Day 23 - Tuesday 01/09/2013 Goodbye York, Hello London

We extended our stay in York for one night, so that MOH could enjoy his train trip without the crowds expected on the weekend. The Travelodge was able to accommodate us again, and even rearranged some other bookings, so that we could stay in the same room. This was great, until the receptionist decided to try to come into our room at 11:30pm, demanding payment. We were asleep because we wanted to leave early in the morning, and didn't appreciate being woken up this way. The door was bolted, so the receptionist closed it again and then knocked on the door. MOH had to get dressed and go to reception to pay for the extra nights stay. We wanted to pay cash, but he insisted that he verify our credit card details and pay that way - more fees. Not happy, Jan!!!

Inside Sherlock Holmes shop

We had a smooth drive to London on the M1, found Heathrow and the car hire place without too much trouble, and returned the car. Then we were driven to Heathrow in the courtesy bus, caught the train to Paddington station, and walked a few blocks to our hotel.

Sherlock Holmes shop

We took a long walk to the Sherlock Holmes museum and souvenir shop - MOH is a fan - and then on to Marble Arch and Hyde Park.

Outside 221B Baker Street, London

Mirka and Wiesiek are back in London now, and want to catch up before we go home, so, after a few calls back and forth, we take the train to meet Mirka, and then a short bus ride to her home.

Marble Arch, London

We say we are only coming for a coffee, and that's how it seems initially, but then the food started coming out, and Wiesiek wanted to have a few shots of vodka with MOH. We shared photos of our trip with them, saw Kamila, Darek and Olga via Skype and MOH spoke to Ciocia on the phone.

Hyde Park, London

We had a wonderful visit, and then had to say our sad goodbyes, and return to our hotel. We have been invited to their son Damien's wedding at some time in the future. We'll have to start saving again!

 

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Day 22 - Monday 30/09/2013 Train to Whitby

This is one of MOH's favourite days - we are going on a steam train to Whitby. He is very anxious to get there early, and starts pacing up and down, huffing and puffing and organising us. We remind him that we are actually on holidays, and that we have plenty of time, but he definitely has a bee in his bonnet this morning.

The diesel engine

The steam engine being coupled

We drove to Pickering which is the first station, and is not a long drive from York. Today we will ahve a diesel engine for two thirds of the trip, and then a steam engine will be attached for the remainder if the trip.

Views along the way

MOH is totally enthralled, I just want to sit back and enjoy the trip, and STS is grumpy because of the early start. The steam engine definitely provides a more interesting experience, with all the steam and toot-tooting.

Views of Whitby

Abbey in background

We buy lunch - fish and chips, of course - from the famous Magpie Cafe, and ate it on the pier - delicious!

Magpie Cafe

We walked along the pier, which would be dangerous in rough weather, and then clambered up the steps to see the Captain Cook monument. This is the place where his ships were built.

Captain Cook statue

It was interesting, walking through the streets and shops, and we saw the swing bridge in operation. We couldn't resist a walk across the bridge ourselves, after it had closed again. STS has been grumpy all day, and just wanted to play electronic games. I later hear that he HAS been enjoying the trip - who knew??

The swing bridge, Weak Bridge, open

MOH is totally agog. On our return trip, he has spent a lot of time with his head out the window of the train, looking at the engine and the scenery. One of the stations along the way was used in the Harry Potter films, as the backdrop for Hogmeade's. This is also the train line used in Heartbeat, All Creatures Great and Small, and numerous films. I took lots of photos and thoroughly enjoyed the day. If we had time we would have spent more time there, particularly walking up to the Abbey, and along the beach.

View from train, on return trip

I fell asleep on the trip back, but loved the experience - very picturesque and interesting.

MOH has had some difficulty with the roundabouts here and missed the turn-off again!

 

 

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Day 21 - Sunday 29/09/2013 Derbyshire

We drove to York for some last looks, and pictures of Diagon Alley, oops, sorry, the Shambles, and bought a few more supplies and souvenirs, then headed off for our drive around Derbyshire and the Peak District.

