I took advantage of a sunny day to visit Bolton Abbey again. The village green was looking rather attractive, and two cyclists were having a rest under the tree. They had a spaniel in a little trailer. When I returned to my car, gardeners were mowing the grass. I suppose there won't be much more need for that until next year.
The Priory looks rather complicated from this viewpoint (below). After the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1500s, the nave (with the roof, to the left) was saved as a church because local villagers worshipped there. It is still used.
The building in front of the abbey was originally constructed in the 15th century as the infirmary for the Priory. In 1700 it was rebuilt to house the Boyle School, a boys' grammar school endowed by natural philosopher Robert Boyle. The building continued operating as a school until 1874, when it was sold to the Duke of Devonshire and used as a rectory for the church's minister. In 1978 it was converted into a private residence.
I had a bit of a wander around the graveyard and the ruins. It was one of those days where I'd be attracted to a sun-kissed corner, only to have the sun disappear behind a cloud so the magic was lost before I could compose a photo. A touch frustrating! It was too chilly to stand still for long to wait for the clouds to disperse.
I decided I'd walk along the River Wharfe to Bolton Bridge, which is a direction I rarely take. The valley here is much more open than further up towards the Strid. There are lovely views of the surrounding fells, though in many ways it's a less photogenic walk than the woodland walks. It made a change though.
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