York

York Ice Trail

February 21, 2020 in Days out with James

We jumped off the bus and right in front of us was Sponge Bob Square Pants, much to the little man’s delight. We were in early but already the hoards were massing so we prepared ourselves for what would be a busy day!

Trains and Chocolate Cake

March 10, 2019 in Days out with James

Today was the first day in a while that we were all at home as a family as Lyns was not working, however, she was also poorly so stayed at home. I had a few ideas of what to do but the weather conspired against me, so James and I headed to the Railway Museum and then on into town for a bite of lunch.

James finds the railway museum really interesting, primarily though, I think this is due to the sheer amount of buttons there are to press. He ran around more interested in the buttons than the actual trains.

We had a first today. James has been becoming more interested in the photos that I take and today saw him running up to various things, posing and then demanding that I take a photo. Afterwards he has looked at them on the camera and then given me ‘helpful’ hints to make the photos better. What a little star.

Other than the buttons, there were two parts that James really enjoyed today. The first was the bullet train. He got a row of seats to himself and proceeded to make himself comfortable. Ten minutes he sat there pretending he was on a train, he had his tickets inspected as well as enjoyed a tasty treat from the trolly. What an imagination.

The other area that he enjoyed was the model railway. He ran up and down following the various trains and when he saw a new one, his little face lit up. His only disappointment was that we could not get any more out of the cabinets and put them on the tracks.

After the Railway Museum, it was off into town for lunch. We walked past a bar called Joe’s Kitchen and James demanded to go in as he was hungry. As it turned out, it was a good choice. The food was very nice and there were a host of toys for James to play with. He kept disappearing to the shelves and swapping the toys over. We played with all sorts. The only failure was that the matching game only had about three complete pairs which took us about ten minutes of frustration to realise. Next time I’ll check before I lay them all out.

After we had finished lunch, we had a quick wander then headed back home. Before we got home, James wanted to go to the toy shop to spend his birthday money. With that spent, we headed home to see how mummy was feeling.

Fun in York

March 07, 2019 in Days out with James

This weekend saw James and I have a day to ourselves. We got up early and headed into York for a boys day out. We had lots planned but first of all we jumped off the bus and headed to the Yorkshire Museum. James was on top form and made sure we went into every room. When we missed one, he would point it out and off he would go. He loves the dinosaurs in there but most of all he loves the skeletons. He is truly fascinated by them.

After we had spent a good hour in the museum, James decided we wanted to go and play in the ruins of the abbey. He loves climbing on the ruins, even more though, he loves jumping off the top of them. If I was lucky I got a bit or warning, if not James just threw himself off, trusting I would catch him. Never have I moved so quickly as he began climbing higher and higher!

After we had walked through the Museum Gardens we grabbed a bite of lunch. We popped into Lucia’s, James choice as apparently mummy and granny take him there, and James enjoyed some fish fingers and chips. All in all a nice meal.

After lunch I asked James what he would like to do. He announced he would like to go to the big church so off to the Minster we headed.

James could not get over how high the ceilings were. He kept staring up in amazement. I promised him that when he was bigger we would climb to the top of the tower. He was really excited by this.

After the Minster, it was time to grab a little food and head home. Apart from a rogue ten minutes where he was naughty, I had to drag him round M&S, he was a star all day. Interested in everything. We got home about six hours after we headed out and settled down to a hot chocolate and some TV. Could not have asked for a nicer and more relaxing day with my little man.

Trains, Minster and Bendy Buses

October 22, 2018 in Days out with James

So today was the penultimate full day of Colin, Elaine and Alexander’s flying visit to York. Alexander was really looking forward to going to the railway museum, but, more importantly, he wanted to go on a bendy bus. He has a toy model of one but had never been on one so was really excited when he found out they were in York. I’m not sure if he was more excited about the bus or the museum.

