We arrived at Ripon to rain, found our lovely unit over looking the main market place in town, right above spec savers.
The trip here was thru the Niddledale region but the whole day was a long and tiring drive with many of the roads tiny single lanes, hilly and windy but stunning scenery
Day 1
An easy day in Ripon.
The weather has changed and is damp and windy
We visited the Cathedral which had a crypt from the 600s and embroided cushions around the church showing its long history.
Then visited the Workers museum where in 1800s poor people could get refuge a bath and food two days a month.
Then Lunch at Weatherspoons pub and
A relaxed afternoon!
The hornblower came out every night at 9 pm and blew his horn on the four sides of the oblesik in the Market square and our apt window looked out on to this Square.
Day 2
Knaresborough perched above the River Nidd, lovely town who’s castle dates from 1130 and areas around the town date back to the bronze period 800 bc
The viaduct spans the river and cafes and row boat hire are along waterside.
Harrogate 1570 is Englands first spa town. the royal baths were built in 1897 over Kissingen well.
We walked around town past the theatre, Royal hall.,the spa baths and into the museum of the Royal baths where we learnt about the use of the baths for wellness.
The afternoon we visited Fountains abbey a Monastery 900 years old and the roof was destroyed by Henry the 8 th .
Then we walked through the Studley Royal water Gardens a Unesco site.
Day 3
A drive through the Dales, such gorgeous scenery even through the gloomy weather.
Pateley bridge
A walk around town and over the River Nidd this town is gateway to Nidderdale.
Grassington
A pretty town and capital of Upper Wharfedale. A market town with cobbled streets from the 13th Century, a mining community.
A walk to Linton walks noted for its white rocks with black patches of weed.
This was followed by a walk around town , it is known for filming of All creatures great and small.
A poughmans for lunch!
Then a drive to Malham the heart of the dales and a walk to see Malham Cove a huge limestone cliff.
Back to Ripon
Day 4
Ripon canal was built in 1773 for coal transport and today we did a half hour canal cruise.
Looked at the markets in the square and had an easy day.
York originally started in the Roman times 71 AD then was conquered by the Anglo saxons in the 5th century and it became the capital of Northumbria
In 867 AD it fell to the vikings
In 954AD it was back in the hands of the Anglo saxons and King Eadred of Wessex
then came the Norman conquest, which had a dramatic affect on England and the city was destroyed by William the Conqueror after the dust settled York began to flourish.
Minister at York started as a wooden church 627 AD and then within 6 years became the first Minister and the new cathedral was built by the Norman Archbishop Thomas Bayeaux who replaced Anglo Saxon leaders of the church with his own men.
Thomas Bayeux was named archbishop of York. Archbishops improved the cathedral to prove their status.The minister was completed in 1472.
The crypt is the oldest section with roman and Norman fixtures, like the doomsday piece below. doom stone mouths of hell 12c
The east window dates back to 1405 but was renovated in 2018 It is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass.
chapter house 1290C
We also visited
Cliffords tower which is the only surviving part of the castle founded by William the Conqueror 1087.
We walked around York and through The shambles 14th Century
and markets and other areas of York
St Marys abbey now a ruin
Went to the city walls 14th Century and the river.
The bath house had a small part of the Roman baths…the caldarium ,the hot room of the baths
Lunch was special, I tried the local specialty …..Yorkshire pudding.
Hornblower at 9pm every night, WTF, I’d be in bed asleep 💤