tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61363298037070615412024-03-19T11:53:04.856+00:00other thoughtsa blog about mid-life adventures from exploring outdoors in countryside and gardens to exploring ideas and music in fields at festivals, plus a space for all those thoughts that have nowhere else to go ...maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.comBlogger891125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-491761975606639172024-03-19T11:52:00.001+00:002024-03-19T11:52:05.681+00:00Sizergh - gardens and a short walk<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNgGqcmp9sUGAXoGV7igH9JTeQwrRxdkf5nDYrvS1QCWtG4pDDlccn3jWgnuw4dZo47ZoWgY6mRij5znh0FS8f1CwHXgz3diDlGheNNMqdLBhLOEldVWCThdL11e6szNlYJbsqK3PN_3_7zh9Mi15P7TWEqO0J4Lj6KcGIVpf9yRbQEUE6xYze88kD69L/s4032/IMG_8762.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNgGqcmp9sUGAXoGV7igH9JTeQwrRxdkf5nDYrvS1QCWtG4pDDlccn3jWgnuw4dZo47ZoWgY6mRij5znh0FS8f1CwHXgz3diDlGheNNMqdLBhLOEldVWCThdL11e6szNlYJbsqK3PN_3_7zh9Mi15P7TWEqO0J4Lj6KcGIVpf9yRbQEUE6xYze88kD69L/s320/IMG_8762.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At last I found the host of golden daffodils that I'd been looking for. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln1kofn6XejLujMi5uS5NFNaEHHfZoaI6PXqGRtFDZrZH09NoDnTWJfkTvZy-WCCXq6ZtmN9IDmTcQDau-IM3c8wc1bAniQXx83AMSJIPO9iypCNwo5X0RQOzPEnDhvmQO6dgD_05EErhGuAjyYJ5BvTghMoprglp7JhSAtOs7o5DJrGmywjtrYzHNV_d/s4032/IMG_8764.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln1kofn6XejLujMi5uS5NFNaEHHfZoaI6PXqGRtFDZrZH09NoDnTWJfkTvZy-WCCXq6ZtmN9IDmTcQDau-IM3c8wc1bAniQXx83AMSJIPO9iypCNwo5X0RQOzPEnDhvmQO6dgD_05EErhGuAjyYJ5BvTghMoprglp7JhSAtOs7o5DJrGmywjtrYzHNV_d/s320/IMG_8764.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, maybe not quite a host as many weren't quite in flower but enough to imagine this bank covered in bright yellow in a week or so's time.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nQ1M_-eY2l5lNg8yY4tUzyYmvRHPqZm8KoOOjpDNHEoduzwAOBkziU-8S-d6OpGCXs8gbpzeoFyBiyEYfI8htMVl_l06A52CZzx69M4HTQxD7HVO8AL02z876bNzg8FAsuM7Cj28_5NfqmGFm92w4kQTshuzNQX8Ph57AhQSbF_A2h5RT0BK6EnjszU2/s4032/IMG_8765.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nQ1M_-eY2l5lNg8yY4tUzyYmvRHPqZm8KoOOjpDNHEoduzwAOBkziU-8S-d6OpGCXs8gbpzeoFyBiyEYfI8htMVl_l06A52CZzx69M4HTQxD7HVO8AL02z876bNzg8FAsuM7Cj28_5NfqmGFm92w4kQTshuzNQX8Ph57AhQSbF_A2h5RT0BK6EnjszU2/s320/IMG_8765.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpk48YfmGhcETT9WWfIgpSr-75phglEBwG2qrtHPBAda-wooHWTh-0wsstQtPlVHNt5BPL-vBZowYAmwIcPm9djKlB786zLn6eNTVk-HlLbfNMwu8zP18X3_6dNj6whHxaaiE5HjuHB93MAKcNlRHePteCOEQVkpvJZV-L9yAkXAFAeubW5civ-Zf5gf_/s4032/IMG_8766.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpk48YfmGhcETT9WWfIgpSr-75phglEBwG2qrtHPBAda-wooHWTh-0wsstQtPlVHNt5BPL-vBZowYAmwIcPm9djKlB786zLn6eNTVk-HlLbfNMwu8zP18X3_6dNj6whHxaaiE5HjuHB93MAKcNlRHePteCOEQVkpvJZV-L9yAkXAFAeubW5civ-Zf5gf_/w400-h300/IMG_8766.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYx3te0dSg6iVnuyixJgXS7v3hDgoPP_Spwgnlorq0xJ2eZq4IZykG2aHEzg9NUehvx-dymum02w0gr0Nj7jHjHMtuIyMZebTNFihWZ6PdtqlKFy5vl1HeVXif4lKt-0_qnZQlv20S4p00hjk1C7iB0tMZLJYUauJLphPKv-mh9lZhzeaQuwK7_sAaacF0/s4032/IMG_8767.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYx3te0dSg6iVnuyixJgXS7v3hDgoPP_Spwgnlorq0xJ2eZq4IZykG2aHEzg9NUehvx-dymum02w0gr0Nj7jHjHMtuIyMZebTNFihWZ6PdtqlKFy5vl1HeVXif4lKt-0_qnZQlv20S4p00hjk1C7iB0tMZLJYUauJLphPKv-mh9lZhzeaQuwK7_sAaacF0/w150-h200/IMG_8767.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>Te rest of the gardens were pretty quiet with areas roped off while grass recovered from the dreadful wet weather, but here and there were bursts of colour, and the rock garden with its small waterfalls and pools must be lovely at any time of year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidWhS5WlI2piC8kKa9kUP_W3srPMhnzSkCvuKqQgXLnpCprfdDKDjSYkbZJF355DFjo1uLMlFEeTr89IcQWPFQZrxlVZtds9JoVXEls_gJOpQxVvHqWE0kcNXx_vC5AXUP70TGrHxBeNqVkEobXV5crtNn6HcGAwqfP9AxVzhAgLsx_CMRpk1ClQ8nzlR/s4032/IMG_8769.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidWhS5WlI2piC8kKa9kUP_W3srPMhnzSkCvuKqQgXLnpCprfdDKDjSYkbZJF355DFjo1uLMlFEeTr89IcQWPFQZrxlVZtds9JoVXEls_gJOpQxVvHqWE0kcNXx_vC5AXUP70TGrHxBeNqVkEobXV5crtNn6HcGAwqfP9AxVzhAgLsx_CMRpk1ClQ8nzlR/s320/IMG_8769.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXEaP6l9_qERG36MTf5_GFu4i4ZQ4IZESYaI6pRtrAOYKUbgPZJOtaLHamyI-8IhimqVYtXLjGAuuCdAEaQ1fD3ItKYfix8sjhywWGws70viXv1lpwPzQSz8yxNyiofCSNG4hspyh0uTZcVtFcAB-A-TsclwFBwZv5egGPzZfLOVQpn4IpgbqEr3gtsJf/s4032/IMG_8771.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXEaP6l9_qERG36MTf5_GFu4i4ZQ4IZESYaI6pRtrAOYKUbgPZJOtaLHamyI-8IhimqVYtXLjGAuuCdAEaQ1fD3ItKYfix8sjhywWGws70viXv1lpwPzQSz8yxNyiofCSNG4hspyh0uTZcVtFcAB-A-TsclwFBwZv5egGPzZfLOVQpn4IpgbqEr3gtsJf/s320/IMG_8771.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Just outside the formal garden is a small wood with more banks of daffodils by a larger pond, and even some snowdrops.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2VJxBIDETvrcSVmc5MyX7PcW_aiQKLqEZkrp_JdFV1jQS4gYsIWeJD-gZfTeNnm_XGiZ_inBskStZJMtjmZ0zagG6CPKQwOAkusI8sEckWVK2GRNOZZdvXIGvFPT-e_l8HiJSjT-i6PccPD1TXdApJoc2IJGqgLpSS2ikt6VCKcu7qR8g6CGqkcxZKN3/s4032/IMG_8773.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2VJxBIDETvrcSVmc5MyX7PcW_aiQKLqEZkrp_JdFV1jQS4gYsIWeJD-gZfTeNnm_XGiZ_inBskStZJMtjmZ0zagG6CPKQwOAkusI8sEckWVK2GRNOZZdvXIGvFPT-e_l8HiJSjT-i6PccPD1TXdApJoc2IJGqgLpSS2ikt6VCKcu7qR8g6CGqkcxZKN3/s320/IMG_8773.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xfrtThfKNcghF4ZybqYfg67GYHqAtjtevRlzkP-WF-u3kPp2DpMT3UJCCk26eF6p7vmp70gq5AyCIH_uSSd36oJM-xRw7yd7Ax8Kl540xhbdpblubMgTLCPKa6iTv2eaKG7dwX8pYWXjYhRR_FAh5-sRZkxfPlcwFxAcro3dl9auhk2p4wOPgAp-qMTn/s4032/IMG_8775.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xfrtThfKNcghF4ZybqYfg67GYHqAtjtevRlzkP-WF-u3kPp2DpMT3UJCCk26eF6p7vmp70gq5AyCIH_uSSd36oJM-xRw7yd7Ax8Kl540xhbdpblubMgTLCPKa6iTv2eaKG7dwX8pYWXjYhRR_FAh5-sRZkxfPlcwFxAcro3dl9auhk2p4wOPgAp-qMTn/w400-h300/IMG_8775.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div>I've stopped off at Sizergh before but on that occasion didn't have time to explore the paths through the wider estate. This time, despite growing complaints from my legs, I was persuaded to attempt the shortest walk, probably not much more than a mile (if that).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMigcW8eLaIImHwByf19Id_-tXqg_kraEeryFIk4-9964bpfbj4UGflRI5sLpFl7IaG9OdznuZe7ru28JoP0HGWpkrPdPc3Hz_D69BDBFse0OuYdkenqd5cHO0tXQ-q9hsVV3wEZntI3UbMy-C3VdtaQmxeN3gjOtxngXHXnsLvBpr8elIkuSL3UoT0OGu/s4032/IMG_8776.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMigcW8eLaIImHwByf19Id_-tXqg_kraEeryFIk4-9964bpfbj4UGflRI5sLpFl7IaG9OdznuZe7ru28JoP0HGWpkrPdPc3Hz_D69BDBFse0OuYdkenqd5cHO0tXQ-q9hsVV3wEZntI3UbMy-C3VdtaQmxeN3gjOtxngXHXnsLvBpr8elIkuSL3UoT0OGu/s320/IMG_8776.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>The path led somewhat uphill, not strenuously, through a band of woodland, past mossy walls and pastures where ewes and young lambs were being put out to graze, then gradually back downhill to join a lane which led back to the visitor centre.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E7WQ_4YYXi17wLUrY_985b5ahkcLycTHq7zwi1Mzm8n6n8BPKTJ9RxQ7US5TubT1lT7nTZMpRJsLfJLv30gaWr6qPke2fG5Lhtx0-iZzxrmnFk5PGu5YOI8Xeu8aQkV_oIqC1uxUXzM6xEMLpybKcWWDLIx6VGCI3AU3YeCB1cql-WQh8aiP3wEyPxUE/w150-h200/IMG_8779.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qXZD-fT_pVcunIvQSNEb9w0CapCw8SRhCaqV6WEC4gGFJPal0FhqSB5hJW6ckQmSujnem_pwyYwXIR0Ny7ik2UVL98sLBtpk5Ev-C8ECdlSOyaDrsFS7Rw2ndb85ad_9TMg6oat7kjrv7R8Osvc6gTDFaZ9I6NefawrkWY59a7vfnQbBZ4trXE8ShEM2/s4032/IMG_8781.