We were a little late heading out and it showed when we got to the park and ride. The queue for the bus was huge. If you get there at 10 you get straight on a bus, get there at 11 and the queue is massive! Not that it mattered as we were in no rush. We jumped on the bus, making sure to sit near the bend and headed off. We jumped off and headed into the National Railway Museum. The boys were in their element, running around an exploring all of the trains. That was, until, they saw the Thomas ride. Could we get them off? No way, not until they had had their fill anyway.

After playing inside, we headed out to see the trains come into York station. If you have not been before, there is a viewing platform you can stand outside on and watch the trains pass. For some reason, there were a lot of miserable people on the trains this Saturday as not one person waved back, much to James’ consternation. That being said, the boys enjoyed watching the trains pass and it was nice to be outside getting some fresh air.

After the museum, it was onto the bus and into York to get some lunch. I had a super hangry wife who got ever more so as I forced everyone to walk across town to get to the bakers near to the minster so we could have warm pasties for lunch. Unbeknown to me, it had closed down! I could feel the looks of hatred without the need to turn round. By this point there were two hangry wives. Luckily there was another bakers near by so we hot footed it across and bought some sandwiches for lunch.

We headed to the Minster Gardens for our lunch. It was a beautiful day and it meant that the boys could run around to their hearts content and there was a lot of room for them to do it in. Alexander managed to flirt with two young ladies who were instagramming in the park and had them beaming at him. A little heart breaker in the making. I wonder where he gets that from … any ideas Colin??

After the having a good run round, burning off all their energy, we headed into York itself. The boys had a little pocket money to spend so it was off to the Disney shop. James treated himself to a Jack Jack cuddly toy and Alexander a Buzz Lightyear. It was just a quick trip into town as the boys were getting tired and Colin and I needed to get back to cook dinner.

After getting the bus home, the girls put the boys to bed whilst Colin and I cracked on with dinner. Two curries, one starter and a desert later we had a house of satisfied people and we opened a few bottle of wine and gin and settled in for a few drinks.

Romans in Eboracum

June 05, 2018 in Days out with James

Two thousand years after they first arrived, the Romans arrived back in York. Luckily for us they came in peace, albeit still waving swords.

After getting up early and heading out for a run, it was a glorious morning early on, I arrived home and showered ready to go out. Much to Lyns' disgust, I made us fifteen minutes late leaving the house. On a plus side we were still in town ten minutes early as the bus and road gods smiled upon us, not sure the Romans had those gods however maybe Mercury, the god of travellers, is the most likely candidate to have blessed our quick passage through the traffic.

Today we were heading into York with some friends to go to the Eboracum Roman Festival, organised by the York Museum Trust. It was held in the Museum Gardens in the centre of York and there was lots to see and do. First things first though, we grabbed a coffee to start the day off. Coffee in hand, we strolled to see what was on offer. The first thing we came across was the mighty Roman Legions drilling.

All authentic until, after using latin words of command, 'Happy Days' drifted over the air

Now, whilst all dressed in shiny armour and carrying glades and scutum, sword and shield, they did not cast fear into my heart. I think Mars would have been chuckling to himself and thank goodness the barbarians were not at the gates. Even still, it was interesting to watch the drills.

After that it was onto the Roman encampment. Lots going on here, all sorts of displays with weapons, spinning and story telling. There was also a trail for the children to do with stamps.

After the stamp, the stabbing began...

After we had all had our fill in the encampment, it was time to head up to the main arena for the forming up of the parade. Before that though, James confessed he was feeling a little tired. As always, Lyns will use any excuse for a cuddle.

Once formed, the legions marched, stopping traffic and people wherever they went. First stop was Betty's Tearoom - well obviously, everyone stops at Betty's when they are in York.

Standing guard, wishing he was allowed in for tea

Following a brief stop at Betty's it was onwards, heading for York Minster. The parade twisted and turned through York, picking up more and more people at every turn. Finally it arrived at the Minster and Ceaser prepared to address his legions. This was a wonderful spectacle, seeing Ceaser on the steps of the Minster with his troops cheering him.

