Day 66 (June 7): Bowes Museum & Barnard Castle

Today's outing proved a bit more challenging due to the fact that we missed our bus connection because of a late bus leaving Durham, and had to wait for the next bus in a town that was, well, not the least bit interesting.  So we walked up and down, ate our sandwiches, looked at our watches, and just tried to enjoy the fact that we were sitting at a bus stop in a random village in northeast England, in the rain.  (We did have rain jackets and umbrellas so no worries there.  We've learned to be prepared for rain at all times.)

Then, the bus that came through and picked us up took a rather roundabout "scenic" route to our destination...  but again, the bright side here is that we got to see some more of the English countryside for nothing extra!

the Bowes Museum

Turns out if we'd gotten to the museum when we'd originally planned that we'd probably have had too much time.  So it all worked out.

The museum was interesting, mainly for its fabulous building and over-the-top collections of paintings, porcelain, furnishings, and household decorations.  A lot to look at so at some point one does start to kinda "glaze over".

I don't remember what was so funny but I like this photo

Also in the town is Barnard Castle (ruins) which we visited in the light rain, after a short walk down the High St. and a stop in Costa Coffee.

girls are peering through the opening to the river below

today was Caroline's 14th birthday

inside one of the castle towers

view of the river Tees

Fortunately the bus ride back to Durham was efficient and uneventful.

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 51 (May 23): Durham

This morning the girls (plural, yay!) and I met Grandad outside the Cathedral in the late morning and together we four took a walking tour of Durham.   We are on Day 2 of Weather Perfection here in Durham City.!  (Today was even a bit too warm, and I even sweated!)

Indoor Market...  from indoors

love this place...  what Walmart should be 

 

requisite stop for a photo...  the sky was much bluer than this photo looks

After lunch back at the flat, Grandad and Erin joined Chris for an official Cathedral tour and Castle tour while I did some errands (finally bought a watch!) and Caroline and I stayed home and took care of business, rested, etc.

This evening included finalizing some travel plans (Scotland again!) as well as dinner, a walk, etc.

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.

Day 44 (May 16): Durham

Sunny day this morning.  I had to walk into town for a few groceries (and to bring Chris a lunch -- he is off to London and Oxford for a few days of meetings/talks) and couldn't resist a few photos.

our building -- it's looking downright Spring-y around here

wonder how many photos I'll end up with from this spot?

end of the Cathedral with view of Dun Cow Lane (where Chris has his office)

Cathedral with blue skies

We managed a visit this afternoon to Durham Castle.  Students give tours through the public parts of the castle.  To date about 80 students live in the Castle itself (apparently their rooms were given an expensive overhaul just last year) and other students in University College live in other parts of the Castle & Cathedral complex.

oldest parts of the castle are 600-1000 years old

Day 39 (May 11): Durham to Edinburgh

Fairly early departure on the train to Edinburgh, arrival mid-morning.  Weather somewhat rainy but not too dismal.  Checked in to our hotel and left our luggage, headed straight to the Castle.

Robert Bruce and William Wallace are in the alcoves

After the Castle we walked down the Royal Mile, stopping to visit St. Giles Cathedral. 

back of St. Giles Cathedral and statue of Adam Smith

Rest in our hotel room and dinner and then another short walk down the rest of the Royal Mile to the bottom of the hill where Holyrood Palace and the new Scottish Parliament building is.

very interesting building/complex

words from I Cor 13 carved into stone on the ground inside the Parliament building

We had fun watching American Idol on the TV in our hotel room -- since we don't usually have TV and don't usually watch American Idol.

the sky outside our hotel room that night gave me hope about the next day's weather

Day 12 (April 14): York

We started the day with a full English breakfast (of course) which is a definite perk of travelling in the U.K.  Then off to pick up a free guided city tour.  Unfortunately it rained through much of it and was very cold...  we learned our lesson to always be prepared with a rain jacket and warm layers.

cold & rainy & very historical York

After warming up with Cornish pasties and hot chocolate, we toured the York Castle Museum anc Clifford's Tower.

not really

Dinner at an Italian restaurant.  A full day.