Olde York

My current assistant, whose strength is as the strength of ten and whose will is iron, has decided that we must go through all my old Travel files, as they are taking up far more than their share of space in the drawers. This is because in them you will find such treasures as a 1995 brochure for the Winchester Mystery House, a 1982 Manhattan bus map, an undated plan of Ghirardelli Square, a Guide to Small Hotels of Herefordshire, a listing of country houses in Somerset, train schedules for Exeter, and ohhh, so much more that might be useful if the Internet did not exist (and time did not move on). Four folders in, and may I say that the Files have already grown much thinner? Not that I'm not keeping the Guide to Wells Cathedral with my notes on the back saying how I was going to spend my 2 days in Bath on the very first solo trip I took to England the summer I was 19 . . . a magical trip, as such trips are. I had a BritRail pass, and the desire to visit places I'd read about in books (as long as they were on the train line, or - in the case of Dartmoor - a bus). Each place I arrived, I went to the Tourist Office to see what Bed & Breakfast accomodations were available within walking distance. Friends of those days may remember stories of the Mad Vicar of Bovey Tracey, not to mention the Alms House of Moretonhampstead, where they dried my socks on the Aga in the fireplace, and my window, set in stone wall a good foot thick, looked out on the moor. And the people in the local hotel where I joined the Swiss couple for supper always saved me the last slice of wild blackberry pie, because I loved it so. The Alms House is, I think, no longer lived in by a family at all - it's become Historic - and certainly they're not renting out the tiny room at the top of the stairs. However, that folder also contained a crumpled card in fine script:

Mrs. H. Healey
The Georgian Guest House
35, Bootham, York.

Oh, York! It was so perfect. A slightly larger establishment, they came 'round at breakfast with a cart containing many different jams, and I tried them all, cutting my toast into tiny triangles so I could have one on each. They thought I was adorable - and I was, too. I was sure the Georgian was also long gone - but it's not! It's here! And still operating!! Shall I go back? No. Mrs. Healey is no longer there. I will send you, instead, to have your own adventures. The menu still offers "A selection of conserves & spreads".

While poking around Virtual York online, I also came across the delightful Past Images website, which offers - well, you know those photos at fairs here, where you dress up in Victorian polyester? Honey, it's York. The Past Images service is entirely bespoke and suited to the individual customer's needs. We can help you with what to wear, how to stand or where to look but we will also listen. There are also sample photos of their work. They are priceless, priceless, priceless. I think the Large Viking Family may be the best. Though the Fairies at the Bottom of my Garden ones are pretty great.