York - 22nd/23rd May 2012

It was in the 'City' of York that I was first confident that my choice was well-founded, this was exactly the right thing that I needed. There are limited words which can even start to explain my love for this place. Encircled by a 2-mile long city wall broken at regular intervals this is a real old school 'city', hence the inverted commas. this place has no generic features of modern day bustling metropolises, this place is unique. Cobbled streets are in abundance many of which are lined with archaic buildings with weakening foundations, this was partly ruined by the amount of influence clearly exhibited by high street chains however this is an inevitable part of a 21st Century high street in Britain. Many of these would have of course replaced small, individual retailers, however this took nothing away from the character of the place since it is after all a highly subjective view of mine. 

The highlight of my visit is rather hard to specify however it would  probably be wandering around the Minster (above, beyond one of the city gates), partly because the cool interior of the establishment provided welcome solace from the humid York heat outside. But also because the decor, from the stained glass windows to the vastness of the beautifully hand-crafted ceiling were absolutely awe-inspiring. In fact the exterior walls proved just as perfectly formed, providing me with plenty of time spent simply sitting in admiration of the masterpiece. However, the construction was not out of place by any means, from the city gates, to the bridges straddling the River Ouse, and to the Shambles (left), a famously narrow, avenue of shops in which the aged foundations of the buildings have weakened to such an extent that the buildings themselves lean in such a fashion that a few in the middle came to rest just inches from those situated opposite.


As in Nottingham, Astley House, where I stayed for two nights sat roughly 20 minutes walk from the centre of York. Again it was small and basic however it served the purpose and in some ways I've grown to miss that room, with it's high ceiling, cramped shower and views of the neighbouring church opposite out the window. Although my good memories of my accommodation was partly influenced by the pleasant surprise of returning home one evening to a tiny Jack Russell puppy exploring the lobby area, who upon hearing the door opening, greeted me in the clumsily excitable way that only a puppy can.


Upon exploring the wider area, including traversing the city boundaries by using the city wall, I also came across the last remnants of the original castle of York. Clifford's Tower, is situated atop a steep, and dramatic hill which would have been one day surrounded by a deep body of water. The tower provided spectacular views of the York skyline (below) as well as the surrounding Yorkshire landscape. Although my trip to the battlements on top the castle was short-lived due to a familiar bout of vertigo or something, so I quickly descended the spiral staircase from the castle top again,


All-in-all, York was a place that I immediately fell in love with, a place that I would love to visit again and would be proud to maybe call it 'Home' one day.