May Bank Long Weekend

Cliffords Tower

For the long weekend we decided to stay in England, mostly as we hadn't been bothered to organise anything else.  We drove up to York and had a day walking the old city walls, visiting Cliffords Tower (it used to be a castle but only the tower remains) and catching up with Anna and Borrie.  They have officially left London and have begun their travels which will eventually lead them back to NZ. That night we stayed with Helen and Chris in Green Hammerton which is a little village 20min from York.

The next morning we took Lewis rock climbing at Brimham rocks and had a picnic lunch on a nice big flat rock.  After we spent the afternoon in Knaresborough, rowing up the river, playing mini putt (which Nath lost) and having a couple of beers in the local pub.



Bolsover Castle

On Monday it was sunny and nice not to be at work.  Nath and I were up early (thanks to Lewis) and left Green Hammerton by 8:30.  We planned to stop at two English Heritage sites on our way back to London. Problem was we were up so early we got to the first castle 30min before it opened! It is never a good idea to get up early.  We explored Bolsover Castle, which was the home of Sir William Cavendish. We then stopped by Hardwick Old Hall where William's Grandmother Bess had lived.  In its day it was a very grand estate.  Now-a-days there is a Hardwick New Hall which is just amazing.  Very grand.

Hardwick New Hall



Bolsover Castle

We are now back in London and only have 4 days of work this week.  This coming weekend we are going to the London leg of the IRB Sevens, and the following weekend we are watching the NZ v England test match at Lords.  Lots of fun sporting events to look forward to.