer than expected.  We discussed what we were going to do the next day.  We could leave for York in the morning and if Sam got back he could catch a train, or we could wait and see what happens.  Amanda didn't really want to leave without Sam and Josh and I were happy to stay close to Chippenham on Saturday to wait and see if he would get back.  On Saturday, we ran a few errands with Amanda, Josh ate Taco Bell (which he was really excited about!) and we had lunch at La'Hogue.  Josh and I talked Amanda into visiting a local farm that was having a Lambing weekend.  It was great, there were all sorts of animals that we were allowed to feed.  Amanda got to hold a baby lamb and we saw a lamb being born!  Josh and I were in farm heaven.

Amanda holding a baby lamb, awww!

The momma sheep were very unhappy with their lambs being taken away from them...they were loud!

New twin baby lambs

The lamb we saw being born.

Ugliest pig ever!  LOL, but he really liked be fed.

A couple pygmy goats getting shelter from the rain

Amanda and I having fun on the farm!

Baby lambs!

 After our farm trip, we headed back to La'Hogue to pick up some lamb for dinner.  Those new baby lambs made us hungry!  We had dinner at home and then Samanda's friends came to visit.  We played games and drank Sam's beer...and found out that Sam would not be coming home that night.  We made plans to leave early in the morning for York, since we had already paid for our cottage.  Amanda was pretty sad that Sam wasn't going to be able to go, but what can you do?  Military life!

The high street in York.

The York Minster Cathedral, it is one of the largest in Europe

Josh and I at York Minster

Clifford's Tower in York, this is all that remains of the York castle, built by William the Conqueror. 

There was a Viking Festival going on the weekend we were in York, so we got to watch cool things like this Viking skirmish!

Inside Clifford's Tower

We've had a lot of rain this winter and a lot of the country is having problems with flooding around rivers.  This is a view of the river in York from Clifford's Tower.

Another view of York from Clifford's Tower

Josh in Clifford's Tower

 After visiting a few places in York, Amanda and I decided we wanted a proper afternoon tea.  The best place to do that in York is at Betty's.  We let Josh come too, he was a good afternoon tea date!

Proper fancy tea!

Amanda and I enjoying our tea!

An amazing selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts...all for me!

 After our afternoon tea, we had a few hours to kill before our Ghosts of York walking tour, so walked along the old city walls for a while and then found a pub to warm up.  The pubs in York were great, almost all of them had fireplaces, so warm and cozy!

We won't let Josh out of the city walls...he's in jail

The guy leading our Ghosts of York tour was hilarious!

 The next morning we went on another walking tour to get more information on the history of York.  It was entertaining, but we ended up leaving early so we could have lunch before heading back to Cambridge.

Ruins of an old church in York

An old thatched roof half timbered house in York.  

Josh having a rest on our walking tour

The courtyard of a school

A part of the old city wall, York has more miles of intact walls than any other city in England.  The walls were originally built in 71 AD.  

Amanda dropped us off in Cambridge later that day so that we could catch a train back to London.  Even though Sam wasn't able to go with us, we had a great time.  A big thanks to Amanda for taking us up to York!

R x