Thursday, January 18, 2018

Bolton Abbey


After leaving Castle Bolton we wanted to continue with our day out in the Yorkshire Dales.  The roads were winding back and forth along the beautiful countryside.


If there were nothing to see but the countryside, I would be happy.  But we needed to find a little pub or tearoom to get a little something to eat.  Out in the middle of what appears to be nowhere there are places to stop.


We really had no idea whether it would be good or not!


We parked the car and decided to go in.  It was a sweet little pub with charming tables and fireplaces and cabinets filled with china.  I do believe English china is the most beautiful in the world.  I never tire seeing it in pubs, houses, mansions, or castles!




I ordered the chicken salad.


And Grayden had the lasagna. 



I know it seems strange to have fries (chips) with a pasta meal, but that is not uncommon in England.  We both enjoyed our meal and were fortified to continue on our journey for the day.



Oh England, I'm homesick for your lovely views already!







I am not a cow expert, but I believe the cows above are called Holstein Friesian.  



The ones above are Belted Galloway.  Please let me know if you are familiar.  There were many breeds of cattle on our trip and particularly in Yorkshire.



Beautiful sheep were grazing everywhere as well.  We're traveling to Bolton Abbey.  We reach our destination driving through a very narrow opening.



I'm so proud of Grayden for many reasons, but today for his driving skills!  Driving along country lanes on the wrong/left side of the road and his tolerance of me directing him rather frequently/quite often!  Let's explore the Bolton Abbey Priory Ruins after we park the car.



The sight of the Priory is heartbreakingly beautiful. This Priory was founded in 1154 by Augustinian monks.  There was damage to the Priory in the 14th century by Scottish raiders and had to be abandoned for a period of time.  The nave of the abbey church survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries.


  


As we walk down to the Priory ruins we think about all the souls that walked these paths.  







Come along and we'll go inside this beautiful house of worship.





As we entered the organist was practicing his music for the next service.  It was so lovely to have music accompanying our visit.







Behind the Priory Church is Bolton Hall.  This mansion was built around the original arches to the Priory.  It is the shooting lodge of the Dukes of Devonshire.  They have owned the Bolton Abbey estate since 1748.  It is now run by the Chatsworth Settlement Trustees.

Thank you for coming along with us on our journey today.  



It's lovely to see such pretty flowers all along our way. ♥








41 comments:

  1. What enchanting views! That green patchwork always has my heart...and the hills are gorgeous! I giggled a bit as you mentioned getting chips (fries) with pasta in England, as that is just how it is in Ireland....chips with pizza! That made us laugh because we've never had fries with pizza here at home.

    That Abbey you went to was stunningly beautiful! The rich history and faith held in those walls that have been so carefully treasured and taken care of all these years...magnificent and breath-taking! In Ireland, we went to several Abbeys, however, my favorites were Hore Abbey in Co. Tipperary and Muckross Abbey in Co. Kerry...this one reminded me a lot of the one in Tipperary.

    The old country sure is beautiful, and I long to back so often!

    Thank you for sharing yet another lovely post...and for bringing joy to this wanderluster's heart ♥ Enjoy your evening!

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    1. Elizabeth, we share a love for the same things. I do hope you and I get to return and fill our hearts with the beauty we so love. I will be making note of the abbeys you mentioned if we ever get to Ireland they will be on our itinerary. I do love what you said about the "history and faith that held these walls." Have a wonderful day! ♥

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  2. Dear Martha Ellen,
    I don't know when I have viewed such breathtaking beauty! What a great journey. Thank you for sharing.
    I would also like to thank you for your visit and such kind words.. I am so happy to be back blogging.
    blessings,
    Penny

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    1. Penny, I'm so glad you are better, my friend! You would just jump with joy over the beauty that is England. Have a healthy, happy day! ♥

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  3. I'm so enjoying this photo tour.
    Amalia
    xo

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  4. Another lovely day out! Yes, you have identified both breeds of cattle correctly. The Friesian, I think, is the most common breed you will find in the UK.

