Visiting York for Steam trip on Settle and Carlisle

Today we set off to York by train Wigton-Carlisle, Carlisle-Newcastle and Newcastle-York.   We have decided that given our new status in life, and the fact that we have purchased Senior railcards, we should leave the car at home and 'let the train take the strain'!  Apart from the rather poor condition of the local Northern stock from Wigton to Newcastle (especially the old Pacer unit to Newcastle) the service was good and on time for all three legs of the journey.

Once arrived at York station we walked to our hotel.  The main reason for electing to carry two bags an unknown distance to the hotel was to get our bearings as we have to retrace our steps in the morning to catch the steam special.  It also gave us chance to get our bearings, see the sights and enjoy the fresh air.  A taxi ride might have been less strenuous but could have confused our sense of direction.

We had prebooked at Lady Anne Middleton's hotel http://www.ladyannes.co.uk/ on recommendation from my sister who had recently stayed there. Our navigation (using a Google map) was spot on and we were all too soon at the hotel which was not yet prepared for us (it being about 1:30pm).   However after a coffee we were soon established in our accomodation.  This included bed room, livingroom (TV in both!) as well as a bathroom,  Our room is bottom left window...

Soon ready for our afternoon playing tourist in York, first the Shambles..

and then the Minster and then St Williams College...

Then we made our way to the Museum gardens and decidedv to take a brief water diversion on a trip boat which took us up and down the River Ouse to see the sites from the River. This allowed us to see the mooring possibilities should we ever get Prairie Oyster to this side of the Pennines.