Whilst York's lure is considerable - I could have quite happily spent the whole week just ambling around the city - there's plenty around and about too, so Monday morning we fired up Rosie and pointed her back on the A64 and eastwards to Malton.
Malton's tagline is 'Yorkshire's Food Capital' helped by the annual food festival, regular farmers markets and independent food producers and is a haven for 'foodies' - whatever they are. People who like good food I guess but who doesn't - it's just that not everyone gets to taste it.
We found it to be a pleasant but quiet unassuming place on a bright April Monday morning and most definitely worthy of some photographs. However, some silly old blogger had forgotten to charge the battery on the DSLR and no amount of cursing or cycling of the on-off switch could coax it into life. So any pictures you see from today are from the phones.
Whilst it was seemed pretty quiet after the relative crowds in York, there were signs of upcoming activity in the shape of preparations for a livestock market or auction by the looks of it.
Having circumnavigated the town centre we decided to sample some of the local cuisine in the shape of a sausage roll and a cuppa. Both were very nice and I must say at this point one of the things I've really enjoyed up here in Yorkshire - apart from the ale of course - is tea. Helped by the softer water I guess.
Charles Dickens fans may already know that 'A Christmas Carol' was apparently written whilst Dickens stayed in Malton.
Next on the list was a complete reverse ferret back up the A64 past York and into nearby Tadcaster. Trev's Mum aka HRH has regaled us with tales of her time in Tadcaster while in the forces 'during the war'. Several times. So we thought we'd come and have a look. In addition the bridge that bisects the town had only recently been rebuilt after being washed away at the end of 2015.
Of little interest to us, obviously, is that Tadcaster has quite a brewing tradition. In the town you will find the famous John Smiths whose tinned gassy brew I've come across at many a party as a nod to the ale drinkers. I finally got to sample the proper cask version a couple of years back when we last stayed in York. Nearby is Samuel Smiths brewery whose cask ale - still served from oak barrels - is one of my favourites.
Also here - and something I only just discovered thanks to rare bit of fact checking - is that there is a third brewery - the Tower Brewery, once Bass and now owned by fizz merchants Molson Coors.
A couple of steaks thrown upon the mercy of the little Cadac provided the bulk of the evening meal before we headed back into York to meet our friends who were departing the next day. We went to a pub - quelle surprise - and the Slip Inn, just up the road from their site, was the no doubt grateful recipient of our patronage on a quiet Monday night. Five real ales too, but I didn't get through all of them, something which both my liver and wallet were grateful for.
Tuesday was our last day before moving on and a sad day for the people of York who'd had the presence of the Blogger in Black in all his er, finery, parading through the streets for the past week. Well, I gave 'em something to laugh at anyway.
First up was the York Dungeon. Being a lover of all things macabre I'd had my eye on this since we'd arrived and priced it up online - and with tickets starting from a tenner it was most definitely on the list. Plans changed though when we approached reception and discovered that tickets bought on the day were over 50% more expensive. I have a deep aversion to parting with more cash than is strictly necessary so we decided to postpone our visit for another time.
Our wanderings brought us around to the Castle area. Clifford's Tower - the original keep - stands on a mound and is managed by English Heritage. Whilst the tower itself is interesting it was the views it would offer from the top that we were after and we were not disappointed, gaining yet another perspective on this great city:
More amblings brought us to the Merchant Adventurers' Hall in Fossgate. Existing now as a musuem, we didn't get any further this time than the pleasant cafe sitting in the Undercroft but having now been on their website it's on the list for another visit. The tea and scones were nice though.
Further wanderings brought us eventually back towards the Stonebow where we would be catching our bus back to the site. We'd just missed one it seemed but by happy coincidence there was a pub across the road - the Black Swan. How considerate.
There was to be another stop on the way back to the site. Thus bus passes right by the Nags Head in Heworth and we thought we'd take a look - for research purposes obviously. We were a little early for food so took the opportunity to soak up some of the lovely late afternoon sun (and a second pint) and the back garden whilst we were waiting. The food when it came was lovely - good honest pub grub and excellent value. Worth noting is that is walkable from the site in around twenty minutes or so - and you can always hop on the bus back or vice versa.
And so our time in York was nearly at and end. We had a fantastic time - and I hope that's showed through in the blogs helped in no small part by our home for the week at York Caravan Park. A peaceful site with excellent facilities and so handily placed with the bus stops near by. The Caravan & Motorhome Club site may be closer, but I'd pick this one everytime for it's easy access, location, spacious fully serviced pitches and wonderful shower rooms.
For a closer look, have a look at our little slideshow HERE. and our Site Arrival Video is HERE
Fishing is currently free as is the Site Wifi which we took advantage of. I didn't use the Mobile WiFi dongle but we had no problems with Vodafone or Three on our respective 'phones.
Right, onwards and er, eastwards. Look out for my next blog, coming from the lovely Spurn Point.
Until then, thanks as always for reading,
Rich & Trev.