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qXZD-fT_pVcunIvQSNEb9w0CapCw8SRhCaqV6WEC4gGFJPal0FhqSB5hJW6ckQmSujnem_pwyYwXIR0Ny7ik2UVL98sLBtpk5Ev-C8ECdlSOyaDrsFS7Rw2ndb85ad_9TMg6oat7kjrv7R8Osvc6gTDFaZ9I6NefawrkWY59a7vfnQbBZ4trXE8ShEM2/w400-h300/IMG_8781.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3VYw1ZeWtJmyFJIjemKw5KVssCKQfEN0nnU6OJmzcqqRlBdNU8CII_LcY6w7Wdqu9KcHNs3b1AaLx4IfOED8eh7OXC1Zmwch47KAoHw8cJxh9ALBXxnZ_7Hk34gRX5jFv3H3S5KfGZmW_ass0xqTq0l63K_xpO6n5g9juXuQ7u4q9WS4rJOpqcD-nJf0/w300-h400/IMG_8784.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /> With the sun continuing to break through the clouds, it was a lovely afternoon. Next time, although I always say this, I'll be fit enough to tackle a longer route.<p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-37119660117311512852024-03-17T19:59:00.003+00:002024-03-17T19:59:20.353+00:00Fell Foot <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21hwpSq-kJDXFcCLwX4GWStMn_CrRjaDt8h1Uew39MmIWicSkTS3xo3Tmm9YpGglyBDOZ_kRt3LL9tNKj6hfZVHvMxMkaFP1TIWvWHYC6_uc07r41wS7yAnJ8CcFJLm29jRF50f5vnfAPtjLBcPVNyl6FZY0qe31U4VvAMlrCIa74JlNn0r5Xf1nZ8jJI/s4032/IMG_8754.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21hwpSq-kJDXFcCLwX4GWStMn_CrRjaDt8h1Uew39MmIWicSkTS3xo3Tmm9YpGglyBDOZ_kRt3LL9tNKj6hfZVHvMxMkaFP1TIWvWHYC6_uc07r41wS7yAnJ8CcFJLm29jRF50f5vnfAPtjLBcPVNyl6FZY0qe31U4VvAMlrCIa74JlNn0r5Xf1nZ8jJI/w400-h300/IMG_8754.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Sunday, as we started our journey home, the sun appeared. Fortunately we weren't hurrying anywhere and were able to enjoy it at the National Trust's Fell Foot Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzuM7knziO-ThKN8RzApC476g63_K2RT8Z6nP6fjfjyXWHUQHFNwcPLx4Ed-U3Nz3FnovCeLakfB1cnLNInzbjBiY_4pM4eZ6hOuf7YHsRya3hlMCGvWh3L9MSFCovyLVzVjPBtUpxbsAgl2deDtd8l7x0kccJNuOH4r3QFVglJ2kpakueV8jWAxteJ8q/s4032/IMG_8749.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzuM7knziO-ThKN8RzApC476g63_K2RT8Z6nP6fjfjyXWHUQHFNwcPLx4Ed-U3Nz3FnovCeLakfB1cnLNInzbjBiY_4pM4eZ6hOuf7YHsRya3hlMCGvWh3L9MSFCovyLVzVjPBtUpxbsAgl2deDtd8l7x0kccJNuOH4r3QFVglJ2kpakueV8jWAxteJ8q/s320/IMG_8749.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>A grand Victorian house once stood on the site but that was demolished years ago. Boathouses and their remains still survive at the water's edge though - and one has even been turned into a lovely, and unusual cafe.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac_KSv1h74JVrV_cV_LjDOnnCTe-WjpfgaN8AN5Svx1uS7kTLj1LSEW7uZxqsTcqPoWAdynDeczEe2l5YTedq7ZAREbndeWFNZvtdaOcLZooymV9QClnbvBiveclDh-t_TFP49DnArv6i6Bt9mQ4GQgCBTKGFsz3Y99WNLlouebTSde2UbelaghrRkylg/s4028/IMG_8752.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="2420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac_KSv1h74JVrV_cV_LjDOnnCTe-WjpfgaN8AN5Svx1uS7kTLj1LSEW7uZxqsTcqPoWAdynDeczEe2l5YTedq7ZAREbndeWFNZvtdaOcLZooymV9QClnbvBiveclDh-t_TFP49DnArv6i6Bt9mQ4GQgCBTKGFsz3Y99WNLlouebTSde2UbelaghrRkylg/s320/IMG_8752.JPEG" width="192" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT9m75S87M2Axhf7LUvf34Bq1h8N3R3WsDjtOYFnT-F3CFeOcWyaSh_haAyT0RjUm8fj7Bk0E5JovkZORXy16x1DBbmDTGt3hsZg37EhN7v_xNblu3j_sHXIhCf20Yr_HwTiHjMZi5l6WM_mUCsXLdgZKIzWW2-UtfgLrpxewvnrw0rLQi3MiENxNDa84/s4032/IMG_8755.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT9m75S87M2Axhf7LUvf34Bq1h8N3R3WsDjtOYFnT-F3CFeOcWyaSh_haAyT0RjUm8fj7Bk0E5JovkZORXy16x1DBbmDTGt3hsZg37EhN7v_xNblu3j_sHXIhCf20Yr_HwTiHjMZi5l6WM_mUCsXLdgZKIzWW2-UtfgLrpxewvnrw0rLQi3MiENxNDa84/w400-h300/IMG_8755.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are water activities on offer here but we contented ourselves with a downhill walk to the cafe, and a back uphill one to the car park. It wasn't a long walk as yet again some of the paths were wet and muddy after the recent (and not so recent) rain.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOV2NQAnjo14Lmd_GBQ78QqH15MXaT1PIxgpsf6eNkN0OaD-WGIDAKUVueSNYWnMtNd-YoLtYbcbuGd1_fXRlmlCel0yapbyDDXCQn_FwmHnM5qvd67KMCeh4rwm-Oa2XC1jOF9Mb_NokuBh3JjLZl11s9-G4Y0WnAK5MOlNKm2XlUOfDI_UwgGxViB_R/s4032/IMG_8756.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOV2NQAnjo14Lmd_GBQ78QqH15MXaT1PIxgpsf6eNkN0OaD-WGIDAKUVueSNYWnMtNd-YoLtYbcbuGd1_fXRlmlCel0yapbyDDXCQn_FwmHnM5qvd67KMCeh4rwm-Oa2XC1jOF9Mb_NokuBh3JjLZl11s9-G4Y0WnAK5MOlNKm2XlUOfDI_UwgGxViB_R/s320/IMG_8756.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqEy9aM9yhx6U2jjhty5Z6lW8tE55OppTMS6S-Dakmoj1nVGNEKuryv08CCMihSyZKoI4ZI-cbvj1J_qZa3X-f2VvvHKHuYGXEALMP6J6yF4-xIG1ycfRpi5sbZpHR_ivREE95VUDcrl3QXRC3-flHS_FU56AfjYNIud_ZsAHihGPJfUZ9d1wRqwXz65v/s4032/IMG_8757.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqEy9aM9yhx6U2jjhty5Z6lW8tE55OppTMS6S-Dakmoj1nVGNEKuryv08CCMihSyZKoI4ZI-cbvj1J_qZa3X-f2VvvHKHuYGXEALMP6J6yF4-xIG1ycfRpi5sbZpHR_ivREE95VUDcrl3QXRC3-flHS_FU56AfjYNIud_ZsAHihGPJfUZ9d1wRqwXz65v/s320/IMG_8757.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's a pleasant spot though, to just amble by the waterside and watch boats and canoes going past.</div><div>Another place that I'd like to visit again, hopefully in drier weather.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxU6eix3sjxGsX8kGpGl-yMYlCN_rSOl63tP8fQk7IWmdmAimndyx_pPPE4ARJDiF3MVt1JVSmyE6_Kt14DgyLHj6JfiPKfkBRQkCCUVUFvpk_y2JyLhB66Mx-gL43ztuUPZAhKM-Yu49Vy_9BUeaFf54NUK92xWlfl6O_lGURd1YTw3e6OLNS5SxSOds/s4032/IMG_8758.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxU6eix3sjxGsX8kGpGl-yMYlCN_rSOl63tP8fQk7IWmdmAimndyx_pPPE4ARJDiF3MVt1JVSmyE6_Kt14DgyLHj6JfiPKfkBRQkCCUVUFvpk_y2JyLhB66Mx-gL43ztuUPZAhKM-Yu49Vy_9BUeaFf54NUK92xWlfl6O_lGURd1YTw3e6OLNS5SxSOds/s320/IMG_8758.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTHPMQVIlnsxEG6MTBAaKQq9n60fhWshZMppeQPEckJ1Q07gMaLsfWUyWx1HGzC-TY4K-5LJskNQMhvrbpswdhTmSZ6DYtNNOKaiWWjfXxtul4ChyphenhyphenBGGZNJXyKp2JaSYz4QMWjdA9brEO2z4xVV9yboK9b_JxVYa6uSCulNJHQDva9Jy1K1VAbXz-VIVL/s4032/IMG_8759.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTHPMQVIlnsxEG6MTBAaKQq9n60fhWshZMppeQPEckJ1Q07gMaLsfWUyWx1HGzC-TY4K-5LJskNQMhvrbpswdhTmSZ6DYtNNOKaiWWjfXxtul4ChyphenhyphenBGGZNJXyKp2JaSYz4QMWjdA9brEO2z4xVV9yboK9b_JxVYa6uSCulNJHQDva9Jy1K1VAbXz-VIVL/w400-h300/IMG_8759.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-5749792504363056032024-03-16T19:49:00.005+00:002024-03-17T19:28:10.370+00:00Wray Castle <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8D9fl2Nv-4_H9TO3fJsCk_G3YlL_7i9496M7IPvws4dYNK6-CxOZqRDEr9B00Jano1iWZ-s9oeoCIZsXSBXwtKUgcpdKT0eU_HCXufeByAtdMXJpfenGHoaUzIiDwOd4XMJl81wEIouDJdw7QewN0gg2w0_QqP3N0fd6oo9os93iQHQc9yl3KjYwUbf_/s4032/IMG_8733.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8D9fl2Nv-4_H9TO3fJsCk_G3YlL_7i9496M7IPvws4dYNK6-CxOZqRDEr9B00Jano1iWZ-s9oeoCIZsXSBXwtKUgcpdKT0eU_HCXufeByAtdMXJpfenGHoaUzIiDwOd4XMJl81wEIouDJdw7QewN0gg2w0_QqP3N0fd6oo9os93iQHQc9yl3KjYwUbf_/w400-h300/IMG_8733.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wray Castle, on a promontory overlooking Lake Winderemere, looks like it's stood there since the middle ages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, from foundations to battlements, it's a fake, built in the mid-1800s as a countryside retreat by a wealthy Liverpool doctor and his wife, and now owned by the National Trust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o4aDmmEsnWftCQ4gUUWprP8oTvyxIamlaaCMgq1FD2p62ME6eGJm8Sc_LH-31-pf9-R6J59yFKCs0tC4smBZUXToIol-6P5o-YhQNCtQv5xAmJfS4Znz3Gh1c4JY54g4gHyJantkjg-SlRV6uNlMveRvHHahBr4GEug2dyFHDGY2LdwaT3jQNjL8eHXl/s4032/IMG_8718.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o4aDmmEsnWftCQ4gUUWprP8oTvyxIamlaaCMgq1FD2p62ME6eGJm8Sc_LH-31-pf9-R6J59yFKCs0tC4smBZUXToIol-6P5o-YhQNCtQv5xAmJfS4Znz3Gh1c4JY54g4gHyJantkjg-SlRV6uNlMveRvHHahBr4GEug2dyFHDGY2LdwaT3jQNjL8eHXl/s320/IMG_8718.