Sep 19: Van Gogh in York

Saturday 28 September

Chris, Trisha, Sue, Wendy 

A small (but perfectly formed!) group set off to York for an overnight trip to see the Van Gogh exhibition there. 

The weather had been appalling with constant rain over the previous few days - in fact I'd had to find my wellies to paddle across the floods over our drive way before I could get my car from the garage to set off!

We weren't expecting much weather wise as the forecast was for showers and cloud - so it was a bit (lot!) of a shocker when we arrived in York to find bright sunshine!

We were staying in a youth hostel about a mile out from the city.  It had been quite hard to find accommodation at sensible prices over the weekend and we eventually found out why.  There was a huge hot air balloon and firework display on at the racecourse - and a food and drink market on in the city - no wonder prices were at a premium!

But the hostel was clean and tidy with card entry controlled rooms so we were happy with that.

We were able to walk into the city along the riverbank which was a great way to see the sights as we arrived.

Our first stop was for food and it was so warm that we were able to eat outside - we weren't expecting that!

Our next stop was York Minster but we decided that we didn't want to spend £11.50 on the entrance fee - we didn't even want to spend £10.50 for the over 60's concessions.  So we (and many others!) just hung over the barriers and looked from there.

We wandered round the back of the Minster to the Treasurer's House - a National Trust property. 

 We all pulled out our NT cards - except for Chris who couldn't find hers in her cavernous handbag (insert laughing emoji - can't do it on here lol) but we eventually got in and had a happy wander.

The gardens were small but very beautiful and the location of the house in the shadow of the Minster meant that the views from the windows were magnificent!

A lovely walk round the city in the unexpected sunshine.  With the obligatory stroll along the Shambles which now has lost some of its former charm as it seems to resemble a scene from Diagon Alley in Harry Potter with all the HP related shops and excited tourists dressed in Hogwarts' cloaks waving their wands!!

But still a beautiful city.  We had a quick coffee and cake stop.

And we happened upon the food festival so we had a wander round - concentrating on the gin, cheese and chocolate stalls! 

Then it was off the the House of Trembling Madness for a drink.  A quirky craft ale pub with a very colourful and diverse past!  Space was at a premium so we soon made new friends as we squeezed onto a wonky seat in the corner!

We walked back to the hostel to plan our next move for the evening.

After a rest and a recuperative gin from our well stocked bar we went back out for a meal.

Then it was back to the hostel again and time to be inspired for another gin before bed.

We were all in the same room which was nice - in bunk beds!  

All very nicely planned with room for the bar, individual charging points for phones etc and a handy little shelf for the gin - very useful if you were in the top bunk!

There was a sink in the room and also a separate toilet and shower in there too.  There were also more showers and toilets just outside along the corridor so there were no queues!

We had walked quite a distance so we were all ready for bed.

In the early hours I heard clicks and commotion in the room.  From my top bunk with my eyes half open I saw a flash of light and shadowed figures below me.  And giggling.  Lots of giggling which continued long after the nebulous figures climbed back into their beds.

Still trying to preserve that state of half asleepness I ignored it all.

Sunday 29 September

So of course my first question once we were all awake was 'what on earth was happening last night??'. Cue more guffaws of laughter!!

Turns out that Chris had gotten up to go to the loo.  Nothing wrong with that!

For some reason Chris had decided that she was going to the loo down the corridor rather than using the one in the room.  Nothing wrong with that either.

Remember that I said you needed a pass card to get in and out of the rooms?  Chris had forgotten that bit!  And only remembered on her way back - whilst on the outside!!

Luckily Sue - on the bottom bunk - woke/was woken up and realised what was going on.  And her impeccable reasoning was as follows: Wendy's on the top bunk and is as deaf as a post so she won't hear a thing - so no help from there.  Trisha's on the other top bunk and has already stated that due to her wonky hip she's not climbing down again until morning - even if she wants a wee - so no help there either!

So Sue listened out for her coming back and Chris was saved from having to hammer on the door!

Chris couldn't even explain why she had wandered off!  A very funny start to the day.

Bit of a change in the weather today so we ate breakfast at the hostel and then, suitably waterproofed we set off for the exhibition.

It was all a bit murky and gloomy in the rain compared to the glorious sunshine of the previous day.  But we found the church where the exhibition was being held and in we went.

A fabulous immersive experience with surround sound and surround moving pictures.  

I'd seen the exhibition before so I amused myself by standing at the back and taking selfies into Van Gogh's iconic bedroom.

The first time I'd seen the exhibition there had been small viewing rooms to either side of the front stage/altar area but this had been rectified so that there was only one side room.  The seating had also been altered to deck chairs around the walls and down the middle so it was a much nicer experience all round as previously it had been quite intrusive with people wandering across or standing in front of the screens as you were trying to watch the show.  

In the side room you could create your own Van Gogh masterpiece.  It was probably meant for kids but as there weren't any there we decided to have a go anyway!

Masterpieces completed, off we went back out into the rain.

We decided that we needed a treat so we went to look at Betty's but there was a huge queue trailing round the side of the building - and it was still raining.  So we went round the corner to Betty's cafe where there was still a queue - but it was smaller and indoors!

Fat rascals and delicious cakes!  Had to be done.

So that was it.  We decided that there was no point in trudging round in the rain so we made our way back to the hostel where we had left the cars and we said our goodbyes.

A wet ride home for us all after a short overnighter.  But still a nice chance for a catch up and some fun.

Until next time!..