National Treasures

We all have a list of places we would like to visit

and things we want to do, don't we.

Well on my recent holiday to Yorkshire and Northumberland

 I have been lucky enough to have done several of the things

on my list although

I can't believe we have been home nearly a week and

I'm only just showing you some photo's.

This was our first stop after leaving Harrogate.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Gardens

were on our way North and it was one of the places on my list.

It's one of those places you see on the T.V quite a lot and 

looks very  atmospheric.  

It certainly lived up to my expectations and Mr T and I 

spent several hours wandering around and sitting by 

one of the lakes drinking coffee in the sunshine.

It was built in the 12th century by Cistercian monks

and is the best preserved abbey of it's kind but fell victim

to the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.

The water gardens are a Georgian addition and 

are set in lovely grounds. It is now run by the National Trust

and is well worth a visit if your near Ripon.

These little fellas were hiding in the eaves of the visitor

centre and had quite an audience.

Next day was Bamburgh Castle which took my breath away.

I have to admit it was not on my list but was 

on our way up the Northumberland coastal route

and was a fantastic place to stop for lunch.

It was too nice a day to actually go inside the castle

and beach was calling us. It gave us a wonderful view.

You can imagine how daunting it looked to attacking armies

can't you.

The local giants left their dice just laying around on the beach.

Next stop Holy Island, Lindesfarne.

This has been near the top of my list for years.

It was mid afternoon before we could cross the causeway to the island

due to the tides but it was worth the wait.

Enough said I think.

I'll leave the rest for another post.

Have a great weekend.

Gillxx