Despite the awful weather and a week of the lurgy we made ourselves chuck some things into our battered little caravan and on Saturday trundled North for a long planned stay in the Yorkshire Dales. And blimey it was the best thing we've done for ages!
The sun came out and we visited Woody's childhood holiday haunts at the amazing Brimham Rocks and the very charming Pateley Bridge (where I reckon we had the most delicious fish & chips ever). I couldn't get over the scale and space the rocks covered, acres and acres of weird and wonderful geological monuments with the most astounding views across Nidderdale and beyond. It was absolutely breathtaking.
It was the most perfect day of watching the tide creep in, boys making new friends, eating more fish & chips and feeling the sun warm us right through. Never thought we'd be spending a day on the beach. I feel so lucky that we did.
We spent the Bank Holiday exploring a stunningly green gorge (which was a bit hair raising with an overactive 6 year old if I'm honest) but unforgettable. Later we visited a place I've read and studied about for years but haven't ever got to visit before.
Fountains Abbey was one of the greatest monastic houses in Britain during the Middle Ages. At university I was completely absorbed by the whole world of the Cistercian monks and how their English houses came to dominate.
My dad grew up in the city with a small Cistercian monastery underneath his school with finds and even skeletons being dug up on his estate. His stories sparked my interest in medieval history and I did my first ever bit of archaeology at that tiny site as a volunteer, so seeing its big sister was pretty overwhelming for me.
The boys mostly enjoyed hurtling around and exploring, but that's what got me started too so all good.
We had such an amazing three days. Even the rain came at the right time, just as we were settling down to bed and for our journey home.
A brilliant Bank Holiday. Hope yours was too. xxx
16 comments:
Beautiful trip!You got so many wonderful photos!I love England!!!!!!!!!
What a lovely looking weekend. I agree that sometimes getting out is the best rest of all. It has been years since we were in that area but I love Nidderdale and Fountains Abbey - it is an amazing place. I always walk around places like that and imagine the lives that were lead there, sometimes you can almost feel the past in the stones. Does that sound stupid? I love history. Beautifull pictures as always - hope you have a good week x
Especially love your coastal shots. So many people enjoyed a sunny bank holiday weekend, I think we all needed to feel the sun.
Such beautiful pictures! My Gran lived in Ripon so we spent every summer in North Yorks and Brimham Rocks and Fountains in particular are very familiar much-loved haunts for me. Glad the weather was kind to you. x
Wow that looks absolutely fabulous it really makes me want to visit the area. It looks like you had a lovely time.
Oh lucky you! We rented a cottage in Pateley bridge a few years ago,and fell in love with the area.
Glad the weather was kind to you all.
Bellaboo X
Gorgeous photos from what looks like a fab weekend - did you visit the sweet shop in Pateley Bridge? It's reputedly the oldest in England and is like stepping back in time...
What an outing. Such sweet memories for you, hubby and the boys! We are taking our caravan out for its first journey this coming weekend and looking at your pictures has made me even more excited!!
Sounds like a fantastic weekend. I'm from Yorkshire so know all those places pretty well. We're having a Yorkshire weekend in September, planning on visiting the moors and the coast. I already can't wait. Fiona x
oh what a glorious trip. We have a family holiday to Staithes each year, and the weather isn't always like that, it is indeed wild when the wind blows! fabulous though. and oh how I love Fountains Abbey, must try and include a trip there when again soon, sometimes they light it up at night, truly magical x
Beautiful bright cottages and boats and your photos of Fountains Abbey took me right back to when I visited it as a student at Leeds many years ago. Claire xo
Beautiful photographs. I've always wanted to visit Fountains Abbey and now Staithes is added to the list of places to visit in Yorkshire — I'm starting to think we need to do a proper road trip starting with S Yorks and working our way round! We have family in Wakefield and friends elsewhere, so no excuses really. Lovely post.
A lovely and inspiring post, I really enjoyed reading it and what beautiful photographs!
It looks gorgeous Steph and a jolly good idea too.
I really should pester my mister to travel North - him being a northerner and all, but I fear he's taken too much of a liking for the South.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Nina x
Love the photos and it makes me want to go there. Lucy at Attic24 was in the area also I think. Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Steph
Glad you loved Yorkshire we are so lucky to live here. We have put our caravan on a farm site at Whitby near the Abbey for the season this year and so far have had some great weekends. Have you ever been on the North Yorkshire Railway? That again is a fabulous area and I know you like Richmond, nearby is the Wenselydale Railway as well,with the Forbidden Corenr not far away for those boys of yours. Lovely pics and lovely mugs I am off to Google them!
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