We had a great weekend in the north, visiting Anna's brother and his family in Pontefract, Yorkshire for a couple of days. Uncle Dan, Auntie Rachel, Oscar, Jimmy and Sophie (15 / 10 / 6 respectively). We love staying with the Barringtons, partly because Sophie takes complete care of Sam while we are there, allowing Anna and I to relax.
I had some work to do in Doncaster, but we also got a free day to go to the beautiful old city of York, walk around the city walls, ramble up the Shambles, and see the minster. My favourite thing about York is that the Roman Emporer Constantine was actually crowned Emporer there
in about AD 300 and something (They do crown emporers I assume?), as he happened to be there with the Roman Garrison when the last one died. They were usually poisoned by their wives weren't they, it would never catch on in this day and age! Constantine was a very significant Emporer as he was the one who was instrumental in the establishment of Christianity in the Roman Empire, and therefore the whole of the western world.Turns out it was in 306BC, link to Wikipedia here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I_(emperor)
So York is a great old place, and still boasts a fine set of city walls, which are great for a 1 hour walk round the city. Incidentally while on a roll so as to speak, I think the walls were mainly built to keep the scots out, but played an important part in the English Civil war, when Royalist York was beseiged by an army of Parliamentarians and the Scots. I've heard that a bylaw still exists in York making it legal to shoot a Scotsman within the City walls, using a Bow and Arrow.
Anyway the best thing about the trip was that we went up and back on the (Choo Choo) train, much to Sam's delight. He was also given a model of Thomas the Tank Engine by Dan and Rachel for an early Christmas present, which he now keeps with him at all times, including sleeping and at Breakast. Pictures to follow.
