Gawthorpe Hall

The last time we were in England we visited Gawthorpe Hall.  We were disappointed to find it was closed due to renovations.  We had checked online and it had made no mention of this on the National Trust site. They are really good at giving times open at certain times of the year and such.  We enjoyed viewing the outside then, but wanted to explore the inside, so we traveled to check it out again.

If you are traveling to England, be sure to pack your brolly (umbrella) as a shower can pop up at any time.  There is a reason it's so green there!  We were happy to see that the outside of Gawthorpe had been cleaned.  Here is a photo of the outside that I took in 2015.

2015

As you can tell it needed a good cleaning.  This is how it looked when we went back.

2017

Gawthorpe Hall was the home of the Shuttleworth family for over 400 years. It had its beginnings as a Pele Tower.  These towers were all over English and Scottish borders to warn of impending danger.  Later Gawthorpe was built around the tower to be a handsome Jacobean home by the Shuttleworth's in 1600.  Inside are Victorian rooms furnished with historical pieces.  There are beautiful plaster work ceilings, textiles and paintings.  I'm so glad we were able to return.

As we enter the Hall and check in we are directed to the Dining room.

The gallery from the dining room has the original paneling and carvings from 1605. 

As we go into the drawing room it is quite evident this is a grand and opulent home.  Notice the beautiful plaster ceiling and the old paneling.

I loved seeing this priceless inlaid tea box table.  Tea was very expensive and was kept under lock and key.

As we ascend the stairs we see the garden through the old leaded windows.

Upstairs is a very exciting part of the home that continues to serve the community as a craft center.

We viewed the most exquisite pieces.

The Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is one of the finest in Europe.  Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth collected lace, quilts, costumes, embroidery and many other pieces that interested her.

I love her vision and what it has brought to this community.

This lovely tribute wall hanging speaks to the love she had of the arts.

I apologize for the glare of the glass, but I'm finding it difficult to leave out these lovelies.

Imagine the hours spent making lace.

Flour sack material quilts.

The dresses were so lovely.

I loved seeing this old triptych painting of Gawthorpe Hall over the mantel.

The Gallery Hall was added to the home to allow the ladies of the house to be able to take their walks inside.  

The flags were set up for an event that was going to be held.

There were a few bedrooms open as well.

All of them so ornate and dressed in lovely bed coverings.

There is so much more, but I must show you the lovely gardens that surround this lovely home.

There are still a few roses in bloom and beautiful lush shades of green in the formal garden.

On our way to the car park there is the great barn, coach house and farm house.

We enjoyed our second visit to Gawthorpe Hall very much. It made our hearts happy to return.  Thank you for coming along with us. 

Panko Encrusted Salmon

I have a confession to make.  I'm not wild about eating or preparing fish.  Yes, I know it's good for you and all that.  I do enjoy shellfish, though.  In fact I love it.  But, fish, not so much.  Our son loves deep sea fishing.  When he gifts us part of his catch, I really enjoy it, especially if he prepares it.  Fresh fish can't be beat, but it's difficult to obtain.  Grayden loves fish.  Often when we eat out he orders fish, particularly salmon.  I've tried making it several times and it's okay.  Recently I prepared salmon that was delicious to me and even Samuel who like me is not wild about fish.

I bought Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon from BJ's.  It's individually wrapped so that helps me some with the ick factor.

It you want to give it a try here is what you'll need for 3 to 4 salmon fillets:

• 1/2 cup or so of Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• fresh ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Mix together all of the above ingredients in a bowl. 

• Brush 1 to 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard on the skinless side of each fillet
• Press the breadcrumb mixture onto the Dijon mustard of each salmon  fillet

Heat your oven to 425 degrees.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in an oven safe 12 inch skillet on medium high.  Add your salmon skin side down and cook for 4 to 5 minutes without turning.  

Transfer your skillet to your preheated oven and let them cook for 3 or 4 minutes until the Panko is browned.

Remove from oven and allow to rest covered for a couple of minutes.  Enjoy!

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. ♥