Day 65 (June 6): Durham & Raby Castle

The girls and I woke up the next day with the energy for a half-day outing and, realizing that one of the places we were interested in visiting was only open Sunday through Wednesday, we studied the bus timetables and routes (online) and headed out! 

There was some stress at the beginning but it all worked out and we arrived at Raby Castle shortly after it opened for the afternoon. 

there are also gardens to enjoy

with really cool 200-year old yew hedges

front door

The current Lord and his family still live in the Castle.  (That is why it isn't open every day, all day, I expect.)  Parts of the Castle date back to the 14th century when it was originally built.  The interior was quite impressive, but not overwhelming.

no photography is allowed inside but I took lots of pictures outside

The outing was really quite perfect, topped off with a visit to the Castle's tearoom for a late lunch, plus dessert and hot drinks. 

We took the bus back to Durham with no trouble.  A really good afternoon out.

Day 52 (May 24): Durham and Beamish Museum, Pt. 2

Afternoon out to Beamish Open Air Museum today -- Chris rode with Grandad in his rental car (eek!) to help him get used to it, and the girls and I rode the Park & Ride to the bus station and took the bus from there.  This was our second visit to the Museum.

under the arbor at the Georgian house

It was another gorgeous day and we enjoyed our afternoon wander through the Georgian house, the Town, the Home Farm, and the Pit Village school and houses.

at the Georgian farm

front of the Home Farm

the Pit Village

the Coal Mine

early 20th century Town

Riding the bus back to town was fairly simple.  Dinner, a bit of TV (American Idol), and bed.

Day 48 (May 20): Durham & Bishop Auckland

Today was sunny and we enjoyed our walk to church.   The walk back to the flat took us through the center of town as we needed to make two quick stops.

River Wear looking north from the Old Elvet Bridge

River Wear looking south from Old Elvet

on the Old Elvet Bridge, looking up into town

After lunch and a rest I took a long walk in a direction I hadn't gone before.  And then, still itchy and wanting to enjoy the good weather, I decided to take a bus to Bishop Auckland, a town about 12 miles away through the countryside, in order to see Auckland Castle, home to Durham's Prince Bishops from the 12th century until just a few years ago.  (I felt very brave doing this all by myself.   Chris was enjoying a long Sunday afternoon nap and Caroline didn't feel like going anywhere.)

12th century part of the building, originally a banqueting hall, now a chapel

nice view from inside the castle

inside the chapel (largest private one in Europe)

I had a very nice tour guide all to myself who took me all through the building and told me lots of interesting stuff.  There are also lovely grounds that used to be the Bishops' "deer park".  Basically the estate was the Prince-Bishops' weekend home and I guess the town that is there now grew up around it.

Home, dinner, some reading, some dumb TV.  A good day all-around.