Bolsover Castle

My parents arrived Monday!  They started their journey in Germany by visiting my mother's German sister.  She is not really her sister, by blood, but definitely in spirit.  Hildegard spent a year with my mother's family as an exchange student when my mother was a sophomore in high school.  They have always kept in touch and visited each other's homes over the years.  After a nice visit, they took the train to Oxford, England to visit another dear friend.  Now they are here in Sheffield for a week!  Andrew has been in Leiden all week, so it was extra nice that they arrived to keep us company while he was away.

Yesterday we drove to Bolsover Castle, which was the home of William Cavendish.  Cavendish raised and trained horses in the art of dressage, and built beautiful stables to house his prize horses.  The castle is in partial ruin, but the stables are still in tact and they have horse shows on the weekends.  Bolsover sits up high on a hill and the views across the village and valley were beautiful.

We have one week left of our adventure and I think everyone is ready for the comforts of home!  We have seen some amazing things this summer, but the kids admitted last night that they are "touristed out"!  I think they are ready to sleep in their beds and hang out at the pool with their friends.  I think this last week we will take it easy and just do a few day trips out from Sheffield and enjoy being with the grandparents.

The courtyard of Bolsover Castle.  The kids wanted to set up camp under this tree!

The view from Bolsover

At one time, kitchens below, dining room above.  I loved the flowers growing in the ruins!

Grandmommy and Eli enjoying the view.