Fountains Abbey & Gawthorpe Hall

Another fabulous day.

We moved out of our accommodation in Newcastle and headed to Fountains Abbey. Read about it on their website - I will post photos later. This place was amazing!

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey/

Gawthorpe Hall was our afternoon stop. Housing a magnificent collection of embroidery and lace worked and collected by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, this stop was a little gem.

 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gawthorpe-hall/

From Gawthorpe we travelled on to Manchester to stay at the Grand Old Lady of the Midlands, the Manchester Midlands Hotel. Grand is not enough for this very elegant establishment. On our first evening we dined with Sir Derek Jacobi. Well, we were in the same restaurant. I, Claudius & Dr Who are just two of his claims to fame - and having dinner with the quilters.

http://www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/the-midland-manchester/

Our last tour day was Friday and we travelled to Macclesfield to visit the Silk Museum. What an interesting place, filled with the history of silk & textiles. We were lucky to also view an exhibition of embroidery. No photos, but look on their website to see what they are all about.

 http://www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk/

Our Friday afternoon was spent at Chatsworth House. Wow! Wow! & Wow again. I will have some great photos to download later, but check out their website. The Duke & Duchess of Devonshire still live in this magnificent house, with the most splendid gardens.

http://www.chatsworth.org/

It was a weary group that headed back to the hotel for early dinner. Our wake-up calls at 5am were just a little too early for comfort, but perfect for getting to the airport on time.

Too soon it's all over & done with ................ until next time.

I'll try to get photos loaded tomorrow, but I'm current;y enjoying time with friends in Seaton Sluice before flying to Tocane St Arpe to visit my lovely family down there.