26 September 2014

We called Enterprise and they can take us to the train station. I want to get to Clifford’s Tower and maybe the Castle Museum or the Georgian House. Michael is headed back to the Railway Museum with his good camera.

Clifford’s Tower is all that remains of the castle that used to be at York. The mound that it sits on is not natural, but was built. There was also a bailey at one time, but no longer. The views from the top of the wall are wonderful. Like everything else that dates to that era, it has burned and been rebuilt, more than once. One of the burnings occurred in the 12^th century. A group of Jews from York were concerned for their lives and decided to take refuge at the tower. Unfortunately, a knight betrayed them. Rather than convert, they set the tower alight and perished in the fire.

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Plan of the York Castle

Plaque commemorating the death of 150 Jews in 1190

Inside of the tower from the upper wall

I took a really quick tour of the Castle Museum, which has nothing to do with the castle. The north building consists of a series of period rooms – 1600s through Victorian times,  an area with recent historic toys, and a wonderful recreation of a Victorian street. Sort of like what we saw in Ironbridge, but indoors and with sound effects. Very well done.

Rural cottage from the 1850s

They have a few samplers - under very low light, of course. 

Victorian street - it's darker than this. 

I decided I might have just enough time to tour the Georgian House before scooting back to the hotel. The house dates to the mid-18th century. It was build by a wealthy man in hopes of attracting a husband for his daughter (he did not approve of her choice). Sadly, he passed away and she sold the house and moved to the country. In the 20^th century the house was purchased and turned into a dance hall and cinema! It survived the insult and has been restored to its original appearance.

They were able to purchase period furniture from a chocolate magnate with a passion for Georgian antiques. Unfortunately, they do not allow pictures. You will have to use your Antiques Roadshow imagination. Secretaries, chests, and chairs with beautiful carving and inlay. Beds that need steps to get into. The York art gallery is closed for repairs so they also have some nice artwork on the walls.

I hurry back to the hotel. The 15-minute drive to Enterprise takes a little over a half hour. Traffic!!! We’ve been walking and did not realize how bad the traffic is. Andrea drives us to the station so we get another view of that walls from the outside. Nice to have someone else driving for a change. The train is on time and we get a chance to enjoy the views of the countryside.

Kings Cross Station in London has a corner, over by the loos, with track 9¾ for the Harry Potter crowd. There is a line to take photos. only the second place we have had to pay to pee. 

We’re staying in Bayswater, near Paddington Station. The hotel room is tiny, but we expected that. It’s London and less than L200 a night. Every building on the street is a small hotel. We’re on the lower level – as in below street level. We find an Italian place around the corner and have pizza for dinner. Nice break from pub food. Thinking about going out to Greenwich tomorrow by boat.