TRAVEL THE WORLD - BELAPAIS ABBEY, NORTH CYPRUS

This twelfth-century monastery, which we visited in 2006, is a fine example of Gothic architecture from the Lusignan period. There are extensive ruins set in lovely grounds in the mountains about ten minutes from Kyrenia in North Cyprus You can also visit the abbey church. Being there was a pleasure; it was calm, peaceful and beautiful. Not far from here you can look up and see St. Hilarion, a castle, originally a monastery, perched high up on a mountain.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - MONT SAINT-MICHEL, FRANCE

Like all great medieval churches, the abbey church at Mont Saint-Michel is a marvel of design and construction, a reflection of the faith and devotion that inspired all of these wonderful buildings. As a visitor in 2008 it was easy to imagine the monks here at Mont Saint-Michel living lives of prayer, poverty and good works until finally, like many great institutions, the monasteries seemed to have become victims of their own success, entirely abandoning their original purpose, leaving only the wonderful churches as memoirs.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - MONT SAINT-MICHEL, FRANCE

Mont Saint-Michel is a World Heritage Site and a must-see for travelers to the north of France. The climb to the top was strenuous, but well worth the effort. It is amazing to think that this was an abbey and pilgrimage centre from the time of its foundation in 708 by the Bishop of Avranches until, by the time of the French Revolution, only a few monks were in residence and the abbey had been made into a prison. Legend has it that St. Michael the Archangel appeared to the bishop and instructed him to build a church here. The second photo is the view from the top.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - FOUNTAINS ABBEY, NORTH YORKSHIRE, U.K.

A nice change from the rainy time we had in Yorkshire in 1994 was the day we spent at Fountains Abbey. This is a World Heritage Site that is owned by the National Trust. It is a huge site that includes the largest abbey ruins in the country as well as the Studley Royal Water Garden. It was pleasant weather. We had a leisurely stroll and a picnic on the grass.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - MONT ST. MICHEL, FRANCE

Before we took our 2008 vacation in the north of France, we had heard of Mont St. Michel and seen photos of it. As we approached it, I wondered if seeing it was worth the huge climb that would be required and if, in fact, we were up to it physically. Once we began, however, it wasn't so bad, and seeing the interior of the abbey church was well worth the effort.

LIFE OF MY FATHER, JOHN DARIMONT - 2

ROOTS

The Darimont family had its origins in Wallonia, in the eastern part of French-speaking Belgium at Arimont near Malmedy. The first written mention of the family that we know of is recorded at Stavelot Abbey where records show Arimont as one of the Abbey's possessions in the late 12th Century. By the 14th Century, the family had moved north to Jalhay. The family name was originally Arimont (possibly meaning arid mountain), then d'Arimont and, finally, Darimont. The photo shows the family coat of arms.