Mission Ends August 8th---Touring Now

We found a free Internet connection in Taybarns, the ultimate eatery, which we can use because we are staying at a Premier Inn attached to it.  We left on the 8th and are driving a hybrid Toyota.  It should save us a lot in fuel.  I love that the rear view window has a corner where it shows what is behind you, with little "helper" lines to show how far to go, etc.  There will be a lot of pictures and catch up when we finally have a regular connection that doesn't take hours to upload photos.  It was nice just to check with a few emails and be sure all is well.

Since we are not released officially as missionaries, even though our mission ended, we still wear our name badges and give out pass-along cards.  Any opportunity that comes along for us to to share the gospel, we take it.  It seems strange to not be doing our regular mission duties and it really hasn't sunk in yet.  It probably won't happen until we are actually off U.K. soil and stepping off of the plane in Utah.

The most awe inspiring thing we have seen thus far is the York Minster.  I shall write more about it later.  We also stood on Hadrian's Wall, that is a couple thousand years old, built by the Romans.  Everything is so ancient.  We are searching for anything old, old, old.  It is hard to believe these buildings are still standing after thousands of years.  The Minster's history goes back thousands of years.  It is interesting that it is called a Minster and not a cathedral because it sent missionaries out from there.

Elder Blain contemplating the Romans once standing here as they built this wall

Sister Blain laughing about standing on a 2,000 year old wall

Part of the York Minster

View after climbing 200 some odd stairs--whew!

We eventually climbed to the very top of this monster minster-somewhere around 275 steps totally-winding, narrow staircase.

More magnificent information on this oldest and largest Minsters in the world.

Elder Blain is dressed in his casual clothing and not looking very holy compared to the man next to him in the robes.  Guess which one has the authentic priesthood?