Mooring matters

Saturday, 10 July 2010 19:28

So here we are, moored in Ripon

Towards the Basin

However, they are only 48H moorings so all sightseeing has to be done "quickly"! Apparently, the lady who lives in the large house by the moorings "polices" the moorings, as she likes a new view every day! This is what we were told by a local lady!

Ripon Canal Basin

We went into Ripon this morning to catch the bus to Fountains Abbey (more about that later) and had time to take a few photos.

The sandwich and ice cream shop in The Forge

Ripon is a city, one of the smallest "Chartered Cities" in England; it was founded over 1,300 years ago by Saint Wifrid.  City status was granted in 1836, as it has a Diocesan Cathedral.

Cathedral from Bondgate Green Bridge over the River Skell

Today, the Cathedral was holding a Medieval Fayre and as we passed there was a crowd watching a couple of Knights fighting things out! Maybe the heat had got to them!

Cathedral frontage

We were early for the bus, so had a bit of a wander in the town centre. There is a good selection of shops and a market on Thursdays. In the centre of Market Square is the 90 foot obelisk. This dates back to 1702, (here it is in 1733) as a replacement for the old market cross. It was restored and remodelled in 1781.

Obelisk in Market Square, Town Hall behind

To the left in the picture, on the Town Hall, is the quotation, "Except Ye Lord Keep Ye Citye Ye Wakeman Waketh In Vain".

At the foot of the obelisk every evening, the Wakeman (or Hornblower) blows a horn. This is to reassure the good people of Ripon that all is well. There is more about Ripon and its traditions on the Visit Ripon website - clickety click

We had a really good day at Fountains Abbey, about quarter of an hour's bus ride away, and returned to Epiphany tired but pleased we had been. Fish and chips were the order of the day from Whitby Harbour Fish and Chip shop just by the basin!