Houghton Mill

After a nice roast meal preceded by some supermarket shopping, we went to Houghton Mill. Quite interesting that it was used as a Youth Hostel from the 1930's until 1983, after which the National Trust took it over. They still had a couple of original bunks there from that time and some old photos of people who stayed there. I have to admit I found that more interesting than the old wooden machinery...oops! I was given a piece of free cake left over from a day of baking demonstrations and activities that was held yesterday (the men were elsewhere at the time!)

We then went on to see Ramsey Abbey gatehouse (also National Trust) where a very interesting volunteer guide gave us the history of the totally destroyed abbey (apart from the dilapidated gatehouse and the former guest house which is now the Parish Church). They have no idea where the original abbey buildings were as one of the owners sold the stone off and even the foundations are gone...The gatehouse was restored in memory of Diana Broughton, who died aged 30, by her husband. We found her memorial in the church graveyard with these lovely words "through the Maytime of her life she moved lovely, loving, lovable and loved." What a lovely tribute.