Monday, October 21, 2013

york{minster}

ahhh, york

york was our favourite

like paris years ago, we didn't expect it to be... it just couldn't be helped


long ago, in the early planning days, i was corresponding back and forth with wendy of the crafter's apprentice blog, telling her of the places we planned to go

she was surprised there were almost no cities on the list

"well, you must go to york", she said
"even if you go nowhere else - go to york"

and so we did


york is steeped in history - with every twist and turn of the tiny cobbled streets still contained with the ancient city walls


we walked the city wall early on a saturday morning, looking out from the ramparts in every direction, both within and without the city walls


marveling at just how much fun it would be to be a kid again and find a posse to play knights in shining armour with

(some kids get the best backyards!)


the beauty of york minster...

the history...


constantine the great was crowned emperor of rome there in 306 a.d.

names from history books take on new meaning when you walk where they themselves placed their feet


we spent a few hours touring through the railway museum

my favourite part was the royal trains

the bunting hanging overhead, adding a touch of glory


i love the idea of historical travel


nowadays it's all about how quickly and efficiently they can get you, and a whole herd,  from point a to b, with the least possible cost or disruption

for what it's worth, i'd rather get there in comfort and style and enjoy the journey 
(which is why we indulged in hot chocolate and shortbread on almost every train day!)

don't you think the picture below has "grand tour" written all over it?


this trip was so important to me but i didn't want to put a pile of expectations on it

rather, i wanted it, and england to be as they were, letting me just draw them in, enjoying them for what they were

but i couldn't help hoping i would get to hear the pipes whilst we were there, especially when we were in scotland

after our day trip to kyle of localsh, on the shores of western scotland, we walked back to our b & b, through the gathering dark

the moon shone on the river, with the castle, glowing brightly against the dark sky, high atop the hill overlooking inverness and in it's shadow, a young man stood on the street corner playing the pipes... 

it was pretty darn wonderful


but it was late and we couldn't loiter... we listened to one song, and then moved along...

on our last day in york, an hour before we had to catch the train, we came upon this...


a wonderful pipe band, complete with scottish dancers

when they began to play the tears flowed and to my embarrassment, i cried the whole time

great big alligator tears - the kind you can't be discreet about - yeesh
thankfully i had a pocket full of tissue

afterward, marc asked me why i cried and i couldn't really answer him - probably still couldn't

family, history, memories, desire, freedom, life, joy, spirit
all of those things and more were wrapped up in the music they played

i remembered when i took highland dancing

i was very little and not very good... i usually finished my dance at least a minute ahead of everyone else...

maybe that's why i was crying!

11 comments:

Susan Elliott said...

And now I've definitely added York to my list! And I love the idea of the old trains and travel....*sigh

Marj Talbot said...

You cried out of sheer delight and enjoyment of what you had wished to see/hear - the pipes. I'm so glad you came upon the "group".
Thanks for sharing such a great part of your trip.

Wendy said...

so glad you took my advice and liked the little surprise I arranged (OK, so I didn't arrange the bagpipers...)

Wendy said...

so glad you took my advice and liked the little surprise I arranged (OK, so I didn't arrange the bagpipers...)

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Jillayne,
Yes a wonderful place to travel and your pics capture the history so well. The scotch blue on the bagpipers is a favorite.
What a great trip.
Enjoy!
Hugs, Celestina Marie

FredaB said...

I always get tears when I hear the bagpipes. Must be my Irish/Scotch blood.

I am so glad you made it to York. I was surprised to still see scaffolding on part of the Minster. It was on a large part of it over 20 years ago and the minster was actually closed for repairs.

Hugs
FredaB

no need for a reply

Dorthe said...

Dear Jillayne,
Oh so many wonderful places you have seen on your vacation to England and Scotland,- and all the sentiments that is connected with those places for you, ofcourse could make you cry...only natural and not to be ashamed about!!
Your photoes are amazing, and showing beauty everywhere.
So fantastic for you to have this tour!
Hugs, Dorthe

Suztats said...

Music can move one to tears as it swells, and rolls, but perhaps it was hearing the music that touched your heart that released tears of joy.

JennyPennyPoppy said...

A wonderful post and your pictures are fabulous. So glad you got to hear the pipe band and that it was so moving and memorable for you.

Deb said...

Wonderful pictures Jillayne, York looks like a beautiful city. And I, like you, cry my eyes out each time I hear the pipes. And I have my own theory on why; I think that they evoke an ancestral memory, something deep within our genes that has been passed down through the generations. The skirl of the pipes evokes a deep longing and love for the country and people that our ancestors came from and we are as powerless to deny that emotion as we are to breath. Silly thought perhaps but now, as I type and think of the pipes and of Scotland, my eyes are tearing up, so maybe not so silly? I envy you your wonderful trip and thank you for including us through your wonderful pictures and words, Deb

Diane Kelsey said...

Some really fantastic photos, certainly makes me want to visit more places in the UK. Is all that luggage yours?