Scotland - Day 10 York

Today we picked up where we left off yesterday with a return to Sterling Castle. It was another lovely warm day but very still. There was a fair amount of haze around that restricted visibility somewhat.

We arrived at the castle about 9:30 and spent two hours touring this impressive site. Its located on a volcanic plug at the most strategic point in the river representing the only reliable crossing point between England and Scotland. The oldest remaining part of the Castle is the North Gate which was built 1381.

The castle itself has undergone many modifications and fortifications and now sports several defenses including multiple curtain walls, and canon placements. James of course was thrilled with the canon and we pretended to shoot across to the Sterling Bridge where Wallace had his first encounter with the Edward I English army. Of course, the bridge itself has been rebuilt.

Of particular interest were the Royal chambers. Extensive archeological research is underway and the ceiling, walls, and floors have been stripped to better understand the construction and other details. It is intended that shortly these chambers be reconstructed, including furnishings and tapestries. Having the building stripped down, as it were, allowed us to see some of the 16th century timbers that form the ceiling. Amazing to think of the age of the tree from whence they came.

James didn't get to bed until after 10pmlast night was was pretty tired this morning. He tripped a few times and added a bumped head and grazed hands to his bruised knee from the other day. I guess they are his little reminders of his adventures.

We left the castle about midday and tracked back to Edinburgh to join the A1. Today was ostensibly a travel day so we spent the remainder of the afternoon on the motorway. They are a great way to commute but of course you get no sense of the country you're traveling through.

We arrived in York about 5:30pm. Given our experiences of the past few nights we were well prepared today. We had full directions from google on all the intersections leading to our B&B. So we had no trouble finding it. It is well located - about 10 minutes walk from Yorkminster.

Soon after we arrived James spotted a playgound over the road. He was so good today (played with his screws in the back seat almost the whole journey - even slept with them tucked under his arm) that we spent some time on the slide and swings. We then walked into the town centre and caught the amazing sight of Yorkminster close to sunset. The orange light lit up the main west facing facade. Lots of photos taken

We walked around the church and were surprised to find that there is a very rich Roman heritage here. For example, the medieval walls surrounding the old city were built by the Romans. Constantine became Emperor here in AD306. Then York was known as Eboracum. Walking the town there is much evidence of the old Roman buildings. There is even a Roman column that originated from the Headquarters building of the Fortress of the 6th Legion.

We had a meal in a pub very in the centre of the town. James had Yorkshire pudding (why not!). We met a couple from Arizona sitting in the table next to us. Turns out the lady has a brother that works for RMIT as a marketing lecturer. And Merrilyn did all his travel! Small world. So we chatted about Scotland and York until 8:30pm when we had to set off back to the B&B.

Tomorrow Merrilyn will visit Yorkminster and I plan to walk the Roman walls.