Derbyshire views

The Peak District

We stopped at Bakewell for a look around. MOH is not enjoying driving along the narrow roads, particularly when cars are parked on the side of the road, necessitating driving down the middle of the road with oncoming traffic.

MOH's favourite narrow roads

Despite this, we saw some spectacular views, and had a pleasant drive. We got lost on our return trip, and almost ended up in Stockport and Manchester.

Bakewell, Derbyshire

Naturally, MOH found a golf course

We eventually found our way back, and enjoyed the sights along the way.

Views, Peak District

 

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Day 20 - Saturday 28/09/2013 Clifford's Tower and York Castle Museum

The weather on England, or at least York, has been brilliant. Perfect for walking around and exploring. We had another full day in York - there is so much to do amd see. We had breakfast, and then caught the bus in to York. Our first port of call was Clifford's Tower. It's obviously very old, and the walls have a slight slant on them which seems to have a strange effect on the men in my life.

Clifford's Tower, York

View down inside the tower

First my Dad, in 2008, and now MOH. They seem to think that it's unsafe and could collapse at any moment, and hold on for dear life. My assurances that we wouldn't be allowed to walk around the top of tthe tower if it was unsafe, and suggestion that holding on to the railing wasn't going to help if it did collapse, fell on deaf ears. Needless to say, STS and I had an enjoyable time at MOH's expense. Sorry MOH.

Narrow, spiral staircase inside the Tower

Inside the small chapel, half way up

View of York from the tower

The York Castle Museum, across the way was great. Lots of interactive displays, and I particularly enjoyed the Victorian street, with it's various shops. There are shop keepers who interact with you, and now you can walk in behind the shops, to see and hear life as it was in the 1800's.

The Victorian street

One of the shop windows

The experience changes as night falls, and the upstairs candle lights come on, and then it rains - or at least it sounds like it is. We learnt more about dick Turpin, who was a notorious character, and spent time in the original jail which houses the museum now.

One of the characters telling her story in the jail

By this time we are hungry, so we walk around the wall to the Fish and Chip Shop that I went to last time with my Dad. He had also been there on a previous visit. We walked around the wall further until we found somewhere to sit and enjoy our meal. In fact my STS is enjoying his fish and chips nearly every day so far, in York.

View from the Fish and Chip shop

We walked off some of our lunch with some more brousing of shops, the market, and of course the Shambles again. I found an interesting button shop. We caught the bus back to our accommodation for a meal and some down time. I also had an opportunity to catch up on some clothes washing.

The Shambles, York

 

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Day 19 - Friday 27/09/2013 York

We had a cooked English breakfast, yum, and then caught the bus to York - it's only a 10 minute journey usually, but due to roadworks, we take a different, slightly longer route.

The Shambles, York

So many things to do and see that we don't know where to start. At the moment there is the York Food and Drink Festival, so we wander through the stalls, looking at the local produce. I buy a small pork pie - something I've always wanted to try, and will eat it later. There are lots of tempting foods including Arbroath smokies, Scottish salmon, huge hog roasts, Wensleydale cheese amongst others, Yorkshire sausages (more than a foot long), fudge and cupcakes, wines and beers, etc. etc. etc. lots of tempting aromas.

The York Minster - part thereof

The market led us to my favourite part of York, the Shambles. We scour the shops, looking for a particular duck ornament, without success unfortunately, but enjoyed the shops and atmosphere along he way.

York Minster from Starbuck's

STS enjoys a milkshake at a chocolate shop, and we continue on to the York Minster. Still an impressive structure, but it's difficult to get it all in a photo!

Stonegate, close to the teddy bear shop

A coffee and hot chocolate at Starbuck's gave me a toilet opportunity. There are not many decent public toilets in York - my only grumble.

