Fountains
June 14th, 2010 , 19:44
Had a lovely dinner and more drinks then off to bed. Up in the morning and sorted to head to Ripon and Fountain Abbey. It was still grey and cloudy but mostly dry and we had a walk around Thirsk before heading out. Saw the market set up and had a wander.
Off toward Ripon and had a lovely drive. Got there as it opened so perfect timing – we about the second couple in! Walked down to the abbey, with Joe taking photos as we went. We spent a good two hours just around the abbey, didn’t get to see the gardens or the church or the rest of the site! So another place to return someday.
The ruins are very impressive, especially as there are ravens all over. Toward the end of our visit the school groups were coming in so we had three groups of little ‘monks’ walking around. Apparently they dress them up in robes for the tour!
At about noon we headed out to get to Cheltenham. We drove from Ripon to Pateley Bridge in the dales. We took the B roads through the dales and Grassington to Skipton and the A59 down to Preston and the M6. Then it was just M6 to M5 to Cheltenham with a quick stop at the services just south of Birmingham for a short break.
Now settled in, had a look through the photos and Joe is getting camera equipment ready for the photo day at Slimbridge tomorrow.
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