A trip to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. It’s a seriously atmospheric and stunning location.
It gets really busy here in the summer so it was an early start. Do as much as we can until the crowds get too much for Hawklad and then it’s a quick exit.
The trip went well. Almost first in the queue when the site opened and for a couple of hours, Hawklad had his much needed space. Precious moments in the 11th century Cistercian Monastery. Precious moments spent without touching anything, spent maintaining distances. Hawklad spent the time dreaming and instructing me on history. Well mostly…
Stood under this amazing rood structure and I asked Hawklad to enlighten me, to teach me something. He instantly described some interesting facts about Starfish reproduction. I must have had one of those slightly confused looks that parents develop increasingly to which he replied.
“Oh you wanted some information about the monasteries….”
History comes alive when you can see it, touch it, smell it. We have so much history on our doorsteps. Bronze Age, Roman, Viking, Saxon, Norman and onwards, all within a short drive of the schools. So why is school history exclusively learnt via textbooks. Not one single school trip to a experience history. What a missed opportunity.
Then the crowds started to arrive, scores of family picnics breaking out everywhere. Time to leave. Time for our picnic but ours is taken away from view, a remote road lay-by with a view. Then it’s a scenic route home.
Definitely a decent trip out but still a million miles from returning to the classroom. I think we can safely say that won’t be happening in just over 3 weeks now.
A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent. 
Some cracking photography in there Gary – looks like a great place to visit and so l am glad it all went well for you both.
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Hawklad is so amazingly smart and funny…. starfish?? 🤣🤣🤣
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You’re doing great the both of you. Well done on the trip idea and carrying it out so proficiently BABASP.
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Wow. A very interesting place
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I cannot believe the school’s don’t take advantage of being so close to so much history. Such a travesty.
Glad to hear you two had a pretty good day.
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What a beautiful place to visit!
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Fantastic photography and a lovely reminder of a place we enjoyed visiting. Out of the mouths of children, which are mostly also a treat with a different perspective.
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So glad you had a good time.
Lovely photos.
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What a beautiful place. I’ve been meaning to go there for ages.
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It’s so worth it. Just in summer remember the insect repellent, the midges are little vampires. It’s truly stunning in autumn and winter.
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I miss seeing those wonderful places living in Australia..lovely you two got to have a summer holiday visit there.
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Hawklad gets such a boost from these places x
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It just shows how connected he really is. 🦋
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An Absolutely Architecturally beautiful site. Hawklad is fortunate to have a dad who takes him to such historically inspiring locations. Keep up the amazing parenting Superdad. ❤
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I will try to. Hope you keep smiling ❤️
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