Sat 4th June 2022 Every Saturday, there is a large car boot sale in Bedale. Arranged by the local council, each week sees a different charity benefit from the stall rentals. Charities and other local organisations enter via a lottery process. An excellent car boot sale it turned out to be, and many purchases later, …
North Yorkshire (3): Thorp Perrow Arboretum
Fri 3rd June 2022 Thorp Perrow Arboretum is only a couple of miles or so from the campsite at Bedale. We planned to spend the full day there, so we took Fufu along. View over the lake towards the formal garden near the house On arrival, we were informed that there would be a falconry …
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North Yorkshire (2): Rievaulx Terrace and Thirsk
Thu 2nd June 2022 Rievaulx Terrace Rievaulx Terrace was constructed to overlook the abbey, by the local landowner, Thomas Duncombe II, who wanted to create a pleasant view for the family and visitors to his house. Apparently it was fashionable to have ruins in your garden at the time. The terrace is now in the …
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North Yorkshire (1): Medieval Ruins
As you might have gathered from previous blog posts, we love visiting Yorkshire (please don't let the locals know as we are from Lancashire and they might not let us back in). This time, we chose an area we have visited before; the Yorkshire Dales, north of York, around Ripon, Thirsk and Bedale. Tue 31st …
Keswick and N. Cumbria (4): Lowther Castle and Shap Abbey
Tuesday 17th May Our last day of the trip, but before heading home, we visited Lowther Castle and Shap Abbey. Lowther Castle and Gardens Lowther Castle consists of the impressive ruins of a large stately home and its surrounding gardens which are being gradually restored. The buildings had been de-roofed after all the contents were …
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Keswick and N. Cumbria (3): Cockermouth and Bassenthwaite Lake
Monday 16th May After the exertions of Sunday's walk, we decide to take Fufu for a drive around Bassenthwaite Lake and on to the town of Cockermouth to visit Wordsworth's childhood home. On the way, we called in at The Lakes Distillery where we acquired a bottle of their finest. Entrance to the distillery They …
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Keswick and N. Cumbria (2): Dewentwater and Ashness Bridge
Sunday 15th May We decided to undertake a more ambitious walk on Sunday, over Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge at the southern end of Derwentwater. Quite a steep route, but with breathtaking views over the lake on the way. Looking back towards Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance Catbells The southern end of the lake …
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Keswick and N. Cumbria (1): Castlerigg, Keswick and Friars Crag
Friday 13th and Saturday 14th May, 2022 Swiftly following our return from France, we took Fufu away for a few days to Keswick, staying at Castlerigg Farm Campsite with the Camping and Caravanning Club, Lakeland District Association. Castlerigg Stone Circle - Friday 13th May After setting up on-site, we walked through to Castlerigg Stone Circle, …
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France, Apr-May 2022 (4): Homeward bound
Our return home is much the same as the journey out, but in reverse as you would expect; ...we stay overnight in Caen, before catching the ferry back to the UK, the following morning. This means that if we get away from the house promptly, we have time to visit somewhere en-route. This time, we …
France, Apr-May 2022 (3): Out and About
Rather than make a separate blog post for each or our trips out and about, I have combined them into one post. 18th April - The Grand Etang La Jemaye About 20 minutes drive from our house is La Jemaye, an area of woodland through which there are a number of walks. There are also …

