Horsing around

Met up with Simon in the morning and he took us around the stables and then off to the gallops. 

Every morning string after string of racehorses walk up through the cobbled streets of Middleham village to exercise. They are heading to the training grounds which span vast stretches of open moorland - the Gallops. The gallops are used daily by around 13 to 15 local racehorse trainers and 16 training yards, serving over 1,000 thoroughbreds! 

Lovely to see Olivia ride across the tracks while Simon told us all the inside goss of all the horses and trainers ha ha!

We will miss these beautiful horses (and their riders). 

We got back to Leyburn just in time to meet up with Anna and Ben and family at the famous Tennants auction house. No wedding here this time but lots of interesting things on auction including fashion house items ... ties, shoes, bags, dresses, coats and much more.  I was very careful not to move in case I made a bid!

We loved the Shawl walk and its stunning views.  The local story is that it got its name from Mary Queen of Scots who when she escaped from nearby Bolton Castle dropped her silk shawl, giving the escarpment its name.

Mmm, on the other hand historians suggest 'Shawl' comes from the Old Norse/Old English word schalle, referring to a cliff, slope, or wooden ridge.