Proper summer!

Bolton Abbey - again! For the first time all summer, we've had a spell of a few days of settled and warmer weather. Prior to that, warm, sunny days have been singular, soon spoiled by rain and cloud, at least here in Yorkshire. It's never advisable to visit the tourist honeypots up in the Dales on sunny weekends, as they get packed with visitors. We tend to save those for less agreeable days. Bolton Abbey, however, is well organised for large numbers and, thankfully, conveniently nearby, avoiding the worst of the narrow roads, numerous cyclists and cars up in the Dales. Its car parks are extensive and the cafés seem to cope with the visitor numbers. Once you get into the woods and along the river, the estate seems to soak up the numbers quite easily and, with all the shady tree cover, it's pleasant for a walk on a warm day.