From here...
(and back!)
This week there was no need for tools as the NCVs had a week off and went for their summer walk instead. Liz planned for them to complete the 6.5 mile circular route from Fountains Abbey to Markenfield Hall, which you can see in full in the leaflet linked to HERE. Not only that, she had organised a delicious picnic lunch for everyone. Thanks LIz!!!!!
Here are the highlights from the day....
Excellent turn out this week -
could it be something to do with
the lack of task or, perhaps,
the free lunch?
"Now David - what did you order?"
"The 12 course taster menu Liz."
And then they were off along
the boundary wall with views
across to Fountains Hall...
....and the Abbey itself.
Dave stopped and had a long
conversation with a horse.
The horse belonged to the owner of this little abode.
Then it was on to How Hill and the 14th century
Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel...
...from which there were excellent
views of the surrounding countryside.
After a coffee break (including a tasty
flapjack - part of the picnic provided)
the gang continued on their way.
The way led down an old path
bordered on both sides by an old hedge.
Then it was over a stile...
...and on to Markenfield Hall which
dates back to the 1300s.
At lunchtime everyone enjoyed a sit in the sun...
...and a high quality picnic
(provided by Julie Hardcastle
of Nidd Way Catering).
David and Will pretended to be book ends.
Now - what is of interest through the fence?
Go through the gate to have a better look.
Of course! It's the Mackershaw area
of the Studley Royal deer park.
And, just behind you is the Mackershaw Lodge
which was once an estate worker's house and gatehouse.
Now - who's going to go first through
that particular gate?
After you.
No - I insist. You can go first.
Further along the path the air was
perfumed with the hawthorn blossom.
These trees were not quite so pretty
but were interesting due to the
wind pruning they had suffered.
Onwards along the 13th century,
11' high estate boundary wall.
Far below were 'The 7 sisters' -
a group of very old yew trees.
Two of these are classed as ancient trees.
This one is 4m in girth,
matching the waist measurement
of the NCVs after all the
lunchtime goodies!!
This one, however, is an impressive 7m!
After this point all that remained was to walk back down the last part of the trail to the car park.
A good walk with plenty of interesting things to see.
Next week it is half term so the NCVs are going to have a week off. The blog will be back again on the 4th June.
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