Yorkshire Dales- Fountain Abbey and York

We had run out of ideas today so we decided to followed Helen and Chris out to an Abbey that they wanted to see. Not just any Abbey, but Fountain Abbey, National Trust, World Heritage, important stuff. We borked at the entrance fee much to my dads disgust and decided to explore the extensive estate instead. First on the agenda was the deer park where a huge heard was spotted almost immediately. Then we followed the path through some beautiful country estate gardens. The path led though an area known as nine bridges where nine dry stone bridge zig zagged across the river. In the valley are enormous old trees. Having been in the dales where there is little forest, this was quite amazing.

So mesmerized by the landscape we kept walking (with no map). We then discovered these little markers which Pete swears he saw back at the entrance (he actually did, but it was a through walk, not a circuit). These led us through cow paddocks, farms, and eventually into another estate. At this point we had half an hour to get back and no real idea where we were. We got a few vague directions from the residents, but it wasn't until we asked at the eloquent Yorkshire riding school that we got back on track. An hour and half later we arrived back at the car, not really knowing where we had been, but our feet definitely sore for it.

That afternoon we decided to head off to York to explore England's biggest Gothic cathedral, the Minster, and the small winding cobbled shopping district. But first a tasty coffee stop, wow what a surprise great coffee! Around and into the cathedral packed with French school children (just like Canterbury). Then off into town, we discovered quiet quickly the predominance of pubs and all things relating to beer. Several bottle shops just specialising in local and international beers, stocking the usual Boags and Coppers selections. The city center is lovely with cobbled narrow streets and small shops squeezed into the old buildings. There was the constant threat of rain with a giant black cloud looming all afternoon. We just making it back in time before it bucketed.

Off to the pub for a Friday meal out. We arrived famish after this days exploits and rather large detour on the way home. Lovely warm pub in just down the road. Pete didn't break tradition with fish and chips followed by sticky toffee pudding, yum!