Before too long, it was over and the Legions marched back to the Museum Gardens. We on the other hand marched to lunch as we had two hangry toddlers. Fancying something different we headed to Las Iguanas for a South American themed lunch. What was intended as a light lunch turned into quite a feast. The ambience of the place is lovely and with the weather having turned beautiful, we sat outside.

This is the 'first time I'm the only one not drinking' face

After a lovely lunch we headed back to the Museum Gardens to see what was going on. Unfortunately we had been so leisurely at lunch, the festival had finished. No matter, we had picked up some super hero capes so the two kids ran off whatever energy they had left. Unfortunately, whilst it started sedately, Lyns bore the full brunt of the energy release.

Once the two super heroes had finished 'saving' Lyns, it was time to head home. We had all had a lovely day and was nice to be involved in something different in York, we do not get into the city as often as we should do.

A Cheeky Little Bonus

April 28, 2018 in Days out with James

So a Saturday is usually a day of Gym Bobs in the morning and then swimming in the afternoon, with a little fun along the way. However, as I went to load the little man into the car, I could not find the car seat. Lyns had taken it to work!!! Not that I could be annoyed as I have done it time enough, even on three consecutive days in one instance. This meant that James and I had a bonus day together to do something. Bundling him into the buggy while he was still in the mood to go out, we headed to the bus stop.

Now, James it not shy when it comes to speaking about what he sees. As we were getting onto the bus he had a quizzical look on his face and was unusually quiet. I did not think anything of it. However, just after we sat down, his little voice rang out across the bus, "Daddy, why does that lady have a hairy face?". He had spotted an old lady who, to be fair, was sporting an impressive white beard. Luckily she had not heard, but there were a few laughs from the people sat around me! I was mortified.

After that, the rest of the trip was uneventful. We arrived in York in time for lunch. I gave James the choice and he chose fish and chips, one of his favourites. We found a fish and chip shop, James had fish goujons, five good sized pieces of fish, and I have a small fish and chips as I am trying to lose a bit of weight and get fit. My fish was a good size, but as I unwrapped I thought they had forgotten the chips, alas no, the fifteen chips that I had were hidden under the fish. By the time James had had his share, the James tax as we call it in our household, there were only the scraps left for me. At least he is helping me cut down. It was very pleasant sat in the Minster Gardens eating our lunch. It is somewhere we go quite often when we are in town and eating a picnic lunch.

The winner of the biggest mouthful is ...

How much can one little boy fit in his mount?

After we had eaten lunch we went to have a look around the Castle Museum. James loves exploring in there, especially the victorian street. There is so much for him to do and to see. He cannot take it all in. Because we were late into town, we did not have a huge amount of time as Nana and Grandad were coming for dinner. As we are YMT card holders, it does not matter if it is only a short visit.

This time, the first place we stopped for a look was the room that shows some of the fashions through the ages. James was not so much interested in the clothing, rather the cat walk which he loved running up and down.

Next it was onto the victorian street. Instantly I could tell James has visited here far too often recently as he knew how many carriages there are and took me to see each one in turn. Every time though, I think he finds something different to look at. Today he was intrigued by the toilets.

The other place James spent a lot of time today was in the prison cell. He loved opening and closing the big iron gate.

The last bit we looked round today was the World War One display. I always find this very difficult as James asks what happened to all the people and wants the memorials reading out to him. Very hard to explain to a toddler the concept of death, so we tell him that all the people have gone up to the stars. Lyns has a lovely way of remembering those who are no longer with us and every time she sees a robin, it is granny coming back to see us. James knows of this so as I read all the names to him, he looked at me very seriously and told me that all the people would be going to see their families as a robin so that they could see them again and then they would not be sad. You have got to marvel at how simply a child sees the world and how amazing it is to start experiencing the world again through them.

It was then off to play in the trench tunnel and the hollowed out tree.

By now we had run out of time. Back to the buggy, onto the bus and home. James saw none of this because, as soon as I sat him in the buggy, he had fallen asleep. Half an hour later we were home and I was enjoying a drink whilst James had a snooze. Another successful day of wearing him out done.

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