Day 138, 19 November 2012, York, the North of England - Not Being Grownups saddled up again this morning and started our 5 day adventure in the sunny north. (Just kidding!) We are travelling with day packs at the moment which is fabulous. We headed into London and left Kings Cross Station on time at 12.05 pm. Funnily enough we'd thought York would be the final destination of our train (so perfectly safe to have a snooze) - as it turns out we were on the Highland Chieftain heading to Inverness, and York was the first stop. Still managed a snooze though! We didn't realise how much cooler a couple of hours to the north could make it. All the locals whipping coats, hats and scarves out of their bag should have given us some indication in hindsight. First stop was Thomas's of York for a pub lunch with mulled wine and a warming ale. It might be something in the water up here - but the people at the pub were so incredibly friendly compared to London. With a load of local tips and advice and things to do circled on our map we headed off through York Museum's gardens (squirrels!!!) and had our first view of the 13th century ruins of St Mary's Abbey with the light of the day dying behind it. We had passed the "Wheel of York" on our walk from the railway station into town.... but were much more impressed by the name the locals use.... "The Evil Eye"(pictured). Our lodgings in York are stunning value for money - the Jorvik Hotel (www.jorvikhotel.co.uk)- even have a spa bath in the room which is vital for defrosting. It was only 3.30 pm or so when we arrived at the hotel, so we resisted the bath, left our bags and took off for The Shambles. One of the quaintest shopping streets in all of Europe apparently. The Shambles is the ancient street of the butchers of York and was even mentioned in the Domesday book of William the Conqueror. It takes its name from the word Shamel meaning the stalls or benches the meat was displayed on. (later versions still visible - usually with big signs saying "Don't Sit Here". The street was apparently rebuilt in around 1400 and hasn't changed unduly since. Except now there are no butchers and it is full of jewellers, woollens suppliers, clothing and souvenirs. Which all told probably makes it a much nicer place to visit. Venturing around the narrow streets of York in the dark (still only 5 pm or so) we enjoyed the Christmas lights and the names for the streets. And the ghosts of course. Pretty much every hotel has claim to a haunting or two and many are reputedly the most haunted pub/house/shop in Britain. Bodes well indeed for tomorrow night's Ghost Hunt methinks. After much zigging and zagging we made our way back through the gardens, had a snack and a glass of wine and and early night. York has so much we want to see - time for a good sleep then.