During early June, many Gypsies travel to the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland to showcase their horses for sale and to have a good old knees-up. Most visiting Gypsies are national, but some make the extra effort and come from abroad for this special occasion.

Whilst the horses themselves are a large part of the attraction, many come to see the wild and unusual ways of these travelling folk. In a sense, it's like looking back in time for some of their ways of life, but the simplicity of living must bring with it a welcome lack of stresses and strains as is common with the modern world.

To the civilised eye, the Gypsies appear unruly and living according to their own laws. Consider a regular citizen driving 35mph down the main street slightly over the drinking limit, one would expect them to be apprehended very quickly. However there doesn't appear to be an issue with a wild Gypsy tearing down the street bare back on a horse brandishing a bottle of whiskey, and you'll see much of this craziness during this week.

All in all definitely something to be seen if you're in the area, but unlikely that you'll want to come back year after year.