Day 7 - Melrose & York - A Travel Day

Our group outside Melrose Abby. We're smiling because we've finally seen some sun! The tower bell at Melrose Abby The "Border Piper" serenading us with "Rock Around the Clock" (yes - really!) as we cross the Scotland/England border. We left Edinburgh at 8:30 this morning and began the long journey to York - with a few quick stops along the way. This is our first long trip on the bus since the trip began, but Graeme (our bus driver) has stocked the cooler with bottled water and soft drinks, available to the group for only 60 pence each - very reasonable. Most settle in with IPods, books or puzzles (or take a nap) to pass the time. Joyce, our tour manager, keeps a running commentary on the history of the UK and important land marks that we pass. Our first stop on the trip leads us to Melrose Abby - a border abby that is mostly in ruins. Its a beautiful pink stone with tons of history. After a brief introduction from one of the Abby guides, we explore on our own for about an hour. Then back on the bus to continue on our way to York. Next, we make a brief photo stop at the Scotland/England border (Keith Rowland lets out a big sigh of relief - its good to be home!). There we meet the "Border Piper" who serenades the crowds. As we are boarding the bus to continue our journey, he breaks into "Rock Around the Clock" - and we thought it sounded strange on bells! We continue the drive through the rolling hills of England - dotted with sheep and cattle and covered alternately with pine trees and heather. A truly beautiful site that can not be captured one camera - I tried and the photos pale in comparison to the real thing. I wish I could share it with you! Another brief stop at a small portion of the Hadrian Wall - built across a 70+ mile stretch of the UK when it was part of the Roman Empire. Joyce tells us that you can sometimes see a Roman Centurian still patrolling the ruins. Next - a service stop for lunch and then back on the bus for the final two hours to York. Upon our arrival in York, we race through the streets of Your to the Minster in hopes of making the 4:00 PM Evensong Service. A few make it before the doors are closed - but most of us are left outside to just hear a wonderful serman and closing hymn. The Minster is on our tour schedule for tomorrow, so we head back to the hotel to settle in and have a group dinner. Tomorrow we tour York and then travel to Beverly to see true York-style off-the-table ringing and socialize with some fellow ringers here in the UK. We will play a few songs for them as well. Oh - I almost forgot. Malcolm Wilson sent this link to a wonderful video on YouTube of our performance of his "Amazing Grace" at Dunblane Cathedral. I hope you enjoy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTGqcP1MM7w More tomorrow!