After a detour through a couple of other posts I’m back for the final leg of our English tour earlier this year when we returned to Aysgarth in Wensleydale to the same B&B, Stow House, we had stayed in two years before. On the way we stopped for a cuppa in Leyburn where John was attracted to the cycling sculpture above.

On our first day in Aysgarth we remained creatures of habit by repeating a walk we had done on our previous visit, a circular route taking in Aysgarth Falls and Bolton Castle. We didn’t tour the castle this time, though we did make use of the tearoom for lunch.

Aysgarth Falls

Aysgarth Falls

Walking to Bolton Castle

Bolton Castle

Bolton Castle

Bolton Castle

Wensleydale

Did the wind change direction?

Descending to Caperby

We also stopped in the same pub in Caperby, the Wheatsheaf, on the way back. Last time we sat outdoors in glorious sunshine, but this time it was much duller so no pictures of pints in beer gardens. However, we did find some of the posters in the toilets quite amusing.

Spotted in the Ladies

Spotted in the Gents

On our second day, as mentioned in a previous Gallivanting post, we met up with fellow blogger Margaret in the small market town of Masham. We started with a pastoral walk –

Near Masham

Walking with Margaret

– after which we were joined by Margaret’s husband Malcolm for a very nice lunch in the White Bear (shown in the first image below). When they left for home John and I explored Masham a bit more: it’s a very tidy town, even the bus stop is pretty and well kept. John was pleased to find another commemoration of the Tour de France visit in 2014.

White Bear

Town Hall

It’s a sign

Cairn for Grand Depart

Cairn for Grand Depart

Bus stop

Bruce Arms

St Mary’s Church in Masham was well worth a visit. Outside was an Anglo-Saxon cross shaft dating from the 9th century.

Church exterior, Anglo-Saxon cross shaft to left of porch.

Anglo-Saxon cross shaft

Inside also had intriguing features (more details in captions).

Nave

Millennium Window by Glenn Carter

Wyvill Monument. Sir Marmaduke (d 1617/8), his wife Lady Magdalen and, at the base, their 8 surviving children (of 12)

Crucifixion

Stained glass

Madonna and Child by John A Blakey. Donated by T&R Theakston 1994.

On our way back to our B&B we stopped at Jervaulx, a Cistercian abbey dedicated to St Mary in 1156. The abbey ruins are charming and the tea room is good too! There were also a few benches for Jude.

Gate

Statue

Garden bench

Jervaulx Abbey, Yorkshire

Rusty bench 1

Rusty bench 2

This was the last day of our holiday. The next day we headed back to Glasgow – in the rain. Normal service had resumed!

Next week I’m going back in time to fill in a bit more of my 2023/24 black hole. I’m a completist, I can’t let it go!