The big race

Our final day of our first stint in York, we all took part in the York 10K - with me, Simon and Nick running 10K and Bluet, Ilona, Della and Gus running 5K. A fun time was had by all, I think. Especially once we had our medals. The adult's race featured a run through the streets of York and past the minster, which was pretty cool (although at 22C, the weather was too hot to enjoy properly).

And afterwards we had the traditional once yearly fish and chips.

York excursions - a trip to the UK part 2

Our first full day in York, we set out to explore the city

Here are the kids looking at the most gross piece of water in the city

At York Minster; the mirror can be used to look at the ceiling (including the Blue Peter Busses). Or to pull funny faces and look at yourself

Later we visited the Arts Barge, where the cousins were entertained for an hour making their own books

We also walked around the castle walls, and we (the adults) had a discussion about the use of boiling oil in olden times.

A trip to the UK - part I

July 31st 2019, Bluet, Ilona and I started our 2 week excursion to the UK. First stop, Newark airport (Emily drove us through a raging storm to get there on time). Here are the girls feasting on Pizza

One (3 hour delayed) 6h flight later (they loaded up on extra fuel so they could go fast, and flew in almost a straight line across the atlantic)...and we were on the Trans Pennine Express (which is actually quite slow, and expensive), next stop York!

Arriving in York, Bluet and Ilona were thrilled to see their cousins Della and Gus again. An afternoon playing in the garden followed, one of many to come!

New Year New Accent

And when we returned from York we discovered that Ilona had picked up a northern accent:

York Travel Guide

York has many attractions and entertainments available for the discerning visitor - notably the railway museum, which sadly we missed this year, the tiny record shop. Also, there is a lot of history, seeing as it was the capital of Britain in Viking and Roman times. So for entertainments for the kids, we visited several of York's finest museums. Here they are.

First the castle museum, built in some old prisons on the site of some old castle or other. It has lots of rooms done up like the past (including a 1980s kitchen, with the kind of cupboards everyone had), and most excitingly, an entire victorian street recreated indoors.



In the olden days children could be thrown in prison if they refused to be seen and not heard.



An olden days school


Then there is the Yorkshire museum, which has a lot of history. Here the kids can be seen enjoying the history, including walking on a genuine Roman mosaic floor



Then there is this one called the dig where you can pretend to be an archaeologist - here they are digging up some bones. You also get to handle fossilised poo, to the great amusement of all children



So Wilder, what did you think of the museums of York?


There are also many hostelries, many of which also sell food and provide spaces for children to draw whilst parents relax. Here is Ilona's picture from the pub.



And Gran Helen came to hang out with all her grandchildren too.

New Year

For our New Year's celebration, we got on a plane and headed to York to visit Simon, Angela, Della and Gus. We arrived early afternoon on New Year's eve, and somehow managed to stay awake past midnight (without the kids).

Pre-flight snack

 

Kids on a plane


Della was very excited to meet and hold her new cousin (as was everyone else)


Seems a long time since Xmas now. Here Bluet shows Della how to play Lotti Karotti, her favourite board game


2018 began with a trip to the park with scooters, balls and bikes



A pen was found, turning the park into a restaurant, and leaves into waiters pads for our food orders


 And New Year's Day finished with a bath


And everyone went to bed in the same room