THE 39 STEPS

OK so its got nothing to do with John Buchan and there were an awful LOT MORE than 39 steps!!!!

Another lovely day.  Bright and sunny again this morning, breezier but not too bad.  We've also discovered that the reasons there are no boat trips on the River Ouse is because it is way too high, you would't get the boats under some of the bridges and definitely not able to moor at the landing sites.  This is because it was so wet  here last week - so we've been extremely lucky so far.   

We decided we wanted to walk the City Walls today so we started off at Lendal Bridge, because it's not far from the Railway Station and we knew we could get a bus there.  

It was a nice walk but SOOOO MANY STEPS.  Unlike Chester the walls are not complete so you often have to come off, walk along the road, over bridges etc to catch up with the walls again.  

We stopped of the Henry VIII Experience - which is a small museum in one of the towers.  Again that magic word TOWERS - sooo many steps and they suggest you start the experience by going up to the top first - PHEWWW.  Up there beside a tudor tent and some dressing up clothes - meant for children, but it would be rude not to give it a go wouldn't it and I am my Mummy's child!!!!!

It was interesting, some artefacts but mostly historical information.

We the carried on our walk.  After a while we came off the wall at Skeldergate Bridge (I think that's the right one) and in one the towers there was a cafe, so we stopped for coffee and homemade french brioche with wild berries and vanilla mascaropone (scrummy).  

Of course being in a tower we had more steps to climb.  We decided not to sit out on the terrace but up in the tower in a small room called "The River Room".  Of course I  had to climb up even further because there was another tower room  and had to climb down to place the order and then back up again to our seat!!!  Well worth it though - it was brilliant.

After our break we continued with our walk.  Just after the bridge you come along Clifford Tower (the photo on the left), which was also York Castle.  We  did climb up all those steps, but once at the top and taking in the views we decided not to pay to go in and do yet more climbing up the tower - will have to make another visit to do that!!

We then continued on our walk.  Came off again and went through an area where there shops like B&Q etc.  Re-joined the walk. Back beginning to hurt by now, but we continued.  

IIt then just started to rain, only a few spits and spots again, then we came along the Richard III experience and yep you've guessed it in another tower - this one taller and more steps than the Henry VIII one.  But as we had paid whilst at the Henry VIII one to go into both (due to a good discount) we did it.  Interesting again.  No dressing up this time but I did make use of the cushions and seats on the top floor.  When we left the rain had stopped.

We then continued our walk.  The photo on the right is me, just after the Richard III experience leaning over to get a rest because there were yet MORE STEPS.  This was the best part of the walk as it took you round the back of The Minster and some posh hotels so you got lovely and different views.

We finished the walk really in the Bootham Bar Tower.  We then stopped in the city for a very light lunch, walked back over the bridge.  I decided to climb down yet more steps to take some photos and found "Dame Judy Dench Walk" - didn't know about that before.  I could see how high the river was from down there they came  up well beyond the steps and access to the moorings.

Then caught the bus back.

PHEW - am shatterred.  I know I'm very unfit but it was all those steps that did - I've never been good at walking up, down is fine but up - NO WAY!!!

I'm glad we did but anyone wanting to go, unless you want to do the whole thing, the only part with nice views really is the stop off at Clifford Tower and then the area between Monks Bar and Bootham Bar.

A nice quiet night in as I can't face another walk to the pub.  If it's not raining we may treat ourselves to a meal out tomorrow at the local pub the Fox and Roman.

Thanks for dropping by.  I'm just a day behind on your blips so I will catch up on those.  I thank you so much for your comments, I haven't been replying to those as I'm on holiday and don't really have a lot of time - funny that huh!!!

PS:  It says the walk only takes about 2 hours, it took us all day, but then we did have many stop offs in towers and cafes, so just doing the walk without all these distractions would be about right - I loved the distractions.

Take care, see you all tomorrow.

York City Walls
Clifford Tower
Henry VIII and Richard III
Dyls Cafe York