Fountains Abbey

Off on our travels again today. Up North this time, to see Northumberland not in the depths of midwinter.
I had to go to Tesco first thing to get a few bits which didn't come on the delivery last night because I forgot to order them! a quick hoover round and then we were off. Packing the day before a holiday makes things so much easier, who knew?!!
We made it as far as McDonalds - fifteen miles away from our house -  before our first stop. Sausage and egg McMuffins and hash browns all round. And a latte for Miss E because apparently she's now a sophisticated young woman!!
The journey was remarkably painless considering it's Bank Holiday Monday. I had worried that it could be a nightmare but we flew up the M1 and arrived at Fountains Abbey just before 1.30pm. Half an hour before the time-slot I'd booked. Perfect!
I LOVED the abbey. Everything about it!! The walk down getting glimpses of it through the trees; the amazing crypt; the river running alongside; how incredibly green everything was; the sense of history in the ruins - hundreds of years of monks eating, praying, sleeping, sitting and walking; the buttercups in the meadows; the ferns and wallflowers bursting out of every crack; the muniments room for storing important documents; our tasty picnic by the river; Archie paddling; the seagulls swooping on the water; the walk up to the Water Gardens........ 
Loved it!!! See extras for a few more.
It all went a bit pear shaped about halfway along the meadow to the Water Gardens when Mr K gave a gasp and held up his finger with its missing wedding ring. Sigh.
We were both upset but Miss L was so completely distraught we had to play it down a bit so she didn't get more upset. 
We retraced our steps - all of them, in the blistering sunshine - and then gave our details to the office in case anyone handed it in. Apparently people have been known to hand in pound coins!
Then we had ice creams - because there's nothing better than mint choc chip, salted caramel and honeycomb to soften the devastating loss of a wedding ring!! - and headed back to Marshall.
Where, of course, Mr K found his ring!!! He'd taken it off to put sun cream on. Idiot!!
Our campsite tonight is just outside Ripley, about fifteen minutes from Fountains Abbey. It's not the best site we've ever stayed at - millions of caravans packed in like sardines and lots of people without shirts on. But it was lovely and sunny and we sat out eating a lovely dinner of baguettes, pork pies, cheese, chutney and salt and vinegar crisps. And Mr K resisted the urge to strip off!!!