    I do enjoy ruined abbeys. Most fell at the Dissolution, but our own Bishop's Palace fell at the hands of Bishop Gower, who striped the lead roof to pay the dowries for his three daughters!

    Yes, lasagne and chips is a common offering, and I love a good {veggie} lasagne and chips. Double carbs is popular with pasta and garlic bread often found served together too. You've made me quite hungry and it's only breakfast time!

    I stand in awe in such religious buildings, often doing my best, but falling very short of the mark, as I try to imagine how they must have looked, beautifully decorated with all the gold, glittering in the candle light, before Cromwell did his work.

    ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, thank you for verifying the cattle. Looking up these breeds gets a little tricky.
      How interesting about the Bishop's Palace! I guess we don't know the heart of Bishop Gower, but it doesn't sound good. The abbey's we visited that were destroyed during the Dissolution really broke my heart. I understand the really bad part was not the lack of the building, but the lack of support for the poor of the community when the support was gone. I too fall short of the mark daily, but continue with faith, hope and love. Have a wonderful afternoon, dear one. xoxo ♥

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  5. I have never been to Bolton Abbey so it as a joy to come along with you on your tour. I am familiar with those windy roads so I do appreciate how well Grayden did. I am so glad that you enjoyed your trip. The lasagne looked delicious.

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    1. Great Britain wouldn't be as lovely if all the roads were just like at home (she says as we are back home.) Taking it slow and easy is the pace for sure! Enjoy your weekend. ♥

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  6. Oh my goodness! What a wonderful journey and thank you! Yes to cattle breeds and love the saying "...seeking to live well with God...". Yes to living well with God. I adore the UK, especially Ireland, Scotland and the rural areas of Britain. If I didn't have family, I would immigrate to one of those areas, probably Ireland.

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    1. Sandra, we certainly are kindred spirits! I have not visited Ireland yet, but certainly hope I can one day. Great Britain certainly has my heart! Have a wonderful weekend. ♥

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  7. The countryside of England is beautiful and so green. I can see why you're missing it. The castles are grand, and the sheep and cows I would have stopped to look at for sure. These are awesome pictures of the countryside and all the angles you took of the church. I bet it was so nice hearing the organist playing when you entered. Grayden's lasagna looks delicious. The china is pretty displayed in the glass cabinets, and I have to look closer, but I believe I have a candy dish in the same rose pattern on the bottom right. I've never parted with it. : )

    ~Sheri

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    1. Thank you, dear Sheri. I believe the pattern in the cabinet is Old Country Roses. I've always loved that pattern. It's a perfect design for you! I hope you are enjoying your break. Have a nice weekend! ♥

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    2. Martha Ellen, I just wanted to tell you that I looked at the bottom of my candy dish, and Yes, the pattern is Old Country Roses. I've always liked it, and it is a piece that I have never been able to part with all these years. Thank you for letting me know the name of the English china in the cabinet at the little pub you ate at. : )

      ~Sheri

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    3. Sheri, that is really nice you let me know about your candy dish. I bet you are going to fill it with wonderful Valentine candy. I'm enjoying your girl's blog posts. I know you are proud of them! Take care, my friend. ♥

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  8. Absolutely gorgeous countryside! I fear I would forget to return home if I might ever make the trip! We have a daughter who was in West Yorkshire first semester of her college senior year. She was at Breton School of Art with the Univ. of Leeds, I believe I remember that correctly. It was 20 years ago!:-)

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  9. More beauty on "our" trip to England! (Thank Grayden for his careful driving . . . and thank you for your driving assistance. ~smile~)

    All of these splendid scenes and now I am stuck on those two lovely meals. I must be hungry. Better go to bed . . .

    You do take wonderful photos, Martha Ellen!

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    1. Cheryl, the "team driving" worked okay on the narrow roads. I'm married to a very patient man, thank goodness! ♥

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  10. Driving through that arch does look pretty precarious! I love that you can find pubs along the way out in the middle of nowhere. So, when do you plan to go back?!