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Other Lakeland houses of the time were comparatively modest villas but Margaret Dawson inherited a huge fortune from her father, and the couple could indulge their every whim. The castle is designed to look as if it has stood there forever, and had changes made as fashions changed. There are even mock ruins suggesting demolished outer defences in the grounds! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRGjJQIBlcTH0PRYa8quD_Legg-XDM2gl6Zi1RO04Iw0G36poY4dbnjHvUnliHDmWGXhCYZGitaycjagE7cJx62k-pWREojnK4jX5-qdJbsbQJ1DOldsgZGlPEYzASGTIQrUt9pfQfxsAkZDiYY0v5Czqu-tnIlYM-9PKUY9LhV6M9zGC2I9zlfBdg6Kp/s4032/IMG_8720.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRGjJQIBlcTH0PRYa8quD_Legg-XDM2gl6Zi1RO04Iw0G36poY4dbnjHvUnliHDmWGXhCYZGitaycjagE7cJx62k-pWREojnK4jX5-qdJbsbQJ1DOldsgZGlPEYzASGTIQrUt9pfQfxsAkZDiYY0v5Czqu-tnIlYM-9PKUY9LhV6M9zGC2I9zlfBdg6Kp/s320/IMG_8720.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>After the Dawsons died, the property passed to a distant relative who leased the castle to summer visitors, among them the family of Beatrix Potter. Inside the castle there's currently an exhibition of photographs taken by Mr Pottter on holidays around the Lake District - some informal family groups, some of landscape. I was quite surprised at them as I must admit that, based on the film <i>Miss Potter</i> starring Renee Zellweger, I'd thought of him as a rather dull businessman with no interest in arts of any kind. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside, is a gothic re-imagining of how a castle should look with tiled floors and fireplaces, and ornate windows to frame the view.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiT2i3C0MYbriI7G-dqs9jR-APpJmBUfE2UeW25Y3YVG7qJY5kfs5Kb8zCN4MPvysHiDMr2hC0NVLDjOsf8CRjBhoE45DrjMFKqG-OZvXZbPmSk2Z4EfrLLVZRBoRGj_NANP_KBfn_qrfw6stbHW55s1cmq9IWbSbs8vzeNhGFFNT8wmYVe8BRCsHW5mK/s4032/IMG_8726.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiT2i3C0MYbriI7G-dqs9jR-APpJmBUfE2UeW25Y3YVG7qJY5kfs5Kb8zCN4MPvysHiDMr2hC0NVLDjOsf8CRjBhoE45DrjMFKqG-OZvXZbPmSk2Z4EfrLLVZRBoRGj_NANP_KBfn_qrfw6stbHW55s1cmq9IWbSbs8vzeNhGFFNT8wmYVe8BRCsHW5mK/s320/IMG_8726.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFl1BhmkvwSCl1w6K2dqkZLwIxCdcac_5MnsEqm_xBFTP4CBFkoNwwHQsgGk9-4_6ipkN8JqYQNrFdM3tXBIb2yMfFLujT1bLxL-DDMZ8b3AX-SwMd2-Vjt_kVCC3KljSJlWBu7VDofNpDWcXDHCk2TZlQm63FyVnsLz0-l9C967y29a_ceVwRPvBo_qp/s4032/IMG_8724.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFl1BhmkvwSCl1w6K2dqkZLwIxCdcac_5MnsEqm_xBFTP4CBFkoNwwHQsgGk9-4_6ipkN8JqYQNrFdM3tXBIb2yMfFLujT1bLxL-DDMZ8b3AX-SwMd2-Vjt_kVCC3KljSJlWBu7VDofNpDWcXDHCk2TZlQm63FyVnsLz0-l9C967y29a_ceVwRPvBo_qp/s320/IMG_8724.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz-Nczpv0H1P5wpn3HogxO5MHI5g5rCSPMTXt_tKBDSUMXxce-zO4rYVjaFQvmMsW34Dq1sYDun8AAmLA_rSJMtvpRPSdUcC0v_e08l92Jc9Vr7sp3KxmMmYHNzBJ-mNjm8Rx_Drxc-xlfI3VlPM_egoqRwUdZkJsu2Jb_JFOF1_hyphenhyphen5rjii0F37Bm6T0c/s4032/IMG_8728.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJz-Nczpv0H1P5wpn3HogxO5MHI5g5rCSPMTXt_tKBDSUMXxce-zO4rYVjaFQvmMsW34Dq1sYDun8AAmLA_rSJMtvpRPSdUcC0v_e08l92Jc9Vr7sp3KxmMmYHNzBJ-mNjm8Rx_Drxc-xlfI3VlPM_egoqRwUdZkJsu2Jb_JFOF1_hyphenhyphen5rjii0F37Bm6T0c/s320/IMG_8728.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmpnQIqSCuxYzwu0i7JGF5e86dGCcnyc_Eic6t0tMCyzyrhLQqeoFtv8mExoQKjGGvxG7SKr9AxG7Iq41Bq5LW5m8RyyEX2DqcqiFmSKX5tHxfdF77CXdSmDBKPYaQEYcohpfQJeBNXok4SR0odDpNskHJf9f6DqvmJi5aDOTgVeBZTzne3TSfqeFyC9n/s4032/IMG_8721.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmpnQIqSCuxYzwu0i7JGF5e86dGCcnyc_Eic6t0tMCyzyrhLQqeoFtv8mExoQKjGGvxG7SKr9AxG7Iq41Bq5LW5m8RyyEX2DqcqiFmSKX5tHxfdF77CXdSmDBKPYaQEYcohpfQJeBNXok4SR0odDpNskHJf9f6DqvmJi5aDOTgVeBZTzne3TSfqeFyC9n/w400-h300/IMG_8721.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUfOvvlZOVe3BbjVScFNUXMDtHYUbjr3j-THj3_KOUWM1Hf9q1ov7wt-U4TeyTtMNpwwW8hhgbeLorBvopWSeA4XMtF7JX1oOizUJFYN_sZPMtgSBNC15JMYfjppoESpWHBT85XcYNoYQFSEwvzMhFDg5OhyiUITJ5eMhyphenhyphenBs01eNN1y7npibj0wnZT2bu/s4032/IMG_8722.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUfOvvlZOVe3BbjVScFNUXMDtHYUbjr3j-THj3_KOUWM1Hf9q1ov7wt-U4TeyTtMNpwwW8hhgbeLorBvopWSeA4XMtF7JX1oOizUJFYN_sZPMtgSBNC15JMYfjppoESpWHBT85XcYNoYQFSEwvzMhFDg5OhyiUITJ5eMhyphenhyphenBs01eNN1y7npibj0wnZT2bu/s320/IMG_8722.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Unfortunately the grounds were too soaked for walking other than along the well maintained paths of the arboretum, so it's one of those places I'd love to return to in better weather.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVQ7JKys6ibZZ4UOHE0Xg6pfv_nf1sC7ejO_msO7J6GPXP9YipxaUn2cPCqtlPsYgKQEFBR_2aoHYqWWCs9hdCH1rU3z1RiTUcdxpdVYc97pM3Ubd5M9-RWvPEn8AoUttG3lx5mwZomuhXXvbb-4kPEB27POaAm2P0VhgdphOOiX2HdLm0MzLQX4PZoms/s4032/IMG_8730.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVQ7JKys6ibZZ4UOHE0Xg6pfv_nf1sC7ejO_msO7J6GPXP9YipxaUn2cPCqtlPsYgKQEFBR_2aoHYqWWCs9hdCH1rU3z1RiTUcdxpdVYc97pM3Ubd5M9-RWvPEn8AoUttG3lx5mwZomuhXXvbb-4kPEB27POaAm2P0VhgdphOOiX2HdLm0MzLQX4PZoms/s320/IMG_8730.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH_OShFilvPS5yYEIwp24OhHR5u1V4lJQVkTmEp6dah1AUGVvRNn3MtAqNyyB42jjVRszQ6B8ESgYvYdoOEHSbsWkNF4MYQ6A4K8nMqLnyzSAAA0EQeyfl9YZ1Uc18rX87tc4M6O9Pm32oJN4Qa_TwdS2mdJYMuZhsz0yolgHpcOatDKhRi6g8inBeFmn/s4032/IMG_8732.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH_OShFilvPS5yYEIwp24OhHR5u1V4lJQVkTmEp6dah1AUGVvRNn3MtAqNyyB42jjVRszQ6B8ESgYvYdoOEHSbsWkNF4MYQ6A4K8nMqLnyzSAAA0EQeyfl9YZ1Uc18rX87tc4M6O9Pm32oJN4Qa_TwdS2mdJYMuZhsz0yolgHpcOatDKhRi6g8inBeFmn/w400-h300/IMG_8732.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For this time, though, distant views of snow-topped hills had to suffice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ea9UUy6qOQOgCJCkshaTKAb8f-6KWruwoREkBkUz6fGxAMkqk6_sKDLM247GwWZ-p89SFux1mKjNwpYyXxwfmfxCMXxQU1PY4jbfB2cucql91D9DiZqOwLrxyyVovOi_DsRytxeA9dPlGxXfcuq8rJo_DB5xLW1GyxZcyn3e1KXv3QDJJjW6HSRByif/s4032/IMG_8739.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ea9UUy6qOQOgCJCkshaTKAb8f-6KWruwoREkBkUz6fGxAMkqk6_sKDLM247GwWZ-p89SFux1mKjNwpYyXxwfmfxCMXxQU1PY4jbfB2cucql91D9DiZqOwLrxyyVovOi_DsRytxeA9dPlGxXfcuq8rJo_DB5xLW1GyxZcyn3e1KXv3QDJJjW6HSRByif/w400-h300/IMG_8739.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-2053112434181661082024-03-14T11:52:00.001+00:002024-03-14T11:52:16.119+00:00A Wet Weekend in the Lake District <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GzB7LX1QD-f03lzF7qre14C-X-Jtz-5gSNAFL-HTRTMPbbKed62DtqHcX3zsVV1CfQGJNDTTt18FQd_oFriHSV1vUzFMfrh9EXMj3qDh_YRdVdARuv17I0ESl3fcIgHq4Tu4lkZ6-4PdvDIBkiQ2MvNz2XF3_MaigQtpK6PjYqpTbdmOeoxDmUvQdgUs/s4032/IMG_8693.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GzB7LX1QD-f03lzF7qre14C-X-Jtz-5gSNAFL-HTRTMPbbKed62DtqHcX3zsVV1CfQGJNDTTt18FQd_oFriHSV1vUzFMfrh9EXMj3qDh_YRdVdARuv17I0ESl3fcIgHq4Tu4lkZ6-4PdvDIBkiQ2MvNz2XF3_MaigQtpK6PjYqpTbdmOeoxDmUvQdgUs/s320/IMG_8693.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There's always a certain riskiness about the weather when you decide to book a UK break in winter (or maybe tbh any time of year) and we unfortunately picked a wet weekend to head to the Lake District.<div>We still had a good time, pottering about between the deluges, dodging into cafes as the rain came again, playing board games back at the AirBnB when it didn't stop. There was snow on the mountain tops, and on Sunday the sun came out <br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bPqvoeXlU3WrqmPHDKvEn8IQZejx0fgYpkjJkwzi9sHwRYL3OAcw5NywknB3A1PkbOCG8H52IwIUwOXIzxKVWgolzSljyH4PHXR2NGwWSE7bBZZGHIXjR7mt61GiR6X03bAAYRa7R2kBKHGd9nvI3jMSi9BwIV33Wwcy1ZlK6q7b7qU5eFTZ922yxcB2/s4032/IMG_8696.