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CITY LIMITS The York Experience February 2004 We have run a weekend break in London for the last couple of years, so thought we had better set our sights on a change of venue for this year's urban 'cultural' trip. Hence, we spent a wicked weekend in our Northern capital, and England's most historic city. About 45 of us on this one, so it was a very full trip indeed. Kicking people off the train Big tip for all those folk travelling on intercity trains - BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE! We did, so had the pleasure of kicking the peasants out of our seats when we got on the train. We took up virtually an entire carriage, and if asking people to vacate their seats didn't work, the noise the scouts made generally soon did. York International Youth Hostel Something of a flagship for the association, and you can see why. Friendly, helpful staff, very comfy rooms, good food and a bar area(!). Could do with a travelator between it and the city centre, but apart from that, no complaints GNER Fast, efficient trains that got us to York in under two hours. Polite helpful staff too. Could give lessons to the shambles that is South Central Trains. National Museum of TV, Film and Photography We hired a coach to take us to Bradford's number one attraction. A couple of hours were spent pretending to be TV presenters, watching films and playing computer games. Clifford's Tower Nice high position on a hill in York that gives great views of the city. Jane liked Viking ways of dealing with husbands. Alan (her husband) thought it was rubbish. English Heritage spot on, and we pretended to be King for twenty minutes. Jorvik Viking Centre Good archaeological discovery exhibition with cool train thing. Let's face it, anything with smells like this is bound to be good. A new expression: "Doing a Jorvik" is born. Ghost Hunt An excellent guide showed us all the scary places in York. In the dark. Wearing a cape and top hat. Like it. We particularly enjoyed knock-and-run and also ruining forty people's Italian meal. All in the name of entertainment though. York Dungeon Horrible displays about disease, disgusting blood and guts, grizzly executions, people with innards hanging out. Bring it on! Found out about Dick Turpin, Guy Fawkes, the plague - all naturally in the best possible taste. York Minister Very interesting cathedrale that is massive. The Tower is particularly worth the long and winding walk up the stairs - amazing views. We'll enquire about it for abseiling... Scavenger Hunt The scouts spent an hour collecting various bits of tat, otherwise known as a scavenger hunt. Biro to the winners. National Rail Museum Great stuff here with more trains than we've ever seen and stuff you can jump about on. A fine way to end our weekend. McDonald's No trip to any town with a McDonald's would be complete without a trip to a McDonald's. We thought it was so good we went twice. The scouts forced us to, you see. Muddy Paths We particularly enjoyed walking back to the hostel alongside the Rive Ouse. Leader Matt thought this was especially pleasant - and insisted on falling over on it, much to the scout's (and Neal's) amusement. Pasta Do we have any other recipes? Er, no. Pasta is good. Overall, another cracking weekend for Troop B. Another urban adventure awaits us in 2005. The Vancouver Experience?...