<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/richmondmar14-barn.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1622" alt="richmondmar14-barn" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/richmondmar14-barn-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a>Our annual holiday with our dearest friends is an event we always look forward to and this year has been particularly special as we were coming together from Bulgaria, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire.

The barn conversion that Sue had found for us proved to be perfect with wonderful ensuite bedrooms and plenty of space for cooking, eating and relaxing.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/afterwalk-richmondmar14.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1628" alt="afterwalk-richmondmar14" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/afterwalk-richmondmar14-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a>We enjoyed a number of walks together and separately. Jane and I probably walked on most days often just stepping outside the front door and walking the local lanes and fields.

This was the end of a walk from Richmond alongside the river and visiting a ruined abbey and some wonderful countryside.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/wensleydale-richmondmar14.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1627 alignright" alt="wensleydale-richmondmar14" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/wensleydale-richmondmar14-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a>

Driving up Swaledale we started to get a real sense of the beauty of the area.

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<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/boltoncastle-richmondmar14.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1626" alt="boltoncastle-richmondmar14" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/boltoncastle-richmondmar14-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a>We all went to Bolton Castle because it had  a reputation as being a good example of medieval architecture but we had been warned that the tour may not be as complete as normal because it was being used as a film set.

It's a great castle even though it has been in a state of disrepair for several centuries.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/filmset-richmondmar14.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1623" alt="filmset-richmondmar14" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/filmset-richmondmar14-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a>The filming was being undertaken by the team that made <a title="Horrible Histories" href="http://horrible-histories.co.uk/" target="_blank">Horrible Histories</a> for the BBC. Many of the castle rooms had been modified to depict an Elizabethan town and the film was going to be about the young <a title="Film Bill" href="http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/horrible-histories-cast-film-william-6727399" target="_blank">William Shakespeare so it will be called Bill</a>. We weren't supposed to take photos but Jane sneaked this one from a window in the café.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/owl-richmondmar14.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-1624" alt="owl-richmondmar14" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/owl-richmondmar14-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" /></a>Another part of the Bolton Castle included an owl demonstration. Here is a Scops owl called Bilbo who delighted us with her antics.

It was very informative and we learned a lot about owls that we didn't, for example they are not as clever as other birds despite the "wise owl" reputation.

<img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1621" alt="crew-richmond-mar14" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/crew-richmond-mar14-200x150.jpg" width="200" height="150" />So the week came to an end all too soon and before we knew it the usual suspects were gathered outside our holiday home for the last time until next year.

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