York by Boat and Bus.

This flooding was what greeted us in the camp this morning.

Yesterday was a very wet disaster causing a book, cards and crossword day. It wasn’t worth venturing out because we would have got soaked by the time we reached the bus stop let alone wandering around the city.

Gert and Henry's pub near The Shambles, York.

The Shambles.

York Minster.

Today was a slight improvement with only light showers so it was off to the bus stop. Arriving in town we had a quick wander around to get our bearings and found ourselves down by the River Ouse. We purchased two combined boat and bus tour tickets and within minutes were on board a trip boat. The skipper/guide drew our attention to the flood gates outside both commercial and residential properties along the river. These gates were at least 15 to 20 feet above the river level and they have been used within the last 10 years. He pointed out a pub called the Kings Arms where he recalled his father having to wear his wellies (gumboots) to go for a pint as it had been flooded and was full of mud. Health and safety would have something to say about it these days.

Guy Fawkes was born here.

A human statue in York.

Clifford Tower at the York Castle Museum.

The skipper also commented on the fact that York has so much buried beneath your feet. He recalled a TV programme which was at a house he had lived in as a child. Excavations in the back yard revealed headless skeletons which they have now suggested were Roman Gladiators who died in the sports arena. When the latest Sainsbury supermarket was built they uncovered more skeletons which it turns out was a Jewish cemetery. Rabbi’s and clerics were bought in to perform ceremonies and consecrate the area leaving everything as it was before building commenced.

Scene's along the River Ouse. The Bonding Warehouse is up for re-development.

Scene's along the River Ouse.

Residences alongside the River Ouse. The grey gates are flood gates and they have been used recently.

After returning to dry land we took the open top tour bus for a complete circuit by which time it was time for lunch and I knew a good cafe near where we had alighted from the bus. Yes, another unplanned visit (yeah right) to the National Railway Museum  was about to unfold including lunch. No trip to York is complete without a visit to this museum, in my eyes anyway. Due to extensive renovations only the Great Hall, Warehouse and the Works were open. The remainder were due to re-open at the end of the month. There were a few changes in the Great Hall including the cafe which was on the Station Hall platform last time I was here.

Scene's along the River Ouse. The rivers Ouse and Foss join here. The lift bridge has to be wound up and down by hand.

The Lendle Bridge over the River Ouse in the centre of York.

Scene's along the River Ouse.

My last visit to the Works saw the Flying Scotsman stripped right down to the chassis for a major overhaul. Today it was Southern  Railways Merchant Navy class “Winston Churchill” for a cosmetic makeover as all her outside cladding was looking like she had just come through a bombing raid, not a straight panel to be seen. Outside in the live steam bay was LMS/BR 5P class “The Lancashire Fusilier” being prepared for what I presume was a live steam tour return journey as they had fitted the head board “The Flying Scotsman”. My last visit saw the newest steam loco “Tornado” in the steam bay undergoing repairs.

Guess Who? National Railway Museum.

Steam Locomotive name plates.  What can we say.

.7mm model railway. Don’t know if that name’s quite right.  but it looks good.

Time flew by too quickly as it always seems to do in establishments such as the NRM and it was time to head into town for a bit of shopping and then find the bus home.