I have frequently been disappointed, especially in retirement, returning to once visited or even frequented places. Perhaps I retain an idealised notion in my head as to how things used to be or maybe, just maybe, they have deteriorated. Often, of course, the disenchantment has stemmed from their growth in popularity, with crowds and traffic detracting from the experience.
There was no such let down yesterday when a friend and I went to see Skipton Castle. In my case, it was the first time I had stepped through the ancient gatehouse since my childhood. Consequently my memories were vague, although I do have an abiding recollection of my first ever encounter with a garderobe (medieval toilet), peering through a hole to the cliffside and water below! Guess what, it was still there and the drop from seat to beyond equally as impressive.
More than 900 years old, Skipton Castle claims to be one of the best preserved castles in England. As an adult with the experience of many more castle visits under my belt, I can certainly now vouch for that and was particularly taken with the Tudor courtyard, restored after the Civil War when, in 1659, a yew tree was planted as its centre-piece and still flourishes today. There is lead pipework dating from the same year and the downpipes have that date inscribed on them too.
(Photo taken on my last visit to Skipton when we did not venture inside the castle)
Choosing a decidedly cold and dull Thursday in February for our tour certainly avoided the throngs of visitors that I hate and, even strolling in the Castle Woods beforehand, we met very few walkers. The motto above the Castle Gate is in Norman French and reads “Des Or Mais” meaning “Henceforth.” Whilst I have often regarded haunts of old with trepidation, fearful of making uneasy comparisions with the past, henceforth and going forward, I shall not be so timorous.