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bPqvoeXlU3WrqmPHDKvEn8IQZejx0fgYpkjJkwzi9sHwRYL3OAcw5NywknB3A1PkbOCG8H52IwIUwOXIzxKVWgolzSljyH4PHXR2NGwWSE7bBZZGHIXjR7mt61GiR6X03bAAYRa7R2kBKHGd9nvI3jMSi9BwIV33Wwcy1ZlK6q7b7qU5eFTZ922yxcB2/w150-h200/IMG_8696.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>The first day, the wettest and coldest, we didn't do much; a short walk round Ambleside, looking at the (many, many) outdoorsy shops, and a lovely lunch at Dodd's restaurant. I'd hoped to visit Grasmere in the afternoon, but torrential rain put me off the idea. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrORfPDt6fUVj-wYs13ay8-1QCM7MDTOOdhs0dYbtma9Efb875YmPz_xViIwJzE248rRgetk6X7oLWk7RVO-hP3MGcm3ifmp_KN2w7twm7DbVkR9WLIk7waGz34Ddxjii70Bp8P4ZDXn2xJlJ3tdUZJrGzChZ_2Z92BRr2dDs9TlLxzyr0zl8CiOmrI8m/s4032/IMG_8706.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrORfPDt6fUVj-wYs13ay8-1QCM7MDTOOdhs0dYbtma9Efb875YmPz_xViIwJzE248rRgetk6X7oLWk7RVO-hP3MGcm3ifmp_KN2w7twm7DbVkR9WLIk7waGz34Ddxjii70Bp8P4ZDXn2xJlJ3tdUZJrGzChZ_2Z92BRr2dDs9TlLxzyr0zl8CiOmrI8m/w400-h300/IMG_8706.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The next morning was cold and overcast with snow on the hills and rain threatening again, so we headed to Windermere Jetty Museum - not for the museum itself but for its cafe with huge picture windows and a magnificent view of the lake and boats by. It's definitely worth a stop here; good food, wonderful views and, that most remarkable of things in the Lake District, free parking. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW_Zq0z13rVZrIZ66bdMF-mdWQDMKmw1YJaJQnordymQIbjxW5sx_PK-YOCRurkd2STzxfSiDHiEQ-oY-VEdTdpBEyh5nZFtc5LDxm4x8MBDK4KKvQj0NlkOh6De9f0BsKekgnuWWO6LwnKNpEKOOxE0ScK9UVhms-cUcg4IEOiAzPIlmUZCol1zysQwE/s4032/IMG_8713.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW_Zq0z13rVZrIZ66bdMF-mdWQDMKmw1YJaJQnordymQIbjxW5sx_PK-YOCRurkd2STzxfSiDHiEQ-oY-VEdTdpBEyh5nZFtc5LDxm4x8MBDK4KKvQj0NlkOh6De9f0BsKekgnuWWO6LwnKNpEKOOxE0ScK9UVhms-cUcg4IEOiAzPIlmUZCol1zysQwE/s320/IMG_8713.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcwB32QnQM4hXM9Tc7W4xq2-_0_EJc-cJoi0FSdchqmY6cuW1mSwQLbmNHAbmEvbiMpiV0jG1Clnw5rhvKa3mU8VrXhEBS5CXbqFcoKr973osZZgrmQS37Aq5vlODVdfAOlAuIcQOFsRBl3QbC-mXMkkuCaWJ22lOfFfKA5e_LA3KqyksWgbXNGJ-JJKi/s4032/IMG_8705.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcwB32QnQM4hXM9Tc7W4xq2-_0_EJc-cJoi0FSdchqmY6cuW1mSwQLbmNHAbmEvbiMpiV0jG1Clnw5rhvKa3mU8VrXhEBS5CXbqFcoKr973osZZgrmQS37Aq5vlODVdfAOlAuIcQOFsRBl3QbC-mXMkkuCaWJ22lOfFfKA5e_LA3KqyksWgbXNGJ-JJKi/w200-h150/IMG_8705.JPEG" width="200" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjJVoOF3Rd-w1X8jgOpozlEj7zzpbsgvWFz09egqOLM7GMk_keInOFjDNjLAU5MlOHAWTIIdI5yjo_5Kbo2G6Bh3F0rhzdp9532hIF7DqvpqZn_NkhyhMaGuKQJ3pkuoVuXA4ZFAexHNubeBU5K4Qx3iEzEWKorY0w__K68W2mvGndz_-i0JYK0hVK-KD/s4032/IMG_8707.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjJVoOF3Rd-w1X8jgOpozlEj7zzpbsgvWFz09egqOLM7GMk_keInOFjDNjLAU5MlOHAWTIIdI5yjo_5Kbo2G6Bh3F0rhzdp9532hIF7DqvpqZn_NkhyhMaGuKQJ3pkuoVuXA4ZFAexHNubeBU5K4Qx3iEzEWKorY0w__K68W2mvGndz_-i0JYK0hVK-KD/s320/IMG_8707.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtpZvhSF3vB8yXOD5P53U9KST2x80cl_muD-4vtEusaNEz7g_SeWub2CjwodKzXFQT36YNYok9H8lbI_bR7PoYJzbzWzCVV45FY0ruTz_VTE2LAxnjxkKE8SU3LVBdqswzaL0KRh28Vvr7UbZe2Q4uyQWxFZy3ejsyLyrrK32VstyYc5Y9Itl5ifnBac2/s4032/IMG_8711.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtpZvhSF3vB8yXOD5P53U9KST2x80cl_muD-4vtEusaNEz7g_SeWub2CjwodKzXFQT36YNYok9H8lbI_bR7PoYJzbzWzCVV45FY0ruTz_VTE2LAxnjxkKE8SU3LVBdqswzaL0KRh28Vvr7UbZe2Q4uyQWxFZy3ejsyLyrrK32VstyYc5Y9Itl5ifnBac2/s320/IMG_8711.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>After an early lunch the weather stayed dry for a little while as we wandered round the grounds and admired the views - there's smaller scale lake where model boats are sailed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLDUYviFIcujHj_OLG2mwtbIl-HSYKkO05T2ddO__6idv3YKlWoBjVVEDDtWlcVSOHEe_tVlAr1okDUnOgiJUIjTiS82tMAid5FdcOthVO3qUynYVR9XflZ-GQMhhhgknDMMApzz9ZUxDzgyc0iQjNQwB0DeBQufX06mo9-svlVufeNP608K_BBy-iwyc/s4032/IMG_8712.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLDUYviFIcujHj_OLG2mwtbIl-HSYKkO05T2ddO__6idv3YKlWoBjVVEDDtWlcVSOHEe_tVlAr1okDUnOgiJUIjTiS82tMAid5FdcOthVO3qUynYVR9XflZ-GQMhhhgknDMMApzz9ZUxDzgyc0iQjNQwB0DeBQufX06mo9-svlVufeNP608K_BBy-iwyc/s320/IMG_8712.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yZq-oWD5xDthO7TOBL_Tsr7caq7i33_E0SB6nfgPatEqz-2QVf4_E0ouOD_5M156pqqdNRezsl6cWRQYxjZ2NksgEFNQIcTQNTQogNOtpKXbQsBstXOUUzmB_PlvzF_vC_hW181YE1OE4kz-2_X6Egs0KjUp5QclqiZ800lF1LG3iL-QEKqPZ_cplb4i/s4032/IMG_8718.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yZq-oWD5xDthO7TOBL_Tsr7caq7i33_E0SB6nfgPatEqz-2QVf4_E0ouOD_5M156pqqdNRezsl6cWRQYxjZ2NksgEFNQIcTQNTQogNOtpKXbQsBstXOUUzmB_PlvzF_vC_hW181YE1OE4kz-2_X6Egs0KjUp5QclqiZ800lF1LG3iL-QEKqPZ_cplb4i/s320/IMG_8718.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Onwards then, back through Ambleside and round the northern end of Lake Windermere, to Wray Castle, a fascinating National Trust property built in the mid-1800s as a second home!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN5hwNimefiV3c432gSL6WXNAlUx4GrSafz5co6KMxeVsEDBlHu5cPh3R3oKlYCcKQ2F-9EYTRxmsSlCvBQcSNEMhNdOnQNk4Oh8U4uzgIWNe-lXUJ-_PmTXyJAfxnhfbOpekRj5Rby3ugTT72doEZKBrLdz_RkC7zDTjvX_0VnXmaxe_yTmirA_qJKqM/s4032/IMG_8719.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN5hwNimefiV3c432gSL6WXNAlUx4GrSafz5co6KMxeVsEDBlHu5cPh3R3oKlYCcKQ2F-9EYTRxmsSlCvBQcSNEMhNdOnQNk4Oh8U4uzgIWNe-lXUJ-_PmTXyJAfxnhfbOpekRj5Rby3ugTT72doEZKBrLdz_RkC7zDTjvX_0VnXmaxe_yTmirA_qJKqM/w200-h150/IMG_8719.JPEG" width="200" /></a></div>Of course, our visit involved a brief stop at the cafe - a rather unusual one by NT standards.</div><div>The rain held off for a short walk round the grounds and I took lots of pictures which I'll post separately. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34mq3dk4THQW0IDu27Hy-Lg5t_-E_woibo9XEqwGwpZjmTyIHEUpshZLE31hhpVK95eoPl7tqbxuzyM3C6L0IsdIg6C52vLg0_njFLexT5VWV6qt_rRQa31Dj1E2lJUP4uWbIsMaFNaklZqxXvxPVr-yfJW5VOgWMK_giC3xhz0omVAIQhcoV9UIzUf5O/s4032/IMG_8753.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34mq3dk4THQW0IDu27Hy-Lg5t_-E_woibo9XEqwGwpZjmTyIHEUpshZLE31hhpVK95eoPl7tqbxuzyM3C6L0IsdIg6C52vLg0_njFLexT5VWV6qt_rRQa31Dj1E2lJUP4uWbIsMaFNaklZqxXvxPVr-yfJW5VOgWMK_giC3xhz0omVAIQhcoV9UIzUf5O/w400-h300/IMG_8753.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvTwzWMF7AO0ZOVMknhElhmIXh8hrNdw0cMspiWpJc2gxLZ0-T02LrAWfa3VNYunoM-TrGD3eyHiGiLbLYOoyov3D4euzI1QTUwtrxTcSPJV3rymWk5_yk4ShdapaTGFjIYIYtu0IOnGymNccRrLl6QfjUq6YeJCHtLZT0VBr9UZAV3wk-JldsZ-M4x5T/s4028/IMG_8752.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4028" data-original-width="2420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvTwzWMF7AO0ZOVMknhElhmIXh8hrNdw0cMspiWpJc2gxLZ0-T02LrAWfa3VNYunoM-TrGD3eyHiGiLbLYOoyov3D4euzI1QTUwtrxTcSPJV3rymWk5_yk4ShdapaTGFjIYIYtu0IOnGymNccRrLl6QfjUq6YeJCHtLZT0VBr9UZAV3wk-JldsZ-M4x5T/s320/IMG_8752.JPEG" width="192" /></a></div>Eventually, on Sunday as we headed home, the sun came out. Fortunately we had time to visit a couple of places before heading back down the motorway. First, Fell Foot park at the southern tip of Lake Windermere - for a short walk and brunch in a converted boathouse - then Sizergh Castle - to visit the gardens and take a longer walk round the surrounding estate, interrupted by lunch. More pictures of these to follow. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlspk3ze2kUtEDVYOPqyS2xKZpwMPltWPKp2ahzoPK3htRQCShIsV3O6YvFmQaBnE6sJ4wtVdfR-zBROnuZ1w6dtrl_GKqjSB3VIpR8__5sZJa282AmJhZxyUB_Lq_2IEmb1hf2lyHGZ6KeHF7Wy17rmW5Y4h5KfhrMEQjk_GWUQR1mjQnFItMNp6SZlv/s4032/IMG_8770.