Nunnington Hall - Yorkshire

Nunnington Hall is a beautiful Tudor Manor house in the Yorkshire dales. We visited because it houses the worlds largest collection of minature dolls houses and scenes. The toy collection through the ages is extensive as well.

I took a load of photos, but have chose a few to share. The lady of the manor had miniatures of her home here - or her other homes made and decorated with actual fabrics and incidentals ( plates, chandeliers, paintings) The collection is exquisite in its detail and simply priceless. 

There was a section for kids to dress up in the era that the home was in its 'hey day' Lily chose to be a flapper and loves the feeling of gloves and jewellery. 

Tudor dark wood rooms. I love the paneling and the floorboards.

A tribute to the hunting craze of the gentry. So many skins and heads. It was a bit creepy to be honest.

The gardens are renown as one of the finest in the area. It has a huge organic walled kitchen garden and beautifully manicured hedges and formal gardens.  One of the stories that I loved, was that in winter, the lord woudl flood the front garden and allow it to freeze ( doing this several times for several layers of ice.) and then the children and family would go skating on the a huge rink it formed. 

Life as a monk Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple

I guess by now we have slipped into our roles here at the Buddhist Temple. I think, with only a few reservations, I'd be happy to continue here for a few months. Its peaceful and the people here are accommodating and kind. The volunteer work is not dreadful, though the hours are long and gives very little opportunity for the kids to do their homeschooling, or for us to see any of the sights around the area.

The kids are pictured here dinging the meal gong, which needs to be sounded in a few places around the mansion.

Our day starts when we wander down to the communal hall for breakfast. We help ourselves to what is there, generally there is apples and oranges, sometimes there is yoghurt, but there is always rice bubbles and cornflakes as well as bread for toast. 

We have mediation classes directly afterwards, which then leads to our work meeting to direct volunteers to do what is required for the morning, or day. We've been doing gardening almost exclusively, but have been assigned to assist with the B and B part of the temple, in the laundry; which is great as it means a bit of a change.  The kids have been positive the whole time and work hard alongside me. I'm not sure many other kids would continue the way they have been. 

Lunch is the main meal of the day and one we all look forward to, as the different monks are assigned to prepare it every day. Some are great cooks. Some have talents which may not be in the culinary arts.

We work until 5.30; giving a little time before dinner, which is sometimes toast and soup, other times a baked potato and beans, and other times a pasta dish. One thing is certain, you won't put on weight while working here.

The evenings are generally clear if you aren't interested in joining in on the chants and prayer sessions. Its given us a good space to quieten the mind and reflect on the huge journey we have just undertaken. 

We've spoken a little to some of the monks - who join us for some meals. Dordy is a real character and has really upset the apple cart on my perception of what a monk is. He is covered in tats and is a self professed previous 'bad boy'. He has found real peace and harmony here, a real connection with his place in the universe. Its wonderful to sit with him and laugh and hear his perception on certain topics. 

before and after shots of the carpark - our job at Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple - Yorkshire

One of our primary jobs while we were at the Buddhist Temple was to clear the weeds and grass in the main carpark.

This carpark is the one that guests to the four star B and B used, as well as for the guests who came to eat at the wonderful world peace cafe. 

The car park is supposed to have white pebbles across is, but instead was overgrown in thick grass, inches of soil and weeds. There were also random piles of bricks and pallets of rubbish, making some of the area inaccessible for cars to park in.

Though we had an array of tools to use, we found that hand picking was one of the quickest ways to get rid of them all. And yes - before anyone comments - because we were working within the constraints of the beliefs of our work placement, we couldn't use any poisons or harmful substances.

The three of us got into a bit of a rhythm and worked as a team to loosen the weeds with a nail rake, rake up the remains of white pebbles and then start pulling the weeds. It was pretty intensive and hot work, but like our walk on the camino, a calming activity where we had no other responsibilities other than to weed and to be.  I actually don't mind menial work.  A long time ago, I was told in acting school that there was no such thing as a 'small part' in a film or a play, only small actors. I have brought that with me in my worklife. All tasks have a place. Some are given more importance than others, just as some are more urgent  than others. Besides, menial tasks give you the freedom to think freely and most people leave you alone to continue your work. Its a good place to be alot of the time. 

I took photos over the four days we worked on the carpark. I'm glad we did as it was a pretty relentless task and it made us feel good to see the stones gradually appear.