Admittedly, the Only Fools and Horses episode was called ‘To Hull and Back’, but I did have a Rodney with me … well, his name does begin with R.
My son is in his final year at sixth form, so he is beginning to look at his options, to see what college will put up with him for x amount of years.
York University advertised their open day on the 29th September, right no problem with that, nice little 360 mile round trip … no problem …
Not for the first time this year, the weather was not going to play ball. Parts of York was flooded, after prolonged rain in the Pennines and Dales that caused the River Ouse to rise to 5 metres above normal, the highest level since the floods of 2000.
We thought the open day would be cancelled, but we then saw on their website it was definitely be going ahead.
We got up early on the Saturday to head towards the floods (hang on haven’t I been here before, but then a little closer to home- Sorry- This Garden is Now Closed! ). We headed up the A1, the weather was perfect from the moment we left home and all the way to York.
We saw only one of the flooded areas on our way, but the University itself was unaffected. After we got all the important things out of the way (how many bars and food shops were there), we had a look round the campus.
Being a Head Gardener from another college, I always like to have a good nose round the gardens … and on this occasion, I’m glad I did!
As you can see, there is lots of water but no floods …
Student Union….
Have you guessed what it is yet….
Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria’, one of my favourites.
I don’t think they can really complain about their view…
Now this gives me an idea…
Now I want one these where I work, but I certainly would not get it sign posted though.
What a wonderful university, friendly, relaxed, lovely surroundings and plenty of water but not flooded. We enjoyed the day and we also got got the important stuff done as well.
Thanks for sharing. Lovely pictures. All the best
Thanks- glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Looks really nice there- the pick-your-own garden is a great idea! a long trip for you if he goes there, but could be worse!
Ah yes, York; I lived there the first year when I emigrated and I found the flooding alarming THEN, but seeing that path behind the buildings by the river totally GONE is unnerving…I used to walk that path.
The York Uni gardens are spectacular – marred by the rather boring 70s concrete architecture. And all the duck-crap everywhere. But I suppose it’s good fertiliser! And I can’t help but think York University was the perfect place to film Seed Of Evil – old Tom Baker Dr Who episode about the alien plant which grows and threatens to take over the world. Made Triffids look like wimps.
If son is in IT, then York is still the best Uni to attend. Good luck to child, and glad you managed to get out of York without having to resort to a boat.
Lovely gardens – perfect for lounging in the sun while studying. I love the carved tree, that has to be the best use for a dead tree. The green spaces at Bangor (where I went to uni) were mostly on a forty-five degree slope but this makes me want to go back and look at them with gardener’s eyes.
It is a great place- we found it very friendly and relaxing. 🙂