York

York is the second most important city in England. There has been a town there since Roman times. In fact in many places you can see where they built on top of the previous walls. The city has a very cute little downtown with lots of shopping and restaurants. Heath and I took the free tour of the city to learn some of it's history and walked the walls that still surround the city. We also visited the York Minster which is the second largest Medieval church (second only to the one in Seville). First of all it is beautiful! The stained glass is absolutely exquisite. We climbed the very steep 200 step staircase. The view is incredible! We also explored the crypt which had a really fascinating display on the various layers of the Minster. To be a called a minster the church has to have a Saxon background. There was a Roman building on this site and then a Saxon church and finally a Norman Minster. When they were doing repairs they found the remains of the previous structures and created an exhibit. You can actually see parts of each of the buildings. We also went to the York Dungeon which was recommended to us. It's like a really well done haunted house. The actors there were really fun. Lastly we had dinner at Cafe Concerto maybe the best meal we've had our whole trip! I have to add that in case anyone gets to York. You have to eat there! It was so good we ate there twice!

York Minster










Scary Staircase! They actually didn't' allow some people
up! They definitely wouldn't have let you go up in the US!


York Skyline

Goathland

One of our day trips from Whitby was to Goathland. Goathland is a tiny little town on the Yorkshire moors. More popularly known as Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter! Heath and I bought a little book on walks around Goathland and set out to see the moors. Visiting the moors was the reason we choose Yorkshire for I wanted to see the landscape that inspired the Brontes. Heath and I started our walk with a short one around the town. Our book proved to be less than acurrate as we got lost multiple times and were forced to forge our own way. The ferns and farms were beautiful though. Our second walk onto the moors proved to be more difficult. We must have missed our path right from the start and probably ended walking 8 miles roundtrip without ever reaching the roman road! In our defense the directions were– go until you've crossed two ditches, pass the second pile of rocks and go left. The moors were beautiful though. Windswept and covered by heather that was beginning to turn purple. They stretch on forever dotted by rocks and broken down stone walls. There's a very exposed and isolated feeling to them. Seeing the landscape really makes you appreciate the moors as a character. It's not hard to imagine Heathcliff riding through the empty landscape to Wuthering Heights. Heath suffered through me reciting my favorite passages to him as we waited for the bus back to Whitby!

"Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living! You said I killed you– haunt me then! The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe– I know that ghosts have wondered on earth. Be with me always– take any form– drive me mad! Only do not leave me in the abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!"

Hogsmeade




Heidi this one's for you!


A common sight


The Moors






Heather Blooming


Heath Conquers the Moors

Whitby

Heath and I traveled to Yorkshire at the beginning of last month before moving into our flat. The first place we visited was Whitby. Whitby is the quintessential English fishing village that has been partially taken over by tourism. It's fame comes partly from being the landing point for Dracula in Stoker's novel. Between fish and chips shops and curios stores you get Dracula inspired goth stores and a rather sad looking Dracula fun house. Whitby does offer a beautiful view of the sea and an amazing Abbey. Heath and I spent most of our days venturing out beyond Whitby, but we did enjoy a wonderful dinner of take away fish and chips overlooking the harbor and music at the local pub later. The fish and chips were the best we've ever had, which only serves to remind you that the best meal is made from fresh ingredients eaten in good company. Our last day we ventured up the 250 stairs to the Abbey. I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of the Abbey. It feel into disrepair after the reformation like so many of England's churches. It sits alone overlooking the harbor and creates a feeling of utter tranquility. I had a very hard time leaving for I could have sat there for hours. Do to this we almost missed our train to York causing Heath much anxiety!

Whitby

Whitby Harbor


Yummy Fish and Chips!


Whitby Abbey