After we left Bath, we spent a day traveling via car and train and even some on foot to make our way to the Petersen's home in the village of Darley. It was quite an adventure since Michelle and I took the two older kids on the train... 4 trains, and then a bus, and then a bit of a walk before we were picked up by a random kind stranger on the side of the road, who delivered us home. Caleb and Lauritz drove back with baby Thomas, and lots of road construction. They finally arrived just a few minutes after we did, and we settled in for a great following day.
We were able to spend 2 days sightseeing and traveling around Yorkshire and the first was one of our favorite days in England. We got up in the morning and went for a run on the footpaths near Darley, I forgot the camera, but it was so beautiful, even if there was a strong smell of cows all the way.
Our next stop was in the village of Ripley- at Ripley Castle. It is an estate still owned by the original family of Ingleby's. Only part of the castle is open for tours because they actually still live there.
We had a great tour guide who was a historian that had spent years in the castle and the area, and had a great dry sense of humor. He knew so many little facts and tidbits and could answer any question that was asked about anything in the castle. The tower room was one of the oldest original rooms in England, and full of great old military gear for all different eras.
The ground and building were so beautiful in the warm sun, tho only the red ivy let on that it was actually fall.
After the castle, we walked through 4 of the gardens, and there were still flowers blooming!
After the castle, we had a delicious meal at the Darley pub and then headed to an amazing site- Fountains Abbey. This was definetely a top 3 for both Caleb and I on places that we visited.
Parts of the Abbey dated back to 800AD and it had been abandoned since about 1600. It was so incredible to walk through the ruins and the grounds and imagine what it must have been like at it's prime. And as an added bonus- the day continuing to be amazing.
Part of the temple ruins next to the main Abbey.
Maggie and I in a temple window.
Only this stone roof remained intact, all of the wooden ones had been removed to keep armies from hiding inside old castles and church buildings.
Caleb decided he wanted to look down into the tower stairs, so he climbed... not sure if he was supposed to do that, but no one told him not to.
One portion of the gate had a river running under it, but the building was so solid it was impossible to tell.
Soaking in the sun with these cute friends.
The main chapel... what it must have been like. It was so quiet and peaceful.
Near the front altar.
After the Abbey had been abandon for years, it was sold to someone who bought the estate and land nearby and converted some of the land into an elaborate garden. It is called Studley Gardens after the owner.
The owner built these lakes to run down toward each other always at the same level with a series of complex aqueducts that are one of a kind. It is wild to think of how much money was spent to create these areas and gardens just for the sake a house guests being able to wander around and be impressed.
Though all of the pomp worked on me, I was impressed for sure.
All along the lakes there were just dozens of pheasants and geese. There was even an area that looked like it housed about 50 pheasant nests. It was fascinating to see them all across the water nesting.
At the end of the Studley Gardens, a view of the natural lake
The view of the manmade lakes on such a picturesque evening.
Petersen Family photo with everyone cooperating after run laps around the lakes and chasing geese.
Baby Thomas was such a trooper being dragged around all day, but he was soaking up the sun.
Our walk back through the park to the Abbey as the sun was setting.
After the Abbey Caleb had his second fish and chips meal of the day. I would say he got his fill of the English specialty.
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