The Hall and Mitchell families have known each other for more than 20 years. Greg Mitchell worked under Robert Hall at the hospital in York when the Mitchell family lived in Britain for several years in the 1980's. It just so happened that the Hall's daughter, Mary, settled in Victoria with regular holidays to Apollo Bay (still our favourite place in the world) and the families have kept in regular contact. So we had to visit Robert and Margie in their lovely haven of Castle Bolten in the Yorkshire Dales.
The Halls chose the one street village of Castle Bolten as a retreat from York and in their retirement, moved to the peaceful village. The Castle of the Bolten family sits at one end of the street and the Castle of Hall sits at the other! Note above: the view of the Wensleydale valley from their back garden behind Robert, Jane and Margie. 
We were privileged to benefit from the fruits of their labour in retirement, tasting so many home-grown vegies and fruits from the garden and being escorted on our best walking tour yet! These two are definitely not slowing down. When we rang to find a suitable weekend there was only one available between April and July! Both Robert and Margie have become keen wild flower enthusiasts and Robert is amazing at recognise the birds in the area, not only by their appearance but by the call too. On Saturday morning we made the most of the fairer weather (only spitting rain, not pouring) and went for a nature walk. 
Robert taught us about the grazing pastures in the area, pointed out the two previous school houses in Redmire, a tree that John Wesley preached from and several mills gone to ruin, showed us the different flowers growing wild in the fields, explained that the sheep in the dales are affectionately called wooly pigs because their faces are very pig-like AND found a harvest of wild mushrooms for breakfast on Sunday!
The Halls chose the one street village of Castle Bolten as a retreat from York and in their retirement, moved to the peaceful village. The Castle of the Bolten family sits at one end of the street and the Castle of Hall sits at the other! Note above: the view of the Wensleydale valley from their back garden behind Robert, Jane and Margie. 
We were privileged to benefit from the fruits of their labour in retirement, tasting so many home-grown vegies and fruits from the garden and being escorted on our best walking tour yet! These two are definitely not slowing down. When we rang to find a suitable weekend there was only one available between April and July! Both Robert and Margie have become keen wild flower enthusiasts and Robert is amazing at recognise the birds in the area, not only by their appearance but by the call too. On Saturday morning we made the most of the fairer weather (only spitting rain, not pouring) and went for a nature walk. 
Robert taught us about the grazing pastures in the area, pointed out the two previous school houses in Redmire, a tree that John Wesley preached from and several mills gone to ruin, showed us the different flowers growing wild in the fields, explained that the sheep in the dales are affectionately called wooly pigs because their faces are very pig-like AND found a harvest of wild mushrooms for breakfast on Sunday!
We're still here to tell the tale so he's also got a talent for identifying the good from the bad!
Then we were shown the family's secret spot, a private beach by the waterfall (but we'll never tell you where!). When the walking crowds arrive to disturb the peace, the Halls still hold their picnics, hidden by the cover of the trees. Robert produced apples, chocolate and a Thermos of coffee for the weary, wet wanderers for a much-needed rest by the waterfall. 
Sadly after lunch the weather got nasty. And stayed nasty for the rest of the weekend. The torrential rain was the worst we'd seen for months. But it gave us an excuse to check out the local English pubs and Greg sampled the local ale, The Black Sheep.