We Go On An Aloysius Hunt & Find Four Sleeping Swans

After a very lazy start due to heavy rain, we made it out of Whitby, without losing any blood, not being a virgin, not having a white, billowy nightgown and being old was probably greater protection than the old crucifix trick..

Our next stop was Castle Howard via a drive over, in, around and up and down the Yorkshire Moors, with not one sighting of Catherine & Heathcliff. Rain followed us intermittently and we wanted to arrive at Castle Howard in time to walk around the gardens and grounds, so we didn’t stop.

We camped at the Castle Howard campsite and then cycled up to the entrance. The Howards’ wanted you be overawed, on your approach,there were more obelisks, pyramids, fancy gates and high walls to ensure you were in no doubt of the money and power that the family held.

Having been very impressed by Cragside and Bamburgh, I soon realised Castle Howard was a whole different ball game.. Cragside, a place that invites long walks wrapped in tweed and stout shoes, very Queen Mother, followed by hot chocolate or a stiff brandy. Bamburgh is more rugged, a place that evokes stormy seas, windy beach walks, huge roaring fires on the beach with bowls of thick beef stew and hunks of bread, but Castle Howard just oozes elegance and glamour, champagne, candlelit dinners, riding side saddle through the grounds for a picnic at one of the many buildings on the estate. Castle Howard screams look at me and my MASSIVE wedge. It must have been built to impress and intimidate, as the Howards were a powerful and influential family, wannabe king makers and breakers.. Castle Howard was used as the location for Brideshead Revisited, but no sign of Aloysius…🧸

The house wasn’t open but the grounds and views were impressive enough. We stopped for hot chocolate and then cake at the tea shop and in the farm shop, we bought our dinner. Two chicken pies, carrots potatoes and corn on the cob plus other goodies. Charlie looked like a pack horse as we stuffed his pockets with our shopping and he cycled back carrying the rest in brown paper bag hoping the handles wouldn’t break. Much to his amusement 😜, I managed to get the 2nd puncture in as many days but luckily made it back to the van!