18th November, 2012

It started off as a sunny, crisp morning when we set out to do our Sunday 'chores' at 10 o'clock, but by the time we got to the Abbey at midday, the skies were darkening and the drizzle was forming into proper rain.

It was very busy down here at lunchtime. Someone pulled up with a horse and horsebox to do a bit of riding, and there were loads of people having Sunday lunch at the Abbey Mill Cafe, as well as families and dog walkers- the pathway from Roose is very popular.

We climbed up as high as we could on the other side of the Abbey today, and you get almost a 'birds-eye view' of the footprint of the building. The octagonal base of the kitchen is really clear from high up, I do wonder why it was built in that particular shape??

We spotted this bird of prey circling over the railwaylines today- not sure what it is, but there are often birds of prey of different types hovering around- they nest somewhere high up I think.

We always think of that scene from The Railway Children when we look along the lines with the cottage here- the scene where Bobby has to tear up her red flannel petticoat and wave it to stop the train from having an accident- I think the banking has slid down onto the lines. Frankie says I won't have long to wait until I watch it again because it's on every Christmas and I watch it every Christmas. I'm sure Bernard Cribbins lives in this cottage!