Have camera will travel

After a night of playing cards – it was raining – so we stayed in, we tackled Durham for a second time. We powered Emily up and said lets go again. Back into the fray, through the round abouts and into the parking garage. The stalls are very small, an Albertan driving a truck would not fit in one. We parked in the shopping centre across from the castle. Then once we got out of the car we headed across the river toward the castle. The weather was cool and overcast with a cool breeze.
We couldn’t just wander willy nilly through the castle, we had to be on a guided tour, as school was in term and there was also a B&B there. We got to see all the rooms that were not bedroms and private rooms of the staff and students, which wasn’t much. The chaple that was the last stop was 900 years old, and had the first reference to a mermaid anywhere in the world.
From there we wandered into the cathedral, it is very big and looks like West Minister.
Neat place but I couldn’t take any photos inside. The last person they allowed to take photos, came back a week later and nicked about a million dollars worth of stuff, so no photos allowed.
Then we wandered over to the catherdral. It is like West Minister in London – big. Very high ceilings, and not that colourful. Again no photos allowed – who would steal in a church – well it seems in the old days when the bishops didnt have enough money they stole from other churches to complete theirs.
We wandered the streets taking photos – finally – and made our way back to the car. No problems getting out and then back to the village to have lunch in the pub. Well that didn’t happen, we got there after 2, and they stop serving lunch at 2 – darn. So back to the cottage to eat our ham sandwiches.
Back in the car and of to Arch Dairy to sample some ice cream. It would have been easier to find if I hadn’t listened to Emily. But we got to see some neat tiny back roads, barley wide enough for the car. From there we decided to wander off toward some castles. We stopped at Walfort castle, it is a Best Western hotel now. I took a few photos outside and then back in the car and away. We got to Raby Castle about 4, and it closed at 4:30, so we took some photos from the road and we will go there tomorrow. Down the road farther is Bernard Castle, we went through the little village around it, but didn’t see the castle – we will go back.
Then back to the cottage, and up to the pub for supper and a pint. After supper the sun came out, so we geared up and went for a walk, trying not to get run over in the process. The locals drive fast around these roads, so you have to keep your ears open for the sound of approaching cars, and get off the road. We got safely back to the cottage. and planned our strategy for tomorrow, and played some cards.