Good morning Saloners! I come to you this morning a bit disappointed that I haven’t been able to join in the Read-a-thon this time around. I love sitting down with a stack of books and spending an entire day doing very little but reading them. And with my glacial reading pace at the moment, I really could have done with that boost for my totals. We have a houseguest, though, and I don’t plan to ignore her in favor of books, so no participation for me this time around.
This does mean, however, that we have an excuse to go to some of my favorite historic places since she’s never been to them. My husband has finally finished an exam he’s been studying for over the last two and a half weeks, and on weekends for about a month, so our weekends are ours again. Yesterday, we went to Fountains Abbey, which isn’t all that far away from where I live. It was a fairly chilly day, as we’re heading deeper into autumn, and so we didn’t have to contend with the crowds that my husband and I did on our last, warmer visit.
Might be where the monks stored their food but it’s certainly beautiful now.
The abbey itself
Down the aisle of the church.
Fountains Abbey is secluded in a valley and, after the Dissolution of Monasteries by everyone’s favorite Henry VIII, became part of an aristocratic estate which is now all owned by the National Trust. As a result, it still feels calm and peaceful, with a river trickling nearby and impressive later water gardens just past the abbey. Lovely spot on a sunny day, even a chilly one like yesterday.
In reading news, I only managed to finish one book this week, Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews. I have made a significant dent in Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey though, and you should expect a review of both this week.
Have a great week, everyone, and I hope you’re all reading wonderful books and enjoying the change in seasons!
It’s always fun to have company when you live someplace like that – they make you see things with refreshed eyes.
bermudaonion(Kathy)´s last post …At the movies: Won’t Back Down
So beautiful! I’ve been to a couple of old abbeys, but none as big and well preserved as Fountains (looking at your first photo). Grrr to Henry and his dissolutions, though it’s better than it could have been. Hope your reading pace gets better
Charlie´s last post …Readathon October 2012 – Forget The Busy-Ness, I’m Joining In
I didn’t participate, either–too much going on. But there’s always next time!
heidenkind´s last post …Guest Review: REFLECTED IN YOU by Sylvia Day
Spending time outdoors with company is always great. And I love your photos!
Beth F´s last post …Review: The Lighthouse Road by Peter Geye
The abbey looks like a wonderful place to visit. Hope you had a nice weekend with your husband and house-guest.
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