Day 12: Rest Day in York

Not an early start to our second rest day (no surprise there then) - apart from the caretaker coming through at 7.30 and releasing the alarms, then the cleaners clattering through with mops and buckets. But we were due in the Minster for a service at 10.30, so we set out to catch the "frequent" bus in from outside the school. Typically, though, all the buses that came along didn't stop at our stop (much to the chagrin of the assembled pilgrims). So it was nearly 10.30 before we were on the bus.

We then had a fast hike through York to the Minster, and arrived before the end of the service, in the Lady Chapel.

Afterwards the holy pilgrims lined up for a "team photo".

David found this image of St Chad in stained glass.

And Stephen, eyes ever heavenward, captured this decorated roof.

An adventurous group decided to take the climb up the tower (all 278 steps of a spiral staircase). Half way up there's a break from the stairs for a horizontal run along the gutter. Nice views.

Up top, someone spotted a defect in Siobhan's shaving of Ant's head. David immediately appeared with his Swiss Army Knife and corrected the offending hair (rather to the amazement of the other tourists!).

Then, back down the steep spiral staircase - no, John's not pushing Louise down a well.

A quick dash followed for Mass at noon at the Catholic church nearby.

Outside, is this Margaret and Joyce considering alternative transport?

Then out in to the bustle of York in August, to Ye Olde Starre Inne - the oldest pub in York and with a view of the Minster.

Patrick was completely befuddled by "Cosmic Triangles" that the youngsters were trying to teach him. Can you see it going straight over his head?

I thought it best to lie down and avoid the excitement, but Clare caught me.

After lunch some went to the National Railway Museum - John and I rode a full 400 yards on a working steam train (tank engine and aged carriage), and saw the 1980's Advanced Passenger Train (APT) prototype rusting away

Inside, though, the locomotives and rolling stock were shining - it was almost unreal. Here's Mallard (the steam speed record holder). City of Truro (the first locomotive to exceed 100mph) was in bits in the works.

Others went on a boat trip. Looks dangerous with Pat and Ant "welcoming" - "trust me I'm a pilgrim".

The boat trip passed the Kings Arms - famous for being flooded! Patrick and his pals went back to check the fluid levels later.

From the top of the Minster we'd seen St Mary's Abbey...

...but Stephen visited and got some pictures later in the day.

And now, we're back at the school. Some are returning to York for a meal, some ordering a takeaway to be delivered.