A great couple of days. We spent Saturday going to the market in Skipton, then to the Skipton Castle, nestled at the top of the high street. The castle is privately owned,and was extensively restored from 1956- 1987. A significant part is open to the public, but part is still used as a private residence.
Skipton castle
Roy and I then walked up the canal behind the castle. This was installed to bring limestone from a quarry, for shipping all over along the canals. Limestone was used for steel-making, for making lime for mortar, , as a building material, and in the pottery business. A very important base material that was a key to the industrial success of the area. Further along, are storage reservoirs, and a civil war bombardment site for the 3 year seige of the castle. The history…
a ‘fancy’ stone stile
remains of a Roman track
Sunday brought a chance to ring bells in Skipton church: some of the nicest sounding bells I have rung. Church, followed by an amazing hike up to the ridge above Skipton. We rambled up and down for about 8km, including walking along a Roman road, traces of which are still there in the stones, through gorse (yecch!), woods, heather, and high moorlands. The weather was much cooler, with threatening clouds- but no rain. Absolutely perfect. 
a new statue honouring Canadian trekkers above Skipton
a walker’s gate in the ubiquitous stone walls above Skipton
We then moved along for a short evening cruise to get a place that was less urban for the night. Our first choice was quickly discarded though: just behind a tree was the parish church of Kildwick, with a chiming clock every 15 minutes. Although nice, I think the novelty would wear off through the night! We are about 200m further on, and in a great place.
(sort of merged) view of Skipton from the ridge
