jacey: (Default)
jacey ([personal profile] jacey) wrote2008-05-12 01:24 pm

Sociable Weekend - Part Two

So having walked my little feet off on Saturday in the wood,  our mission for Sunday was to walk them off again at Fountains Abbey and arrive at Richmond in time for fish and chips and the Tanglefoot concert. Mission accomplished. [personal profile] maeve_the_red, D and I (leaving Best Beloved to catch up with studio work) set off north in the morning, picnic akimbo, heading for Fountains, along with half of Yorkshire. Luckily Fountains is big enough to accommodate all of Yorkshire. In fact, though I have been there before, I'd forgotten just how big it is. Founded in 1132, it's the largest monastic ruin in the country.

The Knave, Faountains Abbey

Romanesque Arch

Not quite sure how or why Henry VIII managed to leave the lid on the cellarium, but the fact that he did has left an exceptionally fine bit of no-nonsense stone vaulting.
Cellarium

We thought at first that this overgrown tunnel where the river Skell vanishes into blackness was the road to Hell but on second thoughts could find no paving slabs shaped like good intentions.
Road to hell?

[personal profile] maeve_the_red defying gravity
Maeve the Red

We made it to Richmond just as the shops were closing but managed to procure a pint of refreshment followed by fish and chips before the excellent Tanglefoot concert at the Georgian Theatre Royal. Arrived back home around midnight, tired out and happy.

[personal profile] maeve_the_red and D are brilliant houseguests and we look forward to having them come back again. Skipton Castle, next, time. maeve, right?

OK back to work now.

[identity profile] brownnicky.livejournal.com 2008-05-12 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds great. I think I went to Fountains Abbey on a couple of school trips and Skipton was always a favourite and not far away from where I used to live. We occasionally went shopping there back in the day when Fenwicks was 'Brown and Muffs'

[identity profile] birdsedge.livejournal.com 2008-05-12 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I love Skipton Castle because it feels small enough to move into but big enough to be completely castle-like. The inner courtyard with the big yew tree is gobsmacking.

As for shops in Skipton, I don't think I've ever taken much notice. I've usually been there for the castle, so not on a regular shopping day. I can't even remember seeing a Fenwicks

[identity profile] ferlonda.livejournal.com 2008-05-12 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Gorgeous photos, Jacey!

How are your feet??

[identity profile] birdsedge.livejournal.com 2008-05-12 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks.

Feet know they've been walking, as do hips and knees. But it was worth it.