Having visited way back in the 90s as a kid, i was determined to return and so for a day and half i did. Travelling by train i arrived about 11am and after a bite to eat had a wander. I timed the trip to catch the tail end of the Viking festival and first port of call was the small but interesting exhibition Vikings: Home and Abroad. It featured several displays and cases of artifacts and also had around 4-5 actors who were all very friendly and great to talk to. With Jorvik still closed (due to the floods) it was a nice way to enjoy the Viking history.
After watching a couple of demonstrations outside the exhibit, wood working and combat, i drifted towards the Minster and what a building! It was huge, impossible to see it through my lens as too many buildings close by to isolate it. But was great to see and later on i managed some decent captures from the walls. I returned in the evening however and did manage a couple of nice captures.
The second and only full day saw me running about! First i checked out the Shambles, wonderful and delightfully quirky area that looked like something from Discworld. Of-course back when it was mostly the butchers yard it would have been a different story!! Managed some nice captures but hope to return and try some different ideas out.
Next was Barley Hall, a Tudor town house and museum. Initially i wasn't going to bother but i had to walk past so i headed in. Really glad i did too, fascinating and enjoyable experience! The Tudors were crafty little buggers and the house was beautifully laid out with a highlight being the Horn Window. The staff deserve a mention too especially the red haired lass in the main hall, all were really enthusiastic and knowledgeable and were fantastic people to talk too :)
Next was......er.... Oh right the market! Saw a Viking coin maker and a couple of boats, very cool indeed. It was then time for the Viking March, ha ha! Fantastic display as some 300 fully dressed and armored vikings march down the streets to Coppergate. Loud, mad and great fun to watch! Following on from that i headed to the Richard 3rd experience (another great little museum) before i headed to the Yorkshire Museum. The Yorkshire Museum in particular was impressive and well worth a visit and i was especially happy as i finally got to see a Dodo skeleton plus a stuffed Great Ark. Also on display was a Moa skeleton, another example of humans arrogance and recklessness towards nature. Other displays included various fossils of ancient reptiles, Romans and of-course Yorks Vikings.
Finally it was the main Viking event - the last stand of Bloodaxe! Never seen a battle like this before and it was amazing! Good fights, great marches, fantastic music and incredible firework display. I enjoyed every moment - even if i didn't manage to photograph any of it as it was too dark.
Well thats the highlights, and i can safely say i will be returning to further explore the city and its sights.
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