The Moon and Crescent Ponds

In 1722 John Aislabie retired to his estates at Studley Royal, near Ripon, Yorkshire, after the South Sea Bubble scandal erupted during his tenure as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
For the next 20 years , he worked to create the best water garden in England.
Lakes, grottoes, canals, and cascades join the classical temples and ruins of medieval Foundations Abbey to provide an unforgettable landscape.

My main photo is of the Temple of Piety and Moon and Crescent Ponds.
Today the reflections were fabulous.
Extra is the Abbey taken as the sun was being to go down behind the trees.

Every year on Boxing Day there is a Pilgramage from Ripon Cathedral to the Abbey, where a Carol Service is held in the Cellarium. This is to celebrate the walk 13 monks did on this day back in 1132, and founded their own community in the deserted river valley.
Along with some of our Pudsey Ramblers friends, we join in the service every year, before going for a walk round Studley Royal gardens.

Today the weather was perfect. Blue sky and sunshine. Quite mild and no breeze.
The first time I wasn’t freezing cold sat in the Cellarium. Mind you we were well wrapped up.
Needless to say it was very busy with many families out enjoying some fresh air and exercise.

Driving back home the sun was going down and driving was difficult. However before we reached Harrogate we hit the fog and it stayed foggy all the way home.
Think we were lucky with the weather.

Hope you have had a good Boxing Day.
Ours was certainly enjoyable.