Grand Old York

Earlier this month we made a long-overdue weekend trip to Yorkshire for a spot of tourism, and to visit Jo's friend Shel. York is a couple of hours by train from London, and we got some cheap tickets that got us in late on Friday night. Jo and Shel were delighted to see each other again after 3 years, while for me it was lovely to finally meet someone I had heard so much about.

While York is of course known for its heritage and its long and rich history (more on that soon), we spent most of the Saturday at a slightly less traditional tourist spot : Flamingo Land, a theme park/zoo hybrid. Shel had spent many childhood holidays there and highly recommended it to us, and it was an excellent choice, as we all had a great time. I had previously never been to a theme park or ridden a rollercoaster, so now I can cross those off the list.

The highlight for me was riding the Mumbo Jumbo, which holds the record for the world's steepest rollercoaster with its 112 degrees drop.

And here is Jo and Shel, thoroughly soaked after the Lost River Ride, a boat ride that goes through the animal enclosures before taking a 60 foot drop at the end.

Sunday was spent taking in York's historical sites, wandering around the city walls and the old streets of the town before having a delightful picnic amongst the ruins in the museum gardens.

Shel and I survey the invading armies from the ramparts.

This history lover is clearly delighted to be amongst the ruins.

A glorious day for a glorious picnic in a glorious location.

We also spent some time in one of the best pubs I've come across in the UK, thanks to another excellent tip from Shel, and had some wonderful beers. All too soon though, it was time for us to go home. We had a fabulous time in York, and we will be looking to get back there as soon as possible. Shel was the perfect host and we are very excited that she will be down in London again soon.

Finally, here is a bonus silly picture of us on the train home.

We Went Down to Oxford Town

Recently (well it was two weeks ago, I've been slow to update), we took a day-trip by train to Oxford, which is where Jo lived when she was here in 2007. It was nice to see Jo's old haunts and it gave us chance to use our shiny new railcards.

Greeted by the Ox of Oxford

Posing with the Ox

Oxford is basically known for two things: being really old, and having one of the best universities in the world, and we pretty much spent the day walking around looking at those old buildings, like this one:

And this one:

And these ones:

Aaaaaand this one:


In the afternoon we stretched out and relaxed in the sun on the banks of the River Isis, which is actually just the River Thames on either side of Oxford, for some reason they call it Isis where it flows through the city. There were loads of rowers practising on the river, which is a pretty stereotypically Oxford-ish thing to do.


I was having a nice time, until a tough-guy goose came to show his authority.

"Hey, that goose is getting awfully close."

"GERROFF MY LAWN!"

I don't like geese, they're aggressive and they hiss at you.

To finish the day we took a bus out to nearby Abingdon, which is where Jo actually was living. It is a very nice little town.

Homecoming.

Paris Pix

A pictorial/roughly chronological account of our time in Paris.

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur.

Arc de Triomphe from underneath (have you always wondered what that looked like?)

We went to le Tour Eiffel, both of us.

A view from the first level of the tower...

...And one from the second level (you can see La Défense in the distance).

Glorious steel and rivets, all the way to the top (we didn't go up there).

It was hella windy.

Louvre baby.

Notre Dame (no zombies to be found anywhere).

Rex liked the Meijer de Haan exhibition at le Musée d'Orsay...

...And hung out at this Université de Paris building (you can see the tip of Le Tour Eiffel in the distance - Oh la la!)

On the steps of Le Panthéon (I wasn't bored, just resting).

Le Jardin et Palais du Luxembourg.

Arènes de Lutèce, formerly a Roman arena, now used by French kids for football (foreground) and French grown-ups for pétanque (background).