MIDDLEHAM CASTLE ON THE WAY TO NEWCASTLE

The couple missionaries had a day planned to go to Alnwick Castle north of Newcastle on Saturday May 10th. It is about three hours away from Sheffield. So we thought we would go up on Friday and see some other things along the way. The drive was just as exciting as the castles. 

This is Middleham Castle which is two miles south of Leyburn. It is set in the delightful little Wensleydale market town. It was traditionally the favorite home of Richard III and was certainly a northern power-base.

The core of the castle is the mighty keep three stores high and has twelve-foot thick walls. It was probably built during the 1170s.

Elder Allen loves to explore and climb the stairs. He is probably not as excited as I am. I love old ruins.

I love how the flowers and plants just grow out of the wall of this castle. 

This kind of gives you the perspective from the drawings and ruins what it looked like back in the day.

 The wind was really blowing and it was cold at the top. I love looking over the countryside. 

You can't really tell in the photo but the round wheel looking cage right in the middle of the photo has horses in it. It is a way they exercise their horses. It just keeps going around and around and around.

 This hill is where the first castle use to stand.