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlspk3ze2kUtEDVYOPqyS2xKZpwMPltWPKp2ahzoPK3htRQCShIsV3O6YvFmQaBnE6sJ4wtVdfR-zBROnuZ1w6dtrl_GKqjSB3VIpR8__5sZJa282AmJhZxyUB_Lq_2IEmb1hf2lyHGZ6KeHF7Wy17rmW5Y4h5KfhrMEQjk_GWUQR1mjQnFItMNp6SZlv/w200-h150/IMG_8770.JPEG" width="200" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4KFylhJ1TU79WLkPibSLJGSXRKjiPpRzqfIYbQKJN4E8H_HM3g6FcV-RMRmJ0HKUDK2S4Z0Y09Ow5RKfeJKxIE6qnTayCDKwhsyA6M7le6v-bICtOpeNQwn2Hb7qVUQ60lJGQwld3KRx4ta1uSch5BRRLvIxqb-UMeYN-HLUbYduZF0cWdGOOlNh8spQ/s4032/IMG_8769.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4KFylhJ1TU79WLkPibSLJGSXRKjiPpRzqfIYbQKJN4E8H_HM3g6FcV-RMRmJ0HKUDK2S4Z0Y09Ow5RKfeJKxIE6qnTayCDKwhsyA6M7le6v-bICtOpeNQwn2Hb7qVUQ60lJGQwld3KRx4ta1uSch5BRRLvIxqb-UMeYN-HLUbYduZF0cWdGOOlNh8spQ/s320/IMG_8769.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Despite the rain we had a really enjoyable time, which goes to prove that weather isn't everything. </div><br /> <p></p></div></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-16146537200839236442024-03-10T11:32:00.002+00:002024-03-10T11:32:43.777+00:00February<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ldshyphenhyphens8HyO6TEcITMcd2epfcNefPVAYd1wnPUiFMM-Zliz5BJwx0mjoNi2onP34wxDbaIWHiYv7lrRLnMwNDcbDElezGgVSBI77lkYPaZztaHG3SCiAzUOuu-Cq56y1lYauR2PqA4bYOPONDqUExWkhWECl-7VMQPE5CtOjY4d7AlUH0FAsUTuEa71xQ/s4032/IMG_8477.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ldshyphenhyphens8HyO6TEcITMcd2epfcNefPVAYd1wnPUiFMM-Zliz5BJwx0mjoNi2onP34wxDbaIWHiYv7lrRLnMwNDcbDElezGgVSBI77lkYPaZztaHG3SCiAzUOuu-Cq56y1lYauR2PqA4bYOPONDqUExWkhWECl-7VMQPE5CtOjY4d7AlUH0FAsUTuEa71xQ/w150-h200/IMG_8477.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div> After the quietness of January, February comes and goes in a rush. It's helped no doubt by being shorter than other months, but it seems like a time when lots of things are happening. Snowdrops and early crocus are bursting into flower. Daffodils aren't far behind. Days are getting noticeably longer and a little sun has me dreaming of summer.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lQUTZrJK6HKoH5JkGJPoXSrnAI0mht0HK4J820rmfa7LJXE7MmvJ6EknLi-j07Otu5nJoz9o2kddYpKjFtHsNdNtjc71ZxAehwLVZzlsTl0LZRkN9q_i-FPIx0AbL3la3uvDJHa8J3oGXr324BsVEPvPBO0d6rqa1pDinD1h8kYVb_qJcEMze3PGA80h/s4032/IMG_8565.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lQUTZrJK6HKoH5JkGJPoXSrnAI0mht0HK4J820rmfa7LJXE7MmvJ6EknLi-j07Otu5nJoz9o2kddYpKjFtHsNdNtjc71ZxAehwLVZzlsTl0LZRkN9q_i-FPIx0AbL3la3uvDJHa8J3oGXr324BsVEPvPBO0d6rqa1pDinD1h8kYVb_qJcEMze3PGA80h/w150-h200/IMG_8565.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>The first signs of Spring encourage me to get out and about, particularly to places where I hope to find snowdrops. This year I've only been to local places - <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2024/02/shipley-snowdrops.html" target="_blank">Shipley Country Park</a>, privately owned gardens at <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2024/02/thornbridge-hall.html" target="_blank">Thornbridge Hall </a>and <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2024/02/more-snowdrops-yes-please.html" target="_blank">Hopton Hall</a>, and National Trust properties at <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2024/02/snowdrops-and-more-at-calke-abbey.html" target="_blank">Calke</a> and <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-end-of-winter-snowdrops-at-kedleston.html" target="_blank">Kedleston</a> - but all were delightful after a damp winter.<div><br /></div><div>In between days out, there were family birthdays to celebrate, and a couple of baby-sitting dates. Compared to last month, February has been busy, busy, busy.<br /><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-s8nEizGaD0Hhf5yr_ynQzZd-qZhM5CjmfQ85BSzwuIudF-Gs81hbBraep29gkVg8PC7ZmWUWdMxIz-f44QnrNzoU0KpwDJzzfpW8vCDpChZ6AEinT7G0Ohnzi6mBj31l28ji-s3l0DGW2TYUxCvEmoWMn8wiujfO2-1S9sutbnsrO-QAtit0mftbHYj/s4032/IMG_8748.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-s8nEizGaD0Hhf5yr_ynQzZd-qZhM5CjmfQ85BSzwuIudF-Gs81hbBraep29gkVg8PC7ZmWUWdMxIz-f44QnrNzoU0KpwDJzzfpW8vCDpChZ6AEinT7G0Ohnzi6mBj31l28ji-s3l0DGW2TYUxCvEmoWMn8wiujfO2-1S9sutbnsrO-QAtit0mftbHYj/s320/IMG_8748.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The end of the month saw me off on my first short break of the year - a weekend trip to the Lake District. It was wetter than I'd have liked but wonderful to get away for a few days. Now it's time to really start thinking about this year's holidays ... <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-67454499870959812832024-02-28T19:40:00.002+00:002024-02-28T19:40:35.787+00:00Shipley Snowdrops <div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUEMvL1D_vVWdzvujJ-fTuaph8vlxaY0sfBO5kGZUdbcenHFYbAz_zIAoJhgGC6nnlMka6yJA5RzyAkG528-7IEq4fXd5jH4IbVU15w6Cs9M0RZ02Qn30LA7PydCoVRgKlvhg0Pb_mR9H_ZsB69RhUX3SXGI8s5NUJgc0lEJ3xfIs6oulLI5p0T48Af9D/s4032/IMG_8633.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUEMvL1D_vVWdzvujJ-fTuaph8vlxaY0sfBO5kGZUdbcenHFYbAz_zIAoJhgGC6nnlMka6yJA5RzyAkG528-7IEq4fXd5jH4IbVU15w6Cs9M0RZ02Qn30LA7PydCoVRgKlvhg0Pb_mR9H_ZsB69RhUX3SXGI8s5NUJgc0lEJ3xfIs6oulLI5p0T48Af9D/s320/IMG_8633.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH96bX3OoeF4cuaMd5b1A39opADbxHkOHxTUmDVXCjmcZ2lM37UPnA6G_AIhJ2-2ALUWU4suGZhPYB5rJcKzQn4Bwr7Y8q7jCwt_rtKp5kzHPjwZrqtzLaY3kvp7NGrScoz5vZ62I6UPN3nmrnUMEAvaRCrkXgqPJ2KQsf8lZcKE52L-7dK-TEhHEKm5K/s4032/IMG_8645.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH96bX3OoeF4cuaMd5b1A39opADbxHkOHxTUmDVXCjmcZ2lM37UPnA6G_AIhJ2-2ALUWU4suGZhPYB5rJcKzQn4Bwr7Y8q7jCwt_rtKp5kzHPjwZrqtzLaY3kvp7NGrScoz5vZ62I6UPN3nmrnUMEAvaRCrkXgqPJ2KQsf8lZcKE52L-7dK-TEhHEKm5K/w300-h400/IMG_8645.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My last snowdrop trip of the season was the nearest to home and one of my favourite spring walking spots - Shipley Country Park, near Ilkeston, Derbyshire.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh8gpg_UAoej4LuAbtdTjxDXMVOzQRasI9F4DML6MvOLvzZolVpPKupWaRS_uzD1raKoYQyXJ3JZUkb15r_apCaWk_QOFwd4_gWkmwOWpUab4AwjfC0Tz7eHtWN1EbyU44KxwZMqE7s1GYWjMsCsP8k7vAKrq3XIoaz-qmd7Ogu5pbq5wxr1Qot_aGOnV/s4032/IMG_8642.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh8gpg_UAoej4LuAbtdTjxDXMVOzQRasI9F4DML6MvOLvzZolVpPKupWaRS_uzD1raKoYQyXJ3JZUkb15r_apCaWk_QOFwd4_gWkmwOWpUab4AwjfC0Tz7eHtWN1EbyU44KxwZMqE7s1GYWjMsCsP8k7vAKrq3XIoaz-qmd7Ogu5pbq5wxr1Qot_aGOnV/s320/IMG_8642.JPEG" width="240" /></a>I'd been putting this visit off for a while as last time I visited,<a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/09/not-nice-walk-at-shipley-park.html" target="_blank"> in September</a>, the uphill walk from the carpark to the old hall's grounds had proved too much for my not-quite-recovered legs. This time, thankfully, all went well.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPPK4iCYHaOMJK1coQdKcLiiQI0vAmiCzA_EYnxieqwuffl08NuD3Raf8V0-m7tuTlPAiLJPoOc-pYj0f_4e4F_JNyTX1_GbVTw3o65a6jdjeTqpd4QXV5IelnwynO4Mnv2j7f2YD1A8WzNEJNuf_4dNadV-FeQnrKGwAdAwGF5Tqe13ZMlemWJJKqICx/s4032/IMG_8640.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPPK4iCYHaOMJK1coQdKcLiiQI0vAmiCzA_EYnxieqwuffl08NuD3Raf8V0-m7tuTlPAiLJPoOc-pYj0f_4e4F_JNyTX1_GbVTw3o65a6jdjeTqpd4QXV5IelnwynO4Mnv2j7f2YD1A8WzNEJNuf_4dNadV-FeQnrKGwAdAwGF5Tqe13ZMlemWJJKqICx/s320/IMG_8640.JPEG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeW5oXL09XZ9p7_1wIyEiepIfE4RD0gMuL_IekoiefRaRsmkbk9wdtnNcDyNrke6mJ_R32PWhLDbXcQQE9jxdquwI_r5XxJGy0LDCID9oacPn84CTUK5LtKsj6unbjqedc2nQeFXxAK8I5lP1uoAiJ03pRZ-ecjpHFVmHn5Czk2MNX6u4O29sNpvlB0nZ/s4032/IMG_8650.