Trains and fortified walls*

Hi Everyone!
Today I took the train for the first time. It's a little more complicated than the tube, but I think I've figured it out.

Artistic photo of the train platforms at King's Cross Station. There are four tracks, two on each side of a wide cement island. There is a sleek silver train with 6 cars visible on the farthest right track. An arched glass ceiling covers the entire platform area. There is bright morning sunlight, and several digital clocks read 9:18 am.

Of course I had to stop at Platform 9 3/4 for a photo!

Author posing with a luggage trolley loaded with two brown trunk suitcases and circular birdcage containing a realistic white owl. Half of the luggage trolley and the birdcage are non-existent to create the illusion that the trolly is disappearing into the tan brick wall behind it. The author is wearing a dark blue and gray striped scarf that is trailing in the air behind her, adding to the illusion that she is running while pushing the luggage trolley into the wall. A sign above the luggage trolley reads Platform nine and three-quarters.

York is super windy and cold! Just when I was sad that I hadn't seen cold weather and rain in London! I walked along the York wall, sections of which date back to the Roman Empire, and others date back to Medieval times when they protected the city from invading armies.

A selfie of the author posing next to a gray, medieval brick wall. The sky behind the wall is gray and cloudy becaus it has just rained. The author is wearing an olive green rain jacket, and her hair is sticking out of her braids from being blown about by the wind.
A selfie along the York Wall




Artistic photo of the city of York, England. On the right side of the photograph is the city. The gothic style Yorkminster cathedral is the prominent feature, surrounded by smaller red brick buildings and a narrow street which is wet from rain. On the left side of the photograph is a medieval stone wall atop a grass covered hill. The wall draws the eye toward the Yorkminster Cathedral.
The York wall leading into the city


I went to the York Minster cathedral, where a massive conservation/restoration project is going on to repair the center stained glass window. The window is over 600 years old, and previous restorations have caused unforseen damages. As much as I loved Westminster Abbey, I think I prefer the simpler elegance of the York Minster.

Exterior of the Yorkminster Cathedral in the afternoon. The gothic style cathedral has two square towers topped with multiple tiny spires. A large, pointed arch shaped stained glass window is in the center of the cathedral. The thin ribbons of stonework holding the window in place create a heart shape. The cathedral is a golden tan color in the evening sun, and a large leafless tree is visible in front of the cathedral on the right side.

Interior of the Yorkminster cathedral. Five narrow arched stain glass windows are on the right, and several layers of stone arches are on the left. The vaulted ceiling has narrow white ribs arranged in a diamond pattern with a gold flowers placed where the ribs intersect.


I stayed for the Sunday evensong service, where I sat next to the choir in the extra choir stalls, and it was lovely. The music reminded me of one of my favorite choral composers, John Rutter.

Artistic photo of the choir area and pipe organ in the Yorkminster Cathedral. The pipe organ is in the center of the photo, and is housed in a intricately carved dark wooden cabinet above an arched doorway. The intricately carved dark wood continues below and to each side of the organ, forming three walls which are lit by several small spotlights giving the walls a golden glow. Infront of the walls are carved wooden stall like pews with red cushions arranged to face each other leaving an isle in the middle. The floor of the isle is decorated with white and black tiles that create a linear geometric pattern. The white stone archways are visible behind the dark wood walls creating contrast.

I wandered around the city for the rest of the afternoon. I found the smallest street in York. It happens to have the longest name. I'm still not sure how to pronounce it, but it can't be more than 30 feet long.

Author sitting on a low stone wall aproximately 20 feet long. A street sign on the wall reads "whip-ma-whop-ma gate". A small stone chapel is visible in the background.

I saw an amazing sunset as I was walking back to my hostel for the evening.

Artistic photo of a river at sunset. The river is flanked by shadowy trees, and a stone path. The direction of the river draws the eye toward the setting sun, which is barely visible above the horizon line

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