Boxing Day

It has now become a Boxing Day tradition to meet walking club friends for the Carol Service at Fountains Abbey, held in the ruins of the solarium.

The music as always provided by the Stray Brass Ensemble, and the service led by the Dean of Ripon, who had today led the Pilgrimage from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey just as the monks had done in 1132.

We then did the usual Seven Bridges Walk through the grounds of Studley Royal, stopping half way round for our lunch.
Sat on the grass at the side of the path, with a wonderful view over the fields to Ripon Cathedral. 
As the sun shone, we could just pick out the White Horse carved into the hills in the distance.
As one passing gentleman said.  " One of the best views in Yorkshire".

We were certainly lucky with the weather as it was snowing when we left home. However when we arrived at the car park the sun came out, and shone for us most of the day, until we started to drive home, and the rain started.

Now feeling tired, but happy, after a really wonderful day.
A lovely end to Christmas.