We spent a night listening to the pitter patter of rain. It’s not cold just really miserable. The Wharfe is full up and I am fed up. We need a bit of light.
The river Wharfe…………it is purported to mean twisty in Norse.
On we plodded, up path and down path. Eventually after the only muddy bit I came to this.
A wonderful monument to Frederick Cavendish.
It is complete with it’s own little fountain. This was the best I could do with it. I messed about for a good while but still ended up with blown highlights. There are hoards of people around today which is not improving my temper. I don’t know where my ‘Goodwill to all Mankind’ has gone but it is noticeable by it’s absence.
On we pottered and arrived at church.
First I arrived at the churchyard. Now I’ve seen some funny things in my time but never graves in the form of picnic tables. It seems all the rage around here though. Different! I perhaps ought to settle here, folk are as daft as I am.
First I did the inside of Bolton Priory. It’s a great pity that Henry VIII destroyed so much of these beautiful buildings and that the locals compounded the vandalism by pillaging the stone for barns and houses.
No trip round ruins is complete until I have a view through an arch. Three arches in this case………it must be Christmas.
This is it……………….A grand edifice.
Despite the odd spot of rain and the all pervading gloom I enjoyed the walk and so did the dogs. They were black when we got back but the estate provide a boot wash come dog wash. Very handy, not that Molly and Alfie showed much appreciation.
We got back around one thirty and I did this post…….well I did a post and lost it. It just disappeared. The sun came out so the folk opposite decided to crack a bottle of wine or two in celebration. Then the people next door joined in……….it seemed churlish to ignore a party so I took a bottle. Sunshine and blogging obviously don’t mix.
I shall get out today but also it’s van clean and laundry day.
Have fun till later.
The priory is a fine bit of architecture. Like you say, such a tragedy the old king saw fit to destroy some of our wonderful buildings.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw that monument, I thought it was another one to Queen Eleanor. It looks almost identical; minus the fountain.
A great graveyard too.
Picnic gravestones, brilliant!
Wonderful places.I have always dreamed of going to England and take lots of pictures of the yours architecture....I hope you had a great Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI too dream of England, you've brought me closer to that dream. I would love to touch some of your wonderful history. Maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images, Adrian.
Love the first shot!The arches look very grand. It is a pity they were ruined :( The graves as benches are funny - Were you able to find if there was any particular reason for their preference?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Adrian, shame about the liquid sunshine though!
ReplyDeleteIt got me thinking (a feat in itself!)if good ol' Henry hadn't seen fit to smash these things up would they still be visited in such numbers as they are today? do they hold more interest with a bit of vandalism attached?
I'm intrigued to know more about the reason for those 'table top' grave stones. something in the back of my mind is telling me it's to do with them being more stable in damp conditions!...[;o)
Keith it was well worth the walk. Amazing what there is to find.
ReplyDeleteFaylinn, the UK has plenty of variety. Happy New Year.
Laura, it is worth a visit though it can be expensive.
Ruby, the graves are to keep the dead dry. It never stops raining here.
Trevor, the graves are roofs. They are to stop the dead floating away.
I find ruins a good source of pictures and suspect they do get more than their fair share of attention.
A good impromptu party. They are usually the best sort.
The church needs a bit of work to make it look good, Henry VIII was a little tyrant! As for the weather??????????????????
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Great post!
ReplyDeleteBob, it needs Bob the Builder not Bob the Birder.
ReplyDeleteHilda, thank you very much.
I like the fountain and hope you get a chance to shoot it in better light. The ruins are beautiful, and maybe that's the best light to shoot them in.
ReplyDeleteThe first introduction to ruined abbeys that I can remember was when I was about 4 or 5 and was Vale Crucis Abbey near Llangollen and they've held a fascination ever since. Of course Abbeys that are still in use to enable us to demonstrate our fertile imaginations in worship are even better.
ReplyDeleteYou did well with the arches - almost as good as windows and doors for photos are arches.
And impromptu parties? The best sort. None of that anticipation and preparation. Great.
I think I've been there... Not the graveyard, but Bolton Abbey... /checking my old photo albums/ ... yes, I have! 1974!
ReplyDeleteJoLynne, the light was right...overcast is best for falling water....was just me being a Muppet and hampered by crowds.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I didn't really do the job justice today. It was an excellent party though.
Monica, the graveyard is right next door to the abbey. I would not have bothered with it but noticed the unique graves.
Yea, I spend ages at sites like this looking for the ultimate arch shot too. That's a great monument to Cavendish. It's disrespectful not to provide chairs to go with the tables !!
ReplyDeleteJay, cheers, I think they expect one to bring ones own.
ReplyDelete