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeW5oXL09XZ9p7_1wIyEiepIfE4RD0gMuL_IekoiefRaRsmkbk9wdtnNcDyNrke6mJ_R32PWhLDbXcQQE9jxdquwI_r5XxJGy0LDCID9oacPn84CTUK5LtKsj6unbjqedc2nQeFXxAK8I5lP1uoAiJ03pRZ-ecjpHFVmHn5Czk2MNX6u4O29sNpvlB0nZ/s320/IMG_8650.JPEG" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I slowly headed up the hill, through the beeches on Horsepool Hill, where the first daffodils were flowering, and followed the ha-ha around the old hall grounds.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01WzkKs2XsIq9OBNiUEutYwvMaC-rp2dyhtsgHe9cQuJK5z8ttNMSa6RM7mHhLPxiTvOE8Zg_5pNR8FZ-2EsNB21iMV-P1brlnEZRkyCKSg6sw6nCCjJLLxa73O7I578eCpj6JAz9rGum2BedSfDkwnnOIHN0VNZSdyYi6Tp_syVH2hxqen1j6dRYZUEf/s4032/IMG_8637.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01WzkKs2XsIq9OBNiUEutYwvMaC-rp2dyhtsgHe9cQuJK5z8ttNMSa6RM7mHhLPxiTvOE8Zg_5pNR8FZ-2EsNB21iMV-P1brlnEZRkyCKSg6sw6nCCjJLLxa73O7I578eCpj6JAz9rGum2BedSfDkwnnOIHN0VNZSdyYi6Tp_syVH2hxqen1j6dRYZUEf/s320/IMG_8637.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPKwGIWwDxKIKShZnCdpeBFDFF_MG1oRJH-2VEjbXWky9UayaOJqy1U608efQaCZcHtS12O1-Hv9_EX1g9vaKZ_dv8ZXZMQOCSgslsaxNYnLGl_KAfNYvU68IAetpxFtyM3unCiQVhUsLpfA8A-5kgz1sQfqluqu2n_bYUW7kG8F5Qkw6wKOlG8lxhGqv/s4032/IMG_8634.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPKwGIWwDxKIKShZnCdpeBFDFF_MG1oRJH-2VEjbXWky9UayaOJqy1U608efQaCZcHtS12O1-Hv9_EX1g9vaKZ_dv8ZXZMQOCSgslsaxNYnLGl_KAfNYvU68IAetpxFtyM3unCiQVhUsLpfA8A-5kgz1sQfqluqu2n_bYUW7kG8F5Qkw6wKOlG8lxhGqv/s320/IMG_8634.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are snowdrops in clumps scattered throughout this area but the best in my opinion are along the old driveway, presumably planted to impress visitors. It's always tricky trying to guess the best time to catch snowdrops at their best, and I think this year I was a little late.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS7m4mJIsQdcGn_HambLSijeCc4rqk39ae9DxbIY87Lk62CDb_vYn84o2sR1S-fogdqrT280yhiJKLQTuv8lTfMCp0-ko3lLWiy_xqWbF8hpKX1PePHCpf_kiGikb-i0HjxTkXIyZMefANxumb3ipVvoDT0bjwp293VAVyPmbvfyvAgqyahtWejCWb2U6/s4032/IMG_8627.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiS7m4mJIsQdcGn_HambLSijeCc4rqk39ae9DxbIY87Lk62CDb_vYn84o2sR1S-fogdqrT280yhiJKLQTuv8lTfMCp0-ko3lLWiy_xqWbF8hpKX1PePHCpf_kiGikb-i0HjxTkXIyZMefANxumb3ipVvoDT0bjwp293VAVyPmbvfyvAgqyahtWejCWb2U6/s320/IMG_8627.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Having proved to myself that I can now manage this short walk quite easily I'll be back before long as the daffodils come into full flower.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NWg0629ogUH26NKCL35_srTJk1TG3expMVlxCkBlE0xWZsbpkvx2SxBbdw4pUCAVuNr5mag1smPUGyudoRDFKXE7NnWbfxMPTySWCqxuyFLjLLf38JX53CyRvm_YrjPxt4YNJ0A_gDhXPUReAKpfujIGMfUI1JU3Eb1kIfOP_8p69SvJn4j8ylB58V-r/s4032/IMG_8636.JPEG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NWg0629ogUH26NKCL35_srTJk1TG3expMVlxCkBlE0xWZsbpkvx2SxBbdw4pUCAVuNr5mag1smPUGyudoRDFKXE7NnWbfxMPTySWCqxuyFLjLLf38JX53CyRvm_YrjPxt4YNJ0A_gDhXPUReAKpfujIGMfUI1JU3Eb1kIfOP_8p69SvJn4j8ylB58V-r/s320/IMG_8636.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /> <p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-39965608903656365372024-02-24T11:42:00.001+00:002024-02-24T11:42:21.945+00:00Thornbridge Hall<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjORhwZJAasJRauTFel8pobHdVRY4lsLlEngR7G6kvZh3JwsWm7vJqAF5OOxZbSTbRONYqwqDzhD3BxBaACNAigXXgQ5aIJI_DxTlBMSFpqziSvCk1IdckItXY9JdAElOK9pnfHs_y-qqADdppnf-RXKmrUVDEHzMDKavGKFno8g_AhyphenhyphenpQaK-57z8qnDM/s4032/IMG_8622.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjORhwZJAasJRauTFel8pobHdVRY4lsLlEngR7G6kvZh3JwsWm7vJqAF5OOxZbSTbRONYqwqDzhD3BxBaACNAigXXgQ5aIJI_DxTlBMSFpqziSvCk1IdckItXY9JdAElOK9pnfHs_y-qqADdppnf-RXKmrUVDEHzMDKavGKFno8g_AhyphenhyphenpQaK-57z8qnDM/w400-h300/IMG_8622.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uDQiGKvpNyrlbgIxhJPtZZ-KtKN67gZIvo52g3oGqyOBLJ-hXPK9P6tj02O5ZtLojs-__IoEgsRlb5BLR-TLIOrknVbzWfGoyMewWaHErMvuuRr0vep3u8AXZDBFAYr-aJ6yoH67NHkRzi3GNjThtF7OMc2Ii25So0do9rRP2G1ta_IyiADhucnm4AFc/s4032/IMG_8609.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uDQiGKvpNyrlbgIxhJPtZZ-KtKN67gZIvo52g3oGqyOBLJ-hXPK9P6tj02O5ZtLojs-__IoEgsRlb5BLR-TLIOrknVbzWfGoyMewWaHErMvuuRr0vep3u8AXZDBFAYr-aJ6yoH67NHkRzi3GNjThtF7OMc2Ii25So0do9rRP2G1ta_IyiADhucnm4AFc/s320/IMG_8609.JPEG" width="240" /></a></p><p>Sometimes you can drive past a place for years but never stop, so I thought it was time to at last visit Thornbridge Hall, near Bakewell, Derbyshire. I'd been persuaded to visit at this perhaps less-than-delightful time of year by the promise of snowdrops (I'd seen Thornbridge feature in a Top Derbyshire Places to see Snowdrops guide) but apart from the occasional clump here and there I didn't see any. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5plZ5k4yD-oJ0M86zddLwLomEX0IuZBCk4zYrdPyOY2AAmJpViRJhqOcBSDhRpyWFOO8qrhm_SpJ2Pg0u4LQhACUDUcy226REE8OWD6oCrlw6HltBr8PGT2E0qQgYExzR4DrgIqv_01Ixz1YBIRgx7djwZ0ea5-_sQVkVeDrRt4acssBkNeD7K4Xr9X2/s4032/IMG_8606.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5plZ5k4yD-oJ0M86zddLwLomEX0IuZBCk4zYrdPyOY2AAmJpViRJhqOcBSDhRpyWFOO8qrhm_SpJ2Pg0u4LQhACUDUcy226REE8OWD6oCrlw6HltBr8PGT2E0qQgYExzR4DrgIqv_01Ixz1YBIRgx7djwZ0ea5-_sQVkVeDrRt4acssBkNeD7K4Xr9X2/s320/IMG_8606.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /></p><p>The delight of Thornbridge lies though in its water garden and formal Italian garden.</p><p>In the first, streams tumble down the hillside, with mini-cascades and still pools breaking their journey. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZLwA_RDznkyIThPcWuN-kGWokiDfv7s0ZVWa70ibAFFzSn3YfXNZIItoE3ET3DN_S-TJ4PoyTVR3qrUi-Sh2-h4qU396TN5EEUOJo_P-3Tej8qWc5M7e2_pOd4ODlHl04VYd7u3GRZn48pQUD7mhtUUs5dXzTR5etASGmRgOppmGUIP0JJ360rvDcWxI/s4032/IMG_8607.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZLwA_RDznkyIThPcWuN-kGWokiDfv7s0ZVWa70ibAFFzSn3YfXNZIItoE3ET3DN_S-TJ4PoyTVR3qrUi-Sh2-h4qU396TN5EEUOJo_P-3Tej8qWc5M7e2_pOd4ODlHl04VYd7u3GRZn48pQUD7mhtUUs5dXzTR5etASGmRgOppmGUIP0JJ360rvDcWxI/s320/IMG_8607.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Grottoes provide a place to sit and relax - though possibly more appealing in warmer months.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE9DGh9Z42AhWjffNlh-LwgC7hWy-yI7651tZA2ZQ32mY5JNiEN221hncpo0HghZ3uwhxeDI5oz7droVItjW-a5b39jF6Z0WcmArwtCsHussygWpkfKQmN-gyX8S6BKBEgXCreT21wrFPmFWgiyJ169DYXDmNVr7dG0VDmjpIYFp_ODeC_aKCX-C0nDAz/s4032/IMG_8610.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE9DGh9Z42AhWjffNlh-LwgC7hWy-yI7651tZA2ZQ32mY5JNiEN221hncpo0HghZ3uwhxeDI5oz7droVItjW-a5b39jF6Z0WcmArwtCsHussygWpkfKQmN-gyX8S6BKBEgXCreT21wrFPmFWgiyJ169DYXDmNVr7dG0VDmjpIYFp_ODeC_aKCX-C0nDAz/s320/IMG_8610.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Lj4SywM-21VVwSUNoxC99qGblZFLC4LEXtZ5oVNJ-8Y1EJNMWEyG_WHpm9CTT2gkVuEg7Kit8dTABdPMjJ_k35_PLIRQ7qDVkaq24Z-0HZXjV7Puhyphenhyphen5APHz8oeaHLb1A7iHoEWpm2phw_ILC7YaLGi4JxQYenguiMZokEstdeCFa-KNMD1Y9hTBS8sLc/s4032/IMG_8611.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Lj4SywM-21VVwSUNoxC99qGblZFLC4LEXtZ5oVNJ-8Y1EJNMWEyG_WHpm9CTT2gkVuEg7Kit8dTABdPMjJ_k35_PLIRQ7qDVkaq24Z-0HZXjV7Puhyphenhyphen5APHz8oeaHLb1A7iHoEWpm2phw_ILC7YaLGi4JxQYenguiMZokEstdeCFa-KNMD1Y9hTBS8sLc/w300-h400/IMG_8611.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFDflkWL-jCSA4hn5Y8UCZoVDJ43HvMZORp-xWr9eJo7UwBtjPoZAgvimtbs8WK12azQ4MF4SdRxUjQrMV6yNO0bLz-NGl87E7H8W2xersgZBZZovilfNE5m3Te2uzXEqdB85bF7Tc4AmROoxfG8XOwuzr3AYVmnk1_IkQVezkpLDtChp_xKSU0HAgBMj/s4032/IMG_8617.