Fountains Abbey

Today I am celebrating my almost birthday in England. I got to pick the destination for today's trip and we drove to North Yorkshire, just outside Ripon and visited Fountains Abbey.

It was built in the 1100s and appropriated by Henry the 8th in the 1500s when it began its slow decay I suppose. What is left is a magnificent lot of ruins, half ruins and almost totally intact buildings. It is so imposing and set my mind going, thinking of all that has happened in the past within these walls.

The parkland is sublime, green and full of interesting features. There is a water garden, swans and suchlike. The children were climbing all over the place, despite a. Lot of signs that suggested not doing it. How can you resist?

We were encouraged to visit the church of Saint Mary and were thrilled by the decoration in the chancel, very intricate mosaic and a lot of gold. Otherwise it put me in mind of the church I grew up in, All Saints in Clayton-le-Moors. It was also a Victorian gothic revival church, just like this one. The stained glass windows have always been a favourite with me, so the lady in this one is the blip for today - chosen in stiff competition!