Illuminating!

Have you ever opened a door and the what you see before you leaves you speechless?

Well that certainly happened to me today.
We had an hour to fill before lunch and saw a sign to a Norman Church, so turned off down a narrow country lane and eventually came to the village of Garton - on - the - Wolds, and the church of St. Michael and All Angels.

What we saw inside was just unbelievable. Amazing. So beautiful, and just so unexpected.

Although the church was mentioned in the Domesday Book it was replaced in the 12th century by a large but simple building of a nave, a chancel and west tower.
It has been added to altered and added to since. The last time in 1857 - 7 by Sir Tatton Sykes, 4th baronet of Sledmere.
Then in 1872 his son the 5th baronet, embarked on a lavish programme of decoration under the supervision of G.E.Street a leading London architect. The wall paintings were done by the celebrated firm of Clayton & Bell. The walls and roof paintings were completed by July 1876.

The paintings were conserved in 1986-91 by Donald Smith and Wolfgang Gardner, with funds raised by the Pevesner Memorial Trust and local residents.

Unfortunately my photos don’t do the church justice, and I could have spent much longer looking at the individual paintings. Will be back another day. ( see map) collage on extras.
Lunch beckoned, and so we finished a wonderful few days with a delicious lunch at our favourite place. The Star at Sancton.

Back home enjoying a cuppa.
Will certainly sleep well.

Yesterday’s Yorkshire quiz was too easy. I think you all knew the answer was Alan Bennett.

Question No. 10. May be a little harder!

Which waterfall has England’s longest unbroken drop?