Boxing Day

Was it only two weeks ago that it was Christmas?  How quickly it all goes by... I wanted to share a few pictures of our Boxing Day, the first Boxing Day that we ever really recognized as a special kind of day other than being just "the day after Christmas."

Several people told us we should go out to watch the traditional hunt (that presumably isn't really allowed to hunt anymore) take off from the square.  As you can see, it's quite the affair!

It was fun to see children taking part as well.  I made the mistake of musing aloud that horse-riding lessons would be fun, which set James off on wanting to do that RIGHT NOW.  

We chatted with friends while we waited for the master of the hunt to call everyone to order. 

I wish my video of them leaving was better.  I'm not sure where the hounds were hiding before they left, but when the horn sounded, there was also a great yelping as they took off down the street with the clattering of hooves behind them.  We decided to walk along in the direction of Aldborough where they were riding across the fields.  I'm glad we did because I loved the few pictures I was able to snap of red coats in the mist.



A group of riders also came down the street where we were walking.  Trailing behind at the end was a little girl on a pony with her dad in running clothes jogging along beside her.

Aldborough is an old Roman town, established in the first century.  You can see a Roman column behind these riders.

It wasn't the loveliest of days but there's something nice even about winter skies.  It was good to be out together as a family; each time we go out we make new memories and new connections to this place, and that is a good thing.



The kids are becoming better walkers, though there are usually moments of what seems to be obligatory complaining.  We make sure to stop at interesting points along the way.

They got excited when we were back in the familiar streets of Boroughbridge.  As James has said a couple of times this week, "I think I know all around this city."