New room at the inn

摘要

Despite appearances, there's something of the night to Nun Monkton - due, in no small part, to its siting. For while the medieval village is nestled firmly inland, less than 10 miles west of York, it lies at the confluence of the Ouse and Nidd rivers; and with Mill Sike stream to the north, occupies a natural peninsula surrounded by water. This was perfect at the height of its powers when, before the dissolution of the monastaries, it boasted an affluent priory and four hostelries serving the fishermen's revels. Now, approaching from the east along the only road into the village, the sense of time coming to a standstill is accentuated by having to trail in behind a herd of cows lazily roaming the working green. Beyond the last straggler's swishing tail, I sense a rural silence as immense as the dropped pin of a maypole ahead, to which the village proper now seems to be tethered.