And an interesting tree

One really needs to visit a castle on a cold, misty day in winter. Blue skies and trees in leaf don’t really go with castles, especially ruined ones.
 
Brough Castle. Originally built around 1100 on the site of a Roman fort and for the purpose of safeguarding routes from the North. Much damaged during a siege in 1174, a new keep was built in the late 12th century and the castle was given to the Brougham family and then the Clifford family. Over the years, the castle suffered from neglect and later from fire. Eventually Lady Anne Clifford took it in hand, and in 1659 restoration work started.
 
The tower in this picture is called Clifford’s Tower and, when Lady Anne stayed at Brough, she used a chamber at the top of the tower. I sometimes wonder whether a figure has ever been seen looking out from that top window!