Pontefract

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1y

Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Jun 3, 2022, 7:30pm
- ⛅ 59 °F
- Altitude: 226 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.690911, -1.30960453°41’27” N 1°18’35” W
Day 11
Family Jubilee Party
June 3, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Jodie's Mum and Dad had a family barbeque today as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend. It was our first meeting with our grandson, Nathaniel. He is just adorable! We played a ring toss game and he distributed the rings to all of us to throw. We enjoyed meeting Paul's Mum too. She still lives in her own house--good for her!

The house was beautifully decorated with the British colors and the food was excellent. We even had scones with cream and jam!

A lovely sunny day added to the celebration. To top it all off, Nathaniel gave us a "Welcome to Yorkshire" greeting that he and his Mum had made, and we each got a hug!Read more
Traveler So very happy for all of you. Looks like a fun celebration.
6/4/22Reply
Traveler What a wonderful time! 🥰
6/4/22Reply
Traveler Yes, it was wonderful!
6/5/22Reply
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Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Jul 12, 2022, 4:30pm
- ☁️ 75 °F
- Altitude: 138 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.69044, -1.30706553°41’26” N 1°18’25” W
Day 50
Friarwood Valley Garden
July 12, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
This garden is on the site of a former Dominican Friary, founded in 1256. Liquorice plants were brought here by these monks for medicinal purposes. Later the land was divided up and used by small farmers to grow fruits and vegetables. In the 1950s the city started a public garden here, with many flowering cherry trees. It must be beautiful in the spring!Read more
It looks like a beautiful time to be there now too. [Barb Walkington]
7/17/22Reply
Traveler Yes, it is, although we've been having heat waves!
7/19/22Reply
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Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Jul 13, 2022, 10:43am
- ⛅ 66 °F
- Altitude: 138 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.688814, -1.31101553°41’20” N 1°18’40” W
Day 51
Pontefract Castle Ruins
July 13, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Pontefract Castle was built in 1070 as a "motte-and-bailey" castle: an earth mound (motte) topped by a defense tower (keep), with an inner courtyard (bailey) surrounded by a wooden palisade. Over the centuries, it was enlarged, and the walls converted to stone, becoming one of the largest castles in England.

In the 1600s Civil War between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians, this castle was under siege three times. Because of so much damage to the town during the sieges, the townfolk petitioned Parliament to destroy the castle to prevent it from happening again.

All Saints Church, just below the castle, was heavily damaged during the Civil War. The chancel was repaired and the church continued in use. A new nave was inserted inside the ruins in 1967.Read more
Really enjoy following your travels. You make it so interesting. Sure hope heat and fires are not in your area. [Linda Houk]
7/19/22Reply
Traveler Thank you! No fires here.
7/19/22Reply
How are you holding up with the record high temperatures in the UK? [Del and Nancy]
7/19/22Reply
Traveler It's very hot and no one has air conditioning! But the heat waves only last a few days at a time.
7/19/22Reply
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Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Aug 24, 2022, 12:23pm
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 233 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.691742, -1.31057253°41’30” N 1°18’38” W
Day 93
Family Times With Nathaniel
August 24, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
We've had some fun times with our grandson, Nathaniel, this summer! Sometimes we join the family for days out, or we hang out at their house. They sometimes come to where we are housesitting, to meet the pets in our care and have dinner. We have gone to a festival, and some playgrounds. No matter what we do, we enjoy our time with him so much!Read more
We are enjoying following your adventure. [Del & Nancy]
8/30/22Reply
Traveler Thank you! We're glad!
8/30/22Reply
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Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Jul 11, 2022, 1:30pm
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 233 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.691742, -1.31057253°41’30” N 1°18’38” W
Day 49
Pontefract Racecourse
July 11, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Horse racing is the third largest spectator sport in Great Britain. The first horse race in Britain was in 1622, and rules were established in 1750.

Great Britain has 60 racecourses. Pontefract's is a 2-mile oval grassy course that surrounds a large park with 2 lakes, picnic grounds, playgrounds, and walking trails. The Grandstand looks quite festive.Read more
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Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Jul 11, 2022, 10:30am
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: 217 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.692388, -1.31417753°41’33” N 1°18’51” W
Day 49
Pontefract Market and Town Center
July 11, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
We are staying in an apartment in downtown Pontefract. It is a very walkable town of 31,800 people. There is a large market place, about 2-3 blocks, with the Town Hall at one end and a church and the Buttercross at the other. The 1734 Buttercross is an old stone shelter used by people selling dairy products.

A very nice museum in a former Library built in 1904 gives the history of the town. There are stories about mining, liquorice, voting, and an exhibition about Rachel List, a Pontefract artist. She has painted at least 11 tribute murals to the NHS during the pandemic. It was a way to say "thank you" to front-line workers, and has become a source of civic pride.Read more
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Traveler Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022
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- Jul 10, 2022, 5:00pm
- ☀️ 77 °F
- Altitude: 230 ft
- England Wakefield Pontefract 53.687634, -1.32938653°41’15” N 1°19’46” W
Day 48
Grandson Nathaniel Turns 3!
July 10, 2022 in England ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
We celebrated Nate's 3rd birthday with a barbeque at his maternal grandparents' home. He had a beautiful cake made by his great-aunt!
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You might also know this place by the following names:

Pontefract, Понтифракт, پونتفراکت, 폰트프랙트, Понтефракт, GBPOF, Q1009235

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