Our journey to York ran smoothly despite experiencing some erratic drivers along the various motorways. When it was time for lunch we stopped at Woodall services with its never endimg walkway to reach Waitrose on the opposite side of the road. In Waitrose we picked up sandwiches for our in-car picnic.

Comfortably replete we continued our journey to York where we parked in the hotel car park and checked in before heading into York. We visited Cliffords Tower which has recently undergone some changes that allow visitors more open access to the tower. The transformation is amazing and I would recommend the Tower to anyone who visits York. After the lofty heights of the Tower we visited the nearby York Army Museum which displays the history of both the Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire and the Royal Dragoon Guards in joint chronological order.

It was now time for afternoon refreshments so we stopped off at Fenwick’s where I chose Elderflower Presse and refrained from indulging in one of the ‘naughty cakes’.

By the time we got back to the hotel our room was ready so we collected the key and unloaded our car. The room was fantastic and there were several complimentary drinks, including a bottle of wine, for us to enjoy during our stay.

We had plenty of time to chill out in our gorgeous room before it was time to dine in the Olive Tree which is situated next to Clifford’s Tower. There had been an incident earlier in the evening which meant that part of the restaurant had been taped off until the police arrived to access the situation. The service was good and our meals were enjoyable but not gourmet.

After dining we headed back towards the hotel expecting to stop off at a pub along the way. Unfortunately all the famous pubs had bouncers on the door which wasn’t very inviting so we settled on a pub nearer to the hotel. I found a seat, not very comfortable, whilst Mr C ordered drinks at the bar. Some time later Mr C came back without drinks… The service was too slow.

We found a pub that was almost next door to the hotel. The comfortable laid back atmosphere was wonderful.

Gene Amole

A 28 year old man, Lucius Duccius Rufinus, from Viennes in France died in Eboracum after a career as the standard bearer for the Ninth Legion. The soldier carrying the standard of the legion would have been a central target for the enemy.*

The army had its own specialist craftsmen. Tilers made floor and roof tiles stamped with the legion’s name and number. This one was fired in the legionary tilery next to the River Foss. Marked with LEG IX it was made by the Ninth Legion.*

Greek-inspired patterns and the spirits of the seasons decorated the floor of a large Eboracum residence. Although many other mosaics were discovered on the floors of this grand house, only this one survives.*

Even in small towns such as Catterick in North Yorkshire, influential artists and craftsmen provide the latest wall designs for their homes.*

* Information from sign boards next to the exhibits

Flecks of red, blue and gold paint cling to the grooves in this colourful sculpture depicting the Holy Trinity. York’s craftspeople chose the finest materials to ensure the crispest of finishes. The quality of the alabaster used has helped to preserve the original colour. The two richly dressed benefactors show at the bottom of the scene may have paid for the altarpiece to be constructed.*

*from an information board next to the altarpiece

Hadrian spent more time the provinces of the Empire than in Rome. Many of their names still survive today. Travellers throughout the Empire used a vast network of roads and rivers to move around. A legion could march 25 miles a day. A horse-drawn cart could travel 40 miles in a day. Using a relay of men and horses the official postal service could cover 500 miles in 24 hours.

Britain, the largest of the islands which Roman geography includes, is so situated that it faces Germany on the east, Spain on the west; on the south it is even within sight of Gaul; its northern extremities, which have no shores opposite to them, are beaten by the waves of vast open sea. Round these coasts of remotest ocean the Roman fleet then for then for the first time sailed, ascertained that Britain is an island.

Limestone statues from St. Mary’s Abbey, York; Moses, Unknow Apostle, St. James and St. John the Evangelist.

These larger than life statues were placed above the west entrance to the abbey church at St. Mary’s to awe and inspire visitors. Beautifully crafted and painted they are the finest surviving example of eleventh century sculpture in the country. The statues were discovered by Reverend Charles Wellbeloved in 1827. They had been unceremoniously laid face down in the ground as foundations stones when the church was later rebuilt.*

*From and information board next to the statues