A fine day dawned so we headed for Rievaulx Abbey this morning. 

First stop, the exhibition centre where some background information was displayed - I loved the drawings which characterised the explanations of life in a monastery.   Whilst we were there, a school party was being shown around by one of the monks from nearby Ampleforth.  His voice and manner of speaking was delightful to listen to and I was pleased to hear how responsive and thoughtful the children were in answering his questions.

I especially liked the way the grass in the nave revealed a hint of how it was, what had been or even what is hidden beneath.

and in between the squally drizzle, the sun shone and highlighted small details and glimpses through the ruin.

 

Later in the day, we had company

We met uncoming traffic in some tight spots (but note they're English ducks who know which side of the road to run on)

We stopped for tea in "Aidensfield" - where we seemed to have entered a time warp and some kind of TV country

 

Finished our day in Lastingham, where the Norman crypt in St Mary's was full of atmosphere and the papier mache angel hanging above the nave was a striking feature in the church above.