Saturday, 1 July 2000, found us on a fun outing to the town of Skipton, in the company of Graeme Brownrigg, one of our instructors. Since we had an early departure, we stopped along the way to grab a bite at Dick Turpin's, a local institution. We tried the world-famous (well, at least in North England) 'bacon butties.'
At Dick Turpin's we saw that not all English gardens are done in a grand scale. It seems that the 'garden gnome' disease has also affected local gardens. In this case, the disease was so prevalent it provided the garden with a certain...shall we say...charm?
Skipton Castle is one of the best preserved examples of a mediaeval castles in England. This privately-owned property has been well-kept and maintained for centuries.
The Chapel at Skipton Castle was turned into a stable by Oliver Cromwell's followers and it has remained in a fairly derelict state since.
One of the most beautiful parts of Skipton castle is the central courtyard...
...this courtyard is adorned by an English (or Irish) Yew (Taxus baccata) that is approximately 350 years old!
The details at Skipton castle were fascinating. Of course, most people with scatological interests are curious about the toilet facilities at such a place. The toilet was off the kitchen and the 'throne' is pointed above left by the white arrow. The opening at the throne led directly into the moat about 30 feet below... The lead downspouts point to the year they were installed (1659) and the cross-shaped slits on the thick walls provided a place from which to shoot arrows at incoming marauders.
Captured prisoners typically met a fate like those of our students above; they were thrown into the dungeon, a dark, forbidding room... However, I doubt if mediaeval prisoners displayed such cheerful disposition!
Top row, left to right: Nate, Charlie, Cindy, Kelly; bottom row, left to right: Becky, Audrey, Susan.
Sarah (left) and Graeme (center) were captured in the outside courtyard. Unfortunately, one pesky tourist (holding the white paper) would not move out of the way! I tell you, some American tourists just have no manners!
On to Skipton Market