Jack sez: Left Edinburgh early for short train ride to York. Got assist in Edinburgh by hotel porter who went to train with us as arranged with concierge. He was very helpful but station personnel were rather indifferent. We could have used more assistance. Here and other places they seem to take attitude that they know when/where to go for train. No reason to share that with dolt on a scooter.
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The Royal York Hotel is literally in the train station. Walk around corner from platforms and you are at the back door. Not easily accessible. Very old hotel but nice. Some renovation. Got settled and decided to just walk out on our own. The train museum was right next door so did that. Really, really good. The largest one in Europe or the world or something. All of these royal train cars, etc. Enjoyed that. Then walked to the old town but too late for the York Minster. Found a great little bistro for dinner. I had baked fish and jack had beef yorkshire pudding. Huge servings of veggies.
JACK SEZ: (big flat "pudding" bowl filled with stew). Probably invented by Vietnamese chef. Very good.
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May 22 Went back to York Minster. It is just phenomenal. The museum underneath is mind blowing. Constantine was made emperor of Roman empire on the site when it was a Roman outpost, Vikings there, etc. etc. In addition to the cathedral itself. Beautiful, beautiful. Rainy so we headed to what we thought was another museum but it was the library. Jack waited in cafe while I roamed streets for new watch. Loved it here. Would also come back to spend more time.
JACK SEZ: York Minister among highest rated medieval buildings and largest cathedrals in Europe. The new excavations add a lot to understanding. In the modern vein of advertising/name recognition; I have decided that the best investment is to die in 1700's get buried in Cathedral and enjoy advertising for 6 or 7 hundred years. No idea what contribution gets you in, but still big value. I noticed a couple little "altars," really shelves in the museum underneath that were donated as late as '80s. No docent seemed to have any idea how that family pulled it off, but I am sure the collection box was part of the process.
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Then to hotel to pick up bags and onto train. I had gone over the day before to confirm the assistance needed for the rest of the trip. Didn't matter. Rudest anywhere was at the York station in terms of helping. And it was, as we expected, a busy train because it is so close to London. But we made it. I would come back to York without hesitation. Short ride to London's Kings Crossing Station.
JACK SEZ: Only minutes to train time (& they don't linger in station) but person who was to assist us to train had not appeared despite repeated promises he was on his way. I finally parked in front of desk of person who appeared in charge. He simple said help was on its way. Then continued chat with staff member hanging out. I sensed it was some internal spat. Asked what track? Turned out to be 100 feet away. So I said, "Any reason we can't go there ourselves." Answer, "No." No apology, no explanation. On the platform, you have to board cars for your destination. Ours proved to be almost farthest. We waited there. Couple minutes before train arrived, guy came trundling the ramp needed for me. Although I was obviously the only one it was for, he made no contact with me, just waited for train. Think there is some kind of game between station personnel and train staff. There is a ramp on every train but sometimes station brings ramp. Maybe station has to provide ramp to board and train uses theirs for exit. Always seems to a bit of mystery.
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