Richmond North Yorkshire moors

Popped up to North York Moors on Monday after skiving off work even earlier than usual (appointment in Durham Tuesday). Spent the night in the very beautiful and seemingly undervalued town of Richmond (water, historic buildings, beautiful views in every direction...) then wandered over the bleak but awe-inspiring moors (including the gloriously named Arkengarthdale) to a tiny village called Escomb to look at the earliest Christian Church in the entire country! Well we've seen it now. Lovely little building. Made our way (quite by chance) to the Bowes Museum, (Queen Mother Elizabeth Bowes Lyon family collection - boy were they loaded) and finally ,crossed eyed with visual delights and historic information, got to our appointment at 4pm. Long drive home, but well worth it, and feel like I've had at least a week off. Called to see friend on way home, and her three new foals, one of which won a foal show class at the weekend, quite a striking little filly. House we stayed in at Richmond deserves a section all to itself, hosts Austin and Tim (retired english teachers) were an education in themselves. Do look it up if you are passing or give them a google. National RHS gold medal garden among their many achievements. Their palace of relaxation is called Millgate House, eclectic, extravagant, whippet occupied, georgian equivalent of forth bridge - has to be seen to be believed. A joy.