We Check Into Bob's Roots

Spent an hour or so checking out shops in Whitby this morning, before heading off to Leeds to meet Bob's second cousin (Ken and Linda Robbins, the parents of Pete, who gave us the Parliament tour). Ken's accent reminds us of Wallace of Wallace and Gromit fame, but I'm getting used to it, and thoroughly enjoying their company. They live in a house that is 130 years old, and there's a lovely English garden that is Linda's pride and joy. JoDee and Paul visited for awhile before heading home to the dogs. Ken and Linda will make sure we get back to Nottingham sometime tomorrow.

We took a quick field trip to see the Kirkstall Abbey, which was built starting in 1152. It was a monastery for 400 years, before King Henry VIII took all the churches and abbeys away in the dissolution. Not only do we not have anything this old in the States, what we have doesn't last that long, because we don't build it the way they did--it's utterly amazing.

Had a very nice dinner at home with Ken and Linda, and a nice long visit before bed. Tomorrow, we'll go to Leigh, which is where the rest of the family is, and where Bob's grandfather was born. Apparently a 'quick barbeque' has been put together.

Ken is pictured with Bob above.