York / Manchester

We're up early (not that difficult as we're still on the early wake up jetlag schedule), as we're off to see friends in York and Manchester. A quick tube ride to Kings Cross station and we hop on the train to York. The scenery is beautiful and exactly as you'd expect the English countryside to look. Green, green and more green.

We're only in York for a few hours to catch up with our good friend Tom's parents, Caroline and Rob and to get an express tour through York where Rob lives and Tom grew up. Caroline joins us at Retford and it's a few more stops until we get to York. All up about 2.5 hours on the train, no drama.

Rob meets us at York station and the tour begins. We are immediately enamoured with York. It's a little drizzly and grey but it only lends to the charm of the place. We walk along the original stone boundary wall of the city and take in the views. We grab an "Aussie breakfast" (aka avocado is on the menu and not a baked bean in sight) at newly opened café in town. Fuelled up we are ready to continue the tour. We've got a midday train booked to Manchester, so we will only get to see the village today. Which is a shame as Rob and Caroline list of a number of great walks and trails that are nearby.

We head to the Shambles which is like stepping into Hogsmeade Village from the Harry Potter movies except its very real and very old. They have leaned into the theme somewhat with potions and ghosts stores and such. It's a bit touristy but doesn't take away from the charm of the place at all. Courts already wants to come back.

We check out the minster and to say it is impressive is an understatement. The building is huge, with intricate design and many gargoyles. It was built in the 1200s and it took 200 years to build! It's a solid structure and they have a little workshop nearby where stonemasons are working maintaining the gargoyles and other bits and bobs for the minster. It's so impressive.

This quick tour is making us thirsty and we have just enough time for a pint before our next train. We head to a pub where you enter through a bottle shop and then head upstairs at the back. Feels very secretive and cosy. We head upstairs and the pub is just as charming as everything else we have seen in York. Even the taxidermy on the walls!

Unfortunately it's time to say our goodbyes and we hop on the train to Manchester, about a 1.5 hour trip. We're here to visit with our good friend Stella. Stella picks us up from airport and we hit the road to her place. We pass through the city on the way, Stella is about a half hour south from the city but close to the airport, in Timperley. We get a tour of her flat (we love, its on the top floor surrounded by trees and a brook! The trees lousy with birds and squirrels) and catch up over some crisps and beers.

The plan for tonight is to meet Stella's family and head out for dinner. We quickly shower and get ready and Stella's sister Claire comes to pick us up. We immediately hit it off with Claire, it's as if we known her as long as we've known Stella. Next its time to meet the parents! We arrive at Eileen and Brenno's house where Brenno immediately asks Jeff which team he supports and if it's Liverpool. It isn't, so we're all good. We chat with the folks over a few pre-dinner drinks and crisps.

We all head out for dinner in Wilmslow, a nice Italian restaurant where we enjoy too much wine and many, many laughs.