Another day another castle. The first part.

 Another day and another castle. I am up this day and testing the modern technology which I have no trust in.....this day we go to Whitby. We are also meeting up with more friends and this is arranged now over messenger. I am sure it will work out just fine. I have really no excuse for getting anyone lost in my own home town. though there are always the possibilities,,,,,,
So a very quick write up of yesterday and then onwards to very warm sensible clothes for the Whitby wind experience of the family history involving a pirate called Browne Bushell.

Wednesday Mary, Bonnie, Lee and Dixson picked me up in their hire car. we put Monza well out of the way and waited out the back. I dressed for the occasion of a very very posh Gothic castle today in long flowing white clothes. These I had to keep clean until I had at least been to the posh Gothic Castle.

 So I first took them to the Otley Chevin to see "suprise view". And yes we were surprised at the view and then the viciousness of the wind and rain. Not wanting to give in or get dirty I gripped my long white skirts to stop me soaking up wet and mud. The men stoically  headed back to the car.

 us ladies played Mary Poppins and had our photos taken with Armsliffe cragg in the background....this is where the "cute cottage" is located.

 Mary and Bonnie sampled some of our classic Yorkshire weather, along with a classic beautiful view of the weather coming down hard and fast. something else along with the visit to a pub that can now be ticked off their list of Yorkshire treats.

 By the time we were parking up at Allerton Castle for the Wednesday tour the sun was out and the day was just like spring. The ladies and their lords have learned not to be fooled and gripped on to their wooly gloves and scarves,

 We were early, as I only got them lost once, so we all trotted down to the old Mauleverer church on the estate to see the effigies of The Knights Templar of the Mauleverer family and that of the Middletons too. Yes The middletons are in the same family tree and arrived with With William the Conqueror too.

 Any way....this is their church on the lands that William presented to the family of Mauleverer for their faithful service. Bonnie and Mary have returned to see their lands.

 The old church has an air of sadness and neglect. It is waitng, I now have a sense of happiness and a feeling that I have now done what Edmund Mauleverer has been leading me to.

 Everyone marvelled at these old effigies. The church was for a short time filled with laughter and voices echoing through the ages....the ladies have returned home at last.

 Mary brought along her not yet completed tapestry that she is designing of Anne Pierson Mauleverer.
This portrait we hope...and think...was possibly painted by Edmund Mauleverer. I originally thought it may have been her second husband who she emigrated to America with. Mary pointed out to me that she is not dressed as a Quaker...which she would have been if Mathew painted it. So I now think it was Edmund who painted this portrait of Anne Pierson before they became Quakers. So.....this too me changes my view of the situation. AND this portrait must have gone with her to America, it may have been one of the few treasures she managed to rescue from Ayton castle when Edmund died........

 So here we all are in the old church at Allerton Mauleverer ancient lands of Mary and Bonnie's family in Yorkshire.

 The effies are beyond beautiful. they date from the 12th century. that was a very long while ago .

 Bonnie the halo of light just caught her............as she read the prayer on the wall.....

 looking at this she was.........

 The lamp. This looks to me very like my old school lamp from the assembly hall......may the spirit of the flame burn in you, and kindle other hearts.

 we said a fond farewell to the old church and then on to the Castle tour to have our eye balls blown out.

The castle itself is another story entirely and I now have to prepare for Whitby. at this minute the sun is out.my camera is charged and messages are beginning to appear on the mobile phone......Sun!!?? would we really be this lucky