Wending My Way Northwards

I’ve had a lovely time with cousins, and their adult childrens’ families.  It has been such a treat to re-connect with family, and meet the younger generation for the first time.

Onward to my cousins in Nottingham.  We went to Lincoln for a day, visiting the grand cathedral with its Lincoln Imp, and the castle where we saw one of the original Magna Carta documents and I learned a bit about King John and Henry III.  And I found out about misericords in the cathedral - ornately carved ledges where the clergy could rest their bottoms whilst looking like they were standing up during long services. The old cobbled streets and olde worlde tea shops were delightful.

spot the imp

a msericord

Lincoln

Heading north again – to another family stopover near Leeds, via Sherwood Forest.

Met Robin Hood along the way

a mighty oak in Sherwood Forest. 

North Yorkshire scenery

Spent a day at Fountains Abbey. Even in ruins it is very impressive. If you can spot the people in this picture, it will give you an idea of the scale.  The first monks moved to this site in 1132 in search of a simpler, more devout life than they had in York.  They were nicknamed the ‘white monks’ because of the woolen habits that they wore.  With the help of the laybrothers the abbey grew wealthy. By the mid 1200s it had become one of the leading producers and exporters of wool.  The abbey was brought to a close by Henry VIII, during the dissolution of the monasteries.

weeping willow in the abbey grounds

more amazing architecture at Fountains Abbey

So then it was time to say goodbye to family for now and head to Scarborough.  My b&b is in the house on the quay, 2^nd from the left – 3 storey house with red roof, built as a fisherman’s home around 1720

View across the harbour, from my bedroom window at dusk, watching the small fishing boats returning with the day’s catch

Scarborough is an odd mix - a pretty harbour, fishing boats and old houses, but with an overly-generous splattering of fish and chips cafes, sticks of sugary seaside rock, amusement arcades and tacky souvenirs.  Only visiting for one night, then off to dance.

It must be at least 13 degrees. Let's go to the beach and paddle and make sandcastles