Fountains Abbey

I went to Fountains Abbey years ago by myself and had always vowed to take Age .. And the kids to it. So beautiful and peaceful. 

I found it incredible that much of the buildings were designed to be built over the top of the streams and river. There wasn't a shortage of land - so there myst have been a different reason.  

The model in the Porters Hall shows the expansive  buildings as they may have been before it was torn down and sold off in bits by King Henry the Eighth in the 15th century. So sad to see such a successful estate go to ruins. 

Took lots and lots of  atmospheric shots with the kids. They had s fantastic time jumping and climbing the half walls, peeking round columns and leaping out of windows.

  

Wonderful Warwick!

Although we spent mist of the day yesterday in Warwick Castle, the kids enjoyed exploring it so much, we came back for a few hours. 

We had time to climb each tower and walk the ramparts as well as wanderthe expansive   gardens. I went to the Royal afternoon tea ( set in 1898) which was simply charming... I don't think I could have lived back then though..

The views from the battlements were amazing.- but I sure felt those 550 stairs.

Wandering the countryside though, makes me realise how much Age and I saw and did when we were here.

Its just a matter now to revisit spots the kids will connect with at their appropriate ages. Stratford -on -Avon did nothing for them..

Druids Temple

Follys were all the rage in the 1800s. It seems that there was a shortage of work for townsfolk, so the local lord hired a team if workers to construct a stonehenge type temple. It was constructed in the 1820s and became quite the attraction piece. Its spectacular and little wonder it still attracts all sorts of interest.

There is a cave at the end with luminescent moss.. Very eerie and quite cool.

Doomsday Church at Masham

Quaint old church in the Norman style just beside where we stayed last night.

Its mentioned in the doomsday book of 1066, but is reputed to have been built in the 8 th century. It still blows my mind thinking about wandering round sites as old as this.

 

Thank goodness for digital photography... I'd have reels and reels of images of old gravestones and creeping ivy.. Well.. I have a photo log full of them..