Interesting buildings, York

Down the road I found a teddy bear shop, and bought a Merrythought teddy - to keep my Steiff company on the way home. I asked if they would be interested in looking at my bears, with a view to selling them in their shop, and they suggested I contact them with more information, and go from there. This could be a good opportunity for me.

On the Roman wall

Our next stop is the sportswear shop, but unfortunately they don't keep any West Ham shirts (for FTS - first teenage son). Apparently we are too far north for London teams, although they did have Chelsea and Arsenal shirts. We'll have to look elsewhere.

Up and down the steps

Sausage rolls for lunch - 4 for a pound - and then to the Yorvik viking centre. It's an interesting display and lots of fascinating information that has been gleaned from the remains that have been unearthed.

We had another look at the markets, and headed to the roman wall for a walk along the top.

View near our bus stop

My feet are playing up again, so we catch the bus back to the hotel, have a nice meal, and a wine or two, at the pub, and then back to our room for some blogging.

MOH sends a message to his brother - GO HAWKS! for Saturday. We're trying to find out how he will be able to watch the game, which will be at about 6:00am local time.

Since writing this post we have found out from MOH's brother, that Hawthorn actually won the AFL Grand Final for 2013!

Bloody Ripper! - from MOH

 

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Day18 - Thursday 26/09/2013 Leaving Berlin

An early start today - breakfast, pack suitcases, visit to ATM (at last we can use our euro), taxi to Tegel airport, and fly to London. It seems our tickets are still valid, unlike previous advice. It's raining again today.

Somehow 'we' have misplaced our tickets, but I have the email on the iPad, and this will suffice - thank heavens! Also, this is the first time I have passed through the metal detectors without a query or search of any kind. This makes a nice change!!! The whole process is stressful enough without being treated like a terrorist.

At Heathrow, we get our passports stamped again, hooray, collect our luggage, catch the courtesy bus around to the car rental terminal, and after some messing around, loaded up our car, and drove up the M1 to York.

After settling in to our room, we enjoy a counter meal at the adjoining pub, and have an early night, in anticipation of a big day in York tomorrow.

No photo opportunities today - too busy getting organised and navigating.

 

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Day 17 - Wednesday 25/09/2013 Discovering Berlin

There's no rain today - perfect for sightseeing and shopping. We buy a few souvenirs along Kurfurstendamm, come back to the hotel to check-in for our flights tomorrow, and then go to the train station for a trip to Alexanderplatz.

View of Berlin from Tower

Our first port of call is the Berliner Fernsehturm tower. There is a 360 degree view of Berlin, quite impressive. The views would also be impressive at night, with all the lights. Next we go shopping at the Galeria Kaufhof. They have a very cute Steiff bear sitting in a suitcase at a reduced price - right up my alley! Thanks for the tip, Audrey.

The card got a good workout there, and MOH says you're in big trouble when he gets back to work. Outside, they are setting up stalls for the Oktoberfest. Looks like fun, but we are leaving tomorrow.

View of Berlin from Tower

The Berliner tower, Alexanderplatz

From here we take the train back a few stations to get a closer look at the Brandenburg Gate. There are barriers and grandstands being erected along the main boulevard through the Tiergarten, so we can't get closeup pictures of the Victory Column.

We get some pictures of the Gate and continue walking back towards Alexanderplatz. There weren't too many people there, but when we moved aside to make room for a person in a wheelchair, I stepped on uneven paving and collapsed. In an effort to save the iPad, I injured my wrist, and one fingernail was bent in half and standing at a right angle to my finger.

Brandenburg Gate

Entrance to Galeria Kaufhof

Nothing appears broken, but I know my wrist is sprained. I purchase a wrist brace and analgesic cream from the Apotheke (chemist) and we head home, to the hotel, to get some ice. STS is worried that he will be called upon to assist with clothes changing, toileting and showering, now that I am one-handed. Only joking, STS!!

Setting up for Oktoberfest

Carousel at Oktoberfest

 

My new Steiff teddy bear

 

My new Steiff teddy bear

 

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