Apparently, York is the chocolate city - never knew that, but this morning we visited the Rowntree shop and learnt all about the history of chocolate in York.

From about 1860, when Rowntree took over a cocoa import business, they have been making chocolates in York (as has Frys (Bristol) and Cadbury (Birmingham).

Whilst we listened and watched a very clever presentation, we got to taste cocoa water (seasoned with chilli), cocoa nibs (crushed cocoa beans), as well as other chocolate pieces. Well worth the visit.

We all wandered through the streets of the city centre in to The Shambles which was were all the butchers originally had their shops. Looking at some of them, I wondered if they were safe to be around as they were like leaning towers of Pisa! Bruce got to have his Cornish Pastie today (as we all did), The young ones left us to do a brewery tour so Bruce and I continued to wander.

We came across The Holy Trinity Church which was amazing. So old - records of it being there (but not in its current form) from about 1060. The existing building was originally built about 800 years ago and it has been added to until it ceased holding services about 1880. That it still survives when it hasn't been in use is a testament to some dedicated people.

It is the only church in England that still has the pew boxes that were installed about 200 years ago. There is no electricity in the church so it is lit by candles only - quite a dark little place when its cloudy.

The church still has 3 services each year, one of them being the 2nd Advent Sunday, so the decorations (holly wrapped around the candelabras) for it where still present. I'm glad we got the chance to have a look.