Tour Days 10 & 11: Roman Army Museum, Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda, York
Day 10, Tuesday Today was about Roman history and goodbyes. At the Roman Army Museum, we viewed exhibits and displays about the life of Roman soldiers. I enjoyed the excellent film on the history and structure of the Roman Army.
We parked and hiked up to Hadrian’s Wall where we took a group photo. Then on to Vindolanda, an active Roman archaeological dig where they are still finding artifacts today. Down the hill from the dig is a museum and café where our group went for lunch.
Vindolanda was a WOW moment for me. I had packed a picnic lunch so stayed at the dig. There are 4 words that can apply to any situation “This to shall pass.” As I sat alone overlooking the serenity of the landscape and dig, that phase took on new meaning, as I thought of the generations of people who had been here before me.
We said good bye to our coach driver James on the way to historic York. In York, Roy and Liz took us on a walking orientation tour including the city walls. We passed Roy’s favorite model trains store to window shop. Then on to walk on the top of the medieval city wall . Our group dinner was at an Indian restaurant where I had my first taste of Indian cuisine.
Group with Roy and James at Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall
Saying good bye to James
Climbing up for view of the length of Hadrian's Wall
Vindolanda, a child's grave from AD 213 and our guide showing us artifacts found at the dig
Hadrian's Wall Bus at Vindolanda named AD122
Day 11, Wednesday
We toured York Minster, Gothic church with beautiful stained glass. One of the guides and I discussed the fictional town of Lake Wobegon when he found out I was from Minnesota.
Roy took some folks to the National Railway Museum. Liz took the rest of us to high tea at Betty’s.
Rest of the day we were free to explore. Later some of us meet back at the York ministry for evensong.
Tip: Boots, on Coney Street, has a photo section where I was able to get our group photos made into prints. I gave them as gifts to our guides and tour members.
York Ministry Guides
Roy's Favorite Store in York
Roy giving history lession of York. The green and black boxes around our necks on some photos are audio guides provided by RS Tours. That way we can hear even over back ground noise.