Vikings and Bishops

Slow Ways Route – Cawyor one

Today I would start and end my day beside the River Ouse. I read that Archbishops of York had a palace here at Cawood and read too that in 1066 Viking ships were moored on the river here too. I negotiated the traffic on the bridge and set off walking on the embankment beside the river.

I came to the village of Kellfield with this nod to it’s Viking heritage along with the modern beacon.

Then tracks and fields on the way to Stillingfleet

Through the village of Stillingfleet

Then onto a road then farm tracks before reaching the Trans Pennine Trail.

It was along here I chatted to a local man in his 80s who told me at great length about the wildlife and agriculture around me. He was on an electric trike but put my fitness to shame. I passed this remnant of the trail’s railway days, though the distances didn’t correspond to my route.

I walked through the village of Naburn as I returned to the banks of the River Ouse again. I was hoping for a village shop but it was closed.

I continued along this railway path until I reached Bishopthorpe the current home of the Archbishop of York.

Thankfully I found a cafe which was open in the village/town and had a well deserved break. I passed the racecourse and arrived at the city.

I will admit to bias but York’s Millenium Bridge is not a patch on Gateshead’s.

I had arrived in York. I walked past then on some of the City Walls to my Slow Ways destination at the Railway Station.

I had booked an Airbnb room for the night which was just inside the City Walls. The view from my room was of the wall. This place was a delight the room was great and I was able to get all my washing done and dried. York was another milestone on my journey – almost but not quite on the home stretch.