Rufford wander

A lovely sunny Saturday called for a wander up to, and round, Rufford Abbey country park, to enjoy a stroll around its parkland, lake, gardens, craft shops and the ruins of the Cistercian abbey itself...

Train danger

Across the tracks which cut through the fields on the way to Rufford

Golden cornfields

Past the powerlines

And here we are. Rufford Abbey, founded by the Earl of Lincoln in 1146. It fell into desrepair in the 1940s and was mostly demolished in the 50s, but there's enough still remaining to form the centrepiece of the park.

The nice, undemolished-looking side as we pass into the courtyard

In the Orangery

Sculptures dotted around the grounds. Apple dude is a particular favourite. And I like this new addition - a curvy stone bench featuring our owl friend, here

@shelley279 filling in at the headless statue

Big egg

Lovely little gateway to the kiddie area

Ducks on the lake. Note the dangerous duck kept caged on the Alcatraz-style prison island for everyone's safety (or Alquacktraz, as @shelley279 would have it). He must've snuck in through the bars, even though that looked impossible, as we saw another in there squeeze his way out

OK, that Alquacktraz was an appalling pun, but @shelley279 redeemed herself in the garden centre with 'Bag-puss', when faced with this chap snoozing in one of the displays

Inside part of the ruined Abbey

Ye olde plug socket

Up the steps to the ruins of the main hall

Monk-ey magic

Heading off. Last glimpse of the main buidling...

...and a nearby tower

Quick pic of the coat of arms on the top of the archway, and we're off home...