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFDflkWL-jCSA4hn5Y8UCZoVDJ43HvMZORp-xWr9eJo7UwBtjPoZAgvimtbs8WK12azQ4MF4SdRxUjQrMV6yNO0bLz-NGl87E7H8W2xersgZBZZovilfNE5m3Te2uzXEqdB85bF7Tc4AmROoxfG8XOwuzr3AYVmnk1_IkQVezkpLDtChp_xKSU0HAgBMj/s320/IMG_8617.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lawns in the front of the hall take advantage of the terrain, looking out over fields to the surrounding countryside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzB0tCfbTwmaJFJl5RRbbMpajum9fvryZhHE4CGw5yy0D0GNkzxVadSBMmLk9p6wtybXtyt1eBr2VJwXRdlow_mAU11OOgTdMT0d6Dslgoow7kakPH1QtoRXX6xgEbFT9AD_WQafrbwmkve4ur9gi4aHn8-j5i46G83GleqOMd0QeLlzNAsn2jcayi45s/s4032/IMG_8613.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzB0tCfbTwmaJFJl5RRbbMpajum9fvryZhHE4CGw5yy0D0GNkzxVadSBMmLk9p6wtybXtyt1eBr2VJwXRdlow_mAU11OOgTdMT0d6Dslgoow7kakPH1QtoRXX6xgEbFT9AD_WQafrbwmkve4ur9gi4aHn8-j5i46G83GleqOMd0QeLlzNAsn2jcayi45s/s320/IMG_8613.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR1bnTRuNZNkjfqqpY1LydMM49JIkGT52qKV1ANynxPdSaJSMDLyxm6BPXsC-VFGF7CPrfeP6rvf6ZSqY6rd0alOsZiEaiF7Gad3DJN_0mPOxTyRnSlRRFMGmSa2IcyDsRkZEQjjJjneetZF1iMMoI22UX9FOUzZzGHwpFaPSsOwmX0qeoav9KzVFqWIG/s4032/IMG_8620.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR1bnTRuNZNkjfqqpY1LydMM49JIkGT52qKV1ANynxPdSaJSMDLyxm6BPXsC-VFGF7CPrfeP6rvf6ZSqY6rd0alOsZiEaiF7Gad3DJN_0mPOxTyRnSlRRFMGmSa2IcyDsRkZEQjjJjneetZF1iMMoI22UX9FOUzZzGHwpFaPSsOwmX0qeoav9KzVFqWIG/s320/IMG_8620.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Returning towards the exit, we ambled through the Italian garden; formal with trimmed box-hedging, but quiet and relaxing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknYOnM-WxflEpHXecAkFLEfmpB4-bwXjf-E7olsaW3GlL_k-Pm_7aZg1l2o2DE7aejy5Y_vubOrCrNJydD_QIg3z_CGhLQ01qd2FE675Q2YcuSu0NsP2-3AAY-hMeoSjH_ry-2TPP5UpODlvBAPQZx5SGQh0F2BQJfD76_RYVgbnQX1ssXgrZFPMwEhm4/s4032/IMG_8621.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknYOnM-WxflEpHXecAkFLEfmpB4-bwXjf-E7olsaW3GlL_k-Pm_7aZg1l2o2DE7aejy5Y_vubOrCrNJydD_QIg3z_CGhLQ01qd2FE675Q2YcuSu0NsP2-3AAY-hMeoSjH_ry-2TPP5UpODlvBAPQZx5SGQh0F2BQJfD76_RYVgbnQX1ssXgrZFPMwEhm4/s320/IMG_8621.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lNk8MKsrgVKmbukKqV2kuIluCVT4uxB7XtVDFBh7-aHIojXbyPF1BoJPePMmGvAPig2G82brGR_aOqcWE1XITqiQncXXe1JONLBWpwNpkqkXLwVqfVK1LcFTOhV0hh4GpUGeGkFWioeVUp4o5ik-4Vs8jtiRcHKWKDvyJl3q3ba_tZN72UAuwLrizYPd/s4032/IMG_8624.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lNk8MKsrgVKmbukKqV2kuIluCVT4uxB7XtVDFBh7-aHIojXbyPF1BoJPePMmGvAPig2G82brGR_aOqcWE1XITqiQncXXe1JONLBWpwNpkqkXLwVqfVK1LcFTOhV0hh4GpUGeGkFWioeVUp4o5ik-4Vs8jtiRcHKWKDvyJl3q3ba_tZN72UAuwLrizYPd/s320/IMG_8624.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Last stop - the cafe for tea and cake (as always)<p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-16915617909503831502024-02-21T11:50:00.003+00:002024-02-21T12:11:32.126+00:00More snowdrops? Yes, please <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PakOo9tWxwKuDJ6hUJDDLkIqgV5wCTxfuK-k8AZm81Z-blG9Rb01A46oIIznYNlH82GIQWmASaaiAP3HJuTxafcnXl3lygSfSliZgqc_gn96bHHG-uMcFukLI7Q0tlJJDrfdovFwAtTHFpAUuB8Rzoeam8cCYN9eXsl2-aIErxyDbEdcn1iJSUtRNT4H/s4032/IMG_8571.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PakOo9tWxwKuDJ6hUJDDLkIqgV5wCTxfuK-k8AZm81Z-blG9Rb01A46oIIznYNlH82GIQWmASaaiAP3HJuTxafcnXl3lygSfSliZgqc_gn96bHHG-uMcFukLI7Q0tlJJDrfdovFwAtTHFpAUuB8Rzoeam8cCYN9eXsl2-aIErxyDbEdcn1iJSUtRNT4H/s320/IMG_8571.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>I don't think it's possible to have too many snowdrops, so on a rare sunny day I headed out in search of more. <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.hoptonhall.co.uk/gardens" target="_blank">Hopton Hall</a>, near Carsington Water in Derbyshire, is a private estate open to the general public for just two periods of the year - in February for the snowdrop display, and in July when the rose garden is at its best. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsC8l4s6lV7tcucJXj-rU-FJN0mLaLfhWQ4bv4TfNHOvkoMJLpn5bRL7Vc7V8R5_mimCo6HqGx4A4zS1W_KBarEXwNBYFjbqDufuWtX_kh17pgmbYZJicEtaC_ycuWh1gw0wg0rAcTebMnzGYIvQ0iRUA3sR8fRAasowtdeLc1hhn83CX4uUw4yOSee-h/s4032/IMG_8572.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsC8l4s6lV7tcucJXj-rU-FJN0mLaLfhWQ4bv4TfNHOvkoMJLpn5bRL7Vc7V8R5_mimCo6HqGx4A4zS1W_KBarEXwNBYFjbqDufuWtX_kh17pgmbYZJicEtaC_ycuWh1gw0wg0rAcTebMnzGYIvQ0iRUA3sR8fRAasowtdeLc1hhn83CX4uUw4yOSee-h/s320/IMG_8572.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To one side of the entrance drive lies a woodland and in early spring it's carpeted in white flowers with the occasional splash of yellow from aconites.</div><div><br /></div><div>The path winds back and forth between trees to give a view of this amazing sight from almost every angle, but really I want to just stand, whirl round, and say Wow!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekwgYcbt-hEjHtRKG5z_mq6EzZLn5woru3iA2J5GJwM5v2R6ZWKlReUp8BS6FxKccdPss5HI1RWZLT9LeFE1B00Vt_OCl09XasMfdmrC7oY_XD73JDkGQSwukvBv8UTepHua3bclQ0XQOazRhtIMzJ05Za4D3-YHjtOksDOqc0XzFdi7sTX_NmeL9chqh/s4032/IMG_8573.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekwgYcbt-hEjHtRKG5z_mq6EzZLn5woru3iA2J5GJwM5v2R6ZWKlReUp8BS6FxKccdPss5HI1RWZLT9LeFE1B00Vt_OCl09XasMfdmrC7oY_XD73JDkGQSwukvBv8UTepHua3bclQ0XQOazRhtIMzJ05Za4D3-YHjtOksDOqc0XzFdi7sTX_NmeL9chqh/w400-h300/IMG_8573.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLy_4l7c9xTTE1L9PnumRi_NH7BgxZzUV6QiLsPS0h_CnUdBDcRY5QTUC2y-FQWjKuQmq9EEChwnLZNAusSfHeT2I6_ED-3rPaeQ1iWP4yHNEK8vjK-2uSPsULociJHNRmteMRaBfJ1idz8c21e_beFH1v7QqOzfsUY-w5_bZgt_RetMC9bqlT_ADqsKj/s4032/IMG_8578.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLy_4l7c9xTTE1L9PnumRi_NH7BgxZzUV6QiLsPS0h_CnUdBDcRY5QTUC2y-FQWjKuQmq9EEChwnLZNAusSfHeT2I6_ED-3rPaeQ1iWP4yHNEK8vjK-2uSPsULociJHNRmteMRaBfJ1idz8c21e_beFH1v7QqOzfsUY-w5_bZgt_RetMC9bqlT_ADqsKj/s320/IMG_8578.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's just totally enchanting to see snowdrops spreading like this. I assume they cannot all have been planted individually but, like the smaller display in my own garden, have colonised an ever-increasing area over the years, by seed dispersed by the wind or with help from birds. The result is stunning.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwknxdnkfwqsqPSf6JmByMH8ZredTaGEhzyGWOWd4roKsIc7JvW8veJeeLgO-3LzU0kx2WjO1S0VOneC_WPwWZF25_irSVXymB7oQdBv9iV2y3AREuKyPftIKULTwcs23mcNSP7u7qtjOvuqLTRA4R4y4Cg-wKAYwIaOgT85Bbh1Ii5ffY89Oq2c97C9mP/s4032/IMG_8587.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwknxdnkfwqsqPSf6JmByMH8ZredTaGEhzyGWOWd4roKsIc7JvW8veJeeLgO-3LzU0kx2WjO1S0VOneC_WPwWZF25_irSVXymB7oQdBv9iV2y3AREuKyPftIKULTwcs23mcNSP7u7qtjOvuqLTRA4R4y4Cg-wKAYwIaOgT85Bbh1Ii5ffY89Oq2c97C9mP/s320/IMG_8587.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the woodland, the visitor trail leads behind the Hall to the rose garden. Empty of flowers at this time of year, it still has a charm derived from the formal clipped hedges and trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZZXcJJH4NcSF8T4uQwsz-t7YT5Q88TkT13i-hri4vGlXZKz7VdXu_bo_IqWppEg0j0EgmQrQ8MOrJeb6Xu2pJo8M7XC9JrobQOGb-2kiixX1xd_3C0nxMvLwxXsM0POx2lQ8G9zH1qqpyOH89xY63-Fw5cvYu-Ho3G14Bsl1tjAuH12LPDxX_KGgfLMn/s4032/IMG_8588.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZZXcJJH4NcSF8T4uQwsz-t7YT5Q88TkT13i-hri4vGlXZKz7VdXu_bo_IqWppEg0j0EgmQrQ8MOrJeb6Xu2pJo8M7XC9JrobQOGb-2kiixX1xd_3C0nxMvLwxXsM0POx2lQ8G9zH1qqpyOH89xY63-Fw5cvYu-Ho3G14Bsl1tjAuH12LPDxX_KGgfLMn/s320/IMG_8588.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Paths then wind down towards a small lake where it was warm enough to sit and admire the view for a few minutes. Not for long, but to be able to sit outside in February is marvelous.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftDdVOR1918J-wIvynU4x_JGRt7L5_UL9XlDNSBaJxevoJZr7bZCCoFiH56NhOtvl3ZNQ_433-e_ff7Bf718826tmBD0kT0v4K8LwtGkWmdqD1CEqZkk65eDCo4WMNOqZ3J1vUUWjPAs-WnfqM0UqXMR04iM0VRA3VrmyLFQKFD8QpYqSW9TM8fIR8lSx/s4032/IMG_8591.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftDdVOR1918J-wIvynU4x_JGRt7L5_UL9XlDNSBaJxevoJZr7bZCCoFiH56NhOtvl3ZNQ_433-e_ff7Bf718826tmBD0kT0v4K8LwtGkWmdqD1CEqZkk65eDCo4WMNOqZ3J1vUUWjPAs-WnfqM0UqXMR04iM0VRA3VrmyLFQKFD8QpYqSW9TM8fIR8lSx/w400-h300/IMG_8591.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8ZaZPq5VcoBCdJUQmi5q2tZLfgbj-dS1dIH74QBaXMtnYlrES6YYq7rwX0ckCjhy49HysIbckxTOfKKOqlPX9DYbvyTw8Qh2oAOODZd5TA6GOontRe8eXa8bAlAh4_3XbBAliA94TvH32CoHXpyFaG-6q0-RpAMWWKd61wXqpBJkq_izlRzYXwDbo8HV/s4032/IMG_8598.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8ZaZPq5VcoBCdJUQmi5q2tZLfgbj-dS1dIH74QBaXMtnYlrES6YYq7rwX0ckCjhy49HysIbckxTOfKKOqlPX9DYbvyTw8Qh2oAOODZd5TA6GOontRe8eXa8bAlAh4_3XbBAliA94TvH32CoHXpyFaG-6q0-RpAMWWKd61wXqpBJkq_izlRzYXwDbo8HV/w200-h150/IMG_8598.JPEG" width="200" /></a></div><br /> It was even pleasant enough that we sat outside for tea and cake. Spring certainly feels like it's arrived<p></p><br /></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-83332625313572526912024-02-11T12:01:00.001+00:002024-02-13T11:27:20.272+00:00Snowdrops and more at Calke Abbey<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv0272n8ZOYcYZTH3y9c-7ncmuIMpBmsgmEHSSizaQ0KcFlnlOzK6YpVRapFU-RHHthGGIxMQjEZYTVb5R12mSVAcvT26WLvl04smarBjVLZo46SvG8a1AFoHK6MijCImwEkLqYURsBDQC1fS5bXbed0v744qCdOrr1c7QJWVPhtcCSX37OdP571QweY1/s4032/IMG_8486.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv0272n8ZOYcYZTH3y9c-7ncmuIMpBmsgmEHSSizaQ0KcFlnlOzK6YpVRapFU-RHHthGGIxMQjEZYTVb5R12mSVAcvT26WLvl04smarBjVLZo46SvG8a1AFoHK6MijCImwEkLqYURsBDQC1fS5bXbed0v744qCdOrr1c7QJWVPhtcCSX37OdP571QweY1/s320/IMG_8486.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Now, it's not a good sign for the second of February (Candlemas/Groundhog Day) to be bright and sunny, but it was so I decided to make the most of it by going out to Calke in search of more snowdrops.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3wMthje5i5VwG77EU0R_D_wKjK8Ig1Iy5Al4pax84ZbO3BzcCfe0wQSAioYFQbyw3CiApwveUuDmo9z9jHgMRomGEBLSbHNdklBISa3cdtiFVL79DcrHIhTN7CGmf4yYPNmw3yazu-og58huiU_8S3CHYng71ICqSgtHfrwBTPv8T9Iqv55WzgfinDWT/s4032/IMG_8488.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3wMthje5i5VwG77EU0R_D_wKjK8Ig1Iy5Al4pax84ZbO3BzcCfe0wQSAioYFQbyw3CiApwveUuDmo9z9jHgMRomGEBLSbHNdklBISa3cdtiFVL79DcrHIhTN7CGmf4yYPNmw3yazu-og58huiU_8S3CHYng71ICqSgtHfrwBTPv8T9Iqv55WzgfinDWT/w150-h200/IMG_8488.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>First though on the way into the gardens there were other signs of Spring's approach - the scent of a winter honeysuckle, and the bright sparks of witchhazel's flowers<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EGKnxXZcrxHBZXTKtdBmflFeo7L6h9MtGw7hp30N37kQXO83G-jea-CsLihSZGApaUqVDQ7HjwTrAgR1f-ZYxd64DxDbxs67Bl_mkxxcRR-Mddm8Zre76F0DrGFvTBTufFlsCKCPkQ4yB2-iJsKUO6SUWciTstNyoHUWBElAf-01RF4wEZxmMFJ6GZt-/s4032/IMG_8489.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EGKnxXZcrxHBZXTKtdBmflFeo7L6h9MtGw7hp30N37kQXO83G-jea-CsLihSZGApaUqVDQ7HjwTrAgR1f-ZYxd64DxDbxs67Bl_mkxxcRR-Mddm8Zre76F0DrGFvTBTufFlsCKCPkQ4yB2-iJsKUO6SUWciTstNyoHUWBElAf-01RF4wEZxmMFJ6GZt-/w150-h200/IMG_8489.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXAGijFqeEbOdOcQ9GNbdNeIQ_dBr8nftJSARm6ET0oGO3IO7f-r-OoSJcMs-tlOmdRm0or1_LohWjhY0TvdbRs2mJE8-00JVbFW23_R3sf2HtWOI5y4MZxLHhN5BJA4OY0tVICfLkJWPY7ckJnDRBVzdewUHDzsPI6cYf51y6bOwTZKTKU_wzq8AMBBo/s4032/IMG_8491.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXAGijFqeEbOdOcQ9GNbdNeIQ_dBr8nftJSARm6ET0oGO3IO7f-r-OoSJcMs-tlOmdRm0or1_LohWjhY0TvdbRs2mJE8-00JVbFW23_R3sf2HtWOI5y4MZxLHhN5BJA4OY0tVICfLkJWPY7ckJnDRBVzdewUHDzsPI6cYf51y6bOwTZKTKU_wzq8AMBBo/s320/IMG_8491.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Just inside the walled garden, the visitor is met by a display of snowdrops; so many subtly different varieties!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT8kSpDTt8YQcMRolQRVUXZUBVFjZ1h6vg5rh-hxZVjAKjY0GCK9Je4ynWL2yXt2aQmIMZrmUpItD-4B-W0Q_DCVc6VE2Q1f3EtD8x_5dgF-XkLl41OkYh35I4-4T-Y7N5FkjdRJ68qjHEuhK6DV5YFmZCV8pawDN0jJJfO3LI9XTXHwjH4M8qFDvm-ah/s4032/IMG_8493.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT8kSpDTt8YQcMRolQRVUXZUBVFjZ1h6vg5rh-hxZVjAKjY0GCK9Je4ynWL2yXt2aQmIMZrmUpItD-4B-W0Q_DCVc6VE2Q1f3EtD8x_5dgF-XkLl41OkYh35I4-4T-Y7N5FkjdRJ68qjHEuhK6DV5YFmZCV8pawDN0jJJfO3LI9XTXHwjH4M8qFDvm-ah/s320/IMG_8493.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>Turning round though my attention was caught by a flash of pink - tiny cyclamens flowering almost unnoticed, and nearby the brilliant blue of iris reticulata.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CWD_juBv3dKAUxydM61tgm3ohbtQJRv9t44N108rzfCVSStLgGa_PnHX-lcm-errX87H7JgtroiGliuH1rAhavqKc5RdAQqAfFDalR6sAelVsHJk-BqWw6yFog1e3T7_zTVweW8WAUZ4rquIpZMyzNXkmmUvoyU3wx4Oa7UcWnCpb2T3SBRseegWvhh-/s4032/IMG_8495.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CWD_juBv3dKAUxydM61tgm3ohbtQJRv9t44N108rzfCVSStLgGa_PnHX-lcm-errX87H7JgtroiGliuH1rAhavqKc5RdAQqAfFDalR6sAelVsHJk-BqWw6yFog1e3T7_zTVweW8WAUZ4rquIpZMyzNXkmmUvoyU3wx4Oa7UcWnCpb2T3SBRseegWvhh-/s320/IMG_8495.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>In the mostly empty vegetable garden, I found more irises, in pots in a sheltered spot, so further advanced.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvoWg4m0Bs6bTe56JYf1j8Y79yV-VIwCNpmK1wCaKJ0FWSKoDscLhkcHnepSkIlVqSlRpL2ZszEuheSKzbISW2gDxKjjLleMrwWNHpE5KCnLyGyFgtBut9ltXJ90tOF-hh5Reo-KsWQnHCDRfaNsTdRZbhFgHKjyTihhUwh6JeiyY-nW6hfUGOB0QR5a6/s4032/IMG_8496.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvoWg4m0Bs6bTe56JYf1j8Y79yV-VIwCNpmK1wCaKJ0FWSKoDscLhkcHnepSkIlVqSlRpL2ZszEuheSKzbISW2gDxKjjLleMrwWNHpE5KCnLyGyFgtBut9ltXJ90tOF-hh5Reo-KsWQnHCDRfaNsTdRZbhFgHKjyTihhUwh6JeiyY-nW6hfUGOB0QR5a6/s320/IMG_8496.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>And narcissus growing along the edge of the vegetable beds. <div><br /></div><div>Such a variety of spring flowers made it feel like winter truly was behind us.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKBGA_Qkci1apLB_36pZi0WRERczgTXEX3SpSy4qK4d9DWFHs4zND6FCnrz2AsZf_nh4crcxUY7U04osyqnLu72AbF_7As26L6b-qmO_SZQr9jmz9_U-CAmYLJl5fA4HFyxg4eJR_vUEJf-2DV53ntFBykb09CLFK_eppBF4yMs359px1Nl6L7Dvp380H/s4032/IMG_8499.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKBGA_Qkci1apLB_36pZi0WRERczgTXEX3SpSy4qK4d9DWFHs4zND6FCnrz2AsZf_nh4crcxUY7U04osyqnLu72AbF_7As26L6b-qmO_SZQr9jmz9_U-CAmYLJl5fA4HFyxg4eJR_vUEJf-2DV53ntFBykb09CLFK_eppBF4yMs359px1Nl6L7Dvp380H/s320/IMG_8499.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>On the slope below the walled gardens and on the tree-lined walk up to the church more snowdrops were shrugging off the winter cold <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO0MJVKRluvusqZPHJI4sB-bDPwM3zpnZIGxaOuc9PEPHDYo-wFMxIi_oJRci6Ug16cwaVY-8rl3sGUZoOdYjSMgyxddrQiEpfMzlfzktKEMP23_Ib1usb4lFEczqa6rLU-h6b1jWgLj1rb216L-XgcfLYcK6aU5rIgT2hJYWFzL7hLcB1fRsv3v_C4mS/s4032/IMG_8501.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO0MJVKRluvusqZPHJI4sB-bDPwM3zpnZIGxaOuc9PEPHDYo-wFMxIi_oJRci6Ug16cwaVY-8rl3sGUZoOdYjSMgyxddrQiEpfMzlfzktKEMP23_Ib1usb4lFEczqa6rLU-h6b1jWgLj1rb216L-XgcfLYcK6aU5rIgT2hJYWFzL7hLcB1fRsv3v_C4mS/s320/IMG_8501.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf-YE48DAwOTPLjexCHTEaK89b_3EzIh1szON_k_rGcsvjr8Wa3TAKyRhqY1eAy0cLCAGT5aT5u3nsmLCr9DKoQq7AE7yrp7grgvj5ojYsgePg0OV2FxCD4613lGeBBpIsUrnyEwuU5