Touring England - Fountains Abbey, York

We thought we would leave the look around England until later in the year when it would be warmer. That was at Christmas. Now its Easter and its even colder. We left our house in Hawarden covered in snow and at about 3 degrees. The warmest it had been for two days after it snowed all weekend. 

We left nice and early for York and arrived at Fountains Abbey by midday. The stressful sensation of driving around the UK quickly returned. The motorways are jammed full of cars and trucks. The slightest distraction can end in another adrenaline rush as cars pull in front or slow down in front of you. 

The remains of the abbey are a hidden paradise tucked away on the east coast close to York. The 12th century abbey was destroyed by the English reformation but enough of the original remains to create an airy atmosphere especially in the snow. After a suitable period of exploring the abbey and chasing Holly through various hiding places we followed the past along the small river.

With 800 acres of grounds a track leads next to the river to where a number of great views can be had of the abbey. A seat named after Anne of Boleyn gives the best view and provided us a break for what was a reasonable climb and walk.