Intro

 Northumbria. April 30, 2025-May 9, 2025

And off we go…

Allen took me to Dulles and off I went to Manchester on a Air France flight. It was noneventful. Got into Manchester and was sad to see all the construction. They are enlarging the airport which I was disappointed in, as flying to Manchester in my mind is always better as it is “smaller” than Heathrow. Wonder if that will always be true as it was hopping busy!

Map of the tour

I retrieved my three bags, got a dolly, and followed the signs to the train station. It was a LONGGG walk, and I was late for the train on my ticket we had purchased before I left. After much discussion with the lady at the platform, I could get on the train in one hour which was leaving for York. Ugh. So I sat and waited with all my stuff. I chatted with a little lady also going to York and she told me how unreliable the trains are! When the train came, I was concerned about getting my heavy suitcase up on the train but did it slowly and then took a seat. I had no idea where the seat was on my ticket but the ladies around me told me to just stay in the one I had, so I did it and when the conductor came he did not say anything, so I guessed I was ok. Rick Steves needs to come out with a guidebook for British trains! I kept my eye on my luggage as the ladies told me there had been a lot of theft. I laughed though as I knew nobody would take mine-it was too heavy! It was heavy with ten days of clothes, dress ware and two guidebooks.

The train to York was fun for me. Spring had just sprung, and it was very pretty. The only issue was I thought I had a direct train but alas, no, I got to see a lot of stops before arriving. It was ok as I had no time pressure, but it took along time to get there.

Once I arrived at the York train station I got confused. I was using my phone, and a nice lady asked me if I needed help-she told me she knew I might from “my accent”!  I kept seeing a u-turn on my directions and I did not understand. However, I only walked about 10 minutes and there was the The Grand York Hotel and was it grand! I checked in and then I went to get my first fish and chips of my trip. It was supposed to be the best and it was good. I did not mind going by myself as I got to see York Minster and walk around. I fell into bed like a rock.

My roommate Lynn arrived sometime in the middle of the night. She too got the “many stops” train to York. I rolled over and went back to sleep.

Manchester train station

I made it!

Beautiful York hotel

Lovely

My hotel rom

Beautiful old pic of hotel