We went into Knaresborough, where Matt's brother Tim lives and Chris used to live, and explored the castle ruins along a beautiful sweep of the River Nidd, looking over to the Knaresborough viaduct. We then wandered to the first graveyard of the journey (I'll post more on my graveyard explorations when I return in my history blog!) at the old St. John's Church in Knaresborough. We have settled into our two cottages at Rudding http://www.rudding.com/cottages/claro.htm
Literally right across from the cottage is a field of sheep and a field of cows, who are very curious!
Today we ventured to Cindy's because both of the girls returned home, then we ventured over to the town of Ripley where we went to a huge old church and graveyard (the older site sunk into the ground and is called the sinking chapel!) and saw Ripley castle.. then ate the World Famous ice cream from Ripley (which I had never heard of... but it sure was delicious!) I think Uncle Scott Ripley said once that he thinks his family may have come from this town, if that is who it was named for! More genealogical adventures later...
Then off to Cindy's parents home (its her dad's birthday), a renovated priory mill directly on the River Nidd, about half a mile down from the Knaresborough castle. Cindy's dad did the work himself over the past decade, and it was absolutely stunning... both inside and out!
and Matt's suitcase has literally just come to the door! Huzzah!!!!!