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    1. Cathy, we don't have any set plans to go back. But I do have hopes and dreams to return one day.
      Driving through the arch was a breeze compared to some roads we have coming up! ♥

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  11. Such a lovely trip. Driving the country roads must have been amazing. I can understand how you miss it. So much to see, the cows, the sheep and the most amazing architecture. The pubs are wonderful. The English do have some different customs, regarding their food. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful journey. Happy Saturday.

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    1. Thanks,Linda. It's so much fun reliving our journey through our photos and sharing it with friends. Have a great weekend. ♥

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  12. Another amazing day! Imagine church services in one place for so many years. I love the deep window sills that come with stone walls!

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    1. The history behind these amazing houses of worship give me goosebumps! So much faith and tenacity through the years--"faith of our fathers." ♥

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  13. Love the beautiful landscaping....beautiful countryside. Beautiful pics.

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    1. Pam, there is so much beauty in England. Thanks for stopping by. ♥

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  14. Again another sigh....the beauty of the countryside grabs my heart. I can’t imagine how fun it must be driving those old narrow roads and visiting these places. How nice that the organist was practicing there- what a treat! I guess they love their potatoes over there! That would seem odd to get fries with lasagna. Those are Holsteins - Dan was raised on a dairy farm. Hosteins produce the largest amount of milk so that’s why they are preferred for dairy farms. The Belted Gallloway are raised for beef. Thank you again for another trip through the English countryside!

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    1. Thanks Liz and Dan for verifying the cattle. The different breeds (to me) were interesting. Fries come with just about everything you order in England. Grayden didn't mind as he loves them! Enjoy your day, my friend. ♥

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  15. The more I of see of the old country, the more I want to know. I have so enjoyed your wonderful photos. What a vacation!!!

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    1. Oh, there is so much to see and know about Great Britain. I will continue to post about our time there. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week. ♥

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  16. When I saw the pictures of the ruins of Bolton Abbye Priory my first thoughts were that I have seen them in Yorkshire, but no that were the ruins of Rivaulx Abbey, there are so many.....
    Watching your magnificent photos I got spontaneously homesick for this country.
    Thank you so much for sharing this all with us!

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    1. Janneke, there are too many ruins in England. It really reminds us of how dangerous it is when we become too zealous about our religious beliefs. We did not venture to the east of England on this trip---maybe one day. Rievaulx Abbey looks very similar, I see. The English countryside has a way of making us homesick is right! Have a lovely week. ♥

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  17. I would love to attend a church service in an ancient English Church. WONDERFUL RUINS!That was a peaceful visit through the Dales and Grayden deserves an award for driving on those James Herriot roads. I can almost hear the theme song of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL.....

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    1. Yes, this is Herriot country, Jeri. So absolutely gorgeous! I'm at a loss for words to describe the beauty. We were fortunate to attend a service in the Salisbury Cathedral--I can't begin to tell you what that meant to our hearts...♥

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  18. Looks like a marvelous day. Beautiful scenery, beautiful architecture, a wonderful lunch, and a husband with nerves of steel. 🚗

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    1. Yes, to drive or ride (ha) the English countryside one needs nerves of steel! I'm so glad we did, otherwise we would have missed the beauty. Have a wonderful week, Vee. ♥

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  19. How absolutely lovely! Is the Church of England the same as Anglican which is Episcopal in U.S.?
    I hope I don't get too old before I have a trip there and I hope it stays as lovely as it is now in your pictures.

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    1. Most US Episcopal Churches belong to the Anglican Communion after breaking away from England and the Church of England. They are still very similar in many ways. Not all Episcopal churches belong to the Anglican Communion.
      I do hope you make plans to travel to Britain, Betsy. It is so lovely. ♥

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  20. My oh my ... I so enjoyed this post.
    Your photographs are so lovely and what an interesting tour.
    Those stained glass windows are just beautiful.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Jan you are so lucky to have have such beauty and history in your country. We really love it there! Have a lovely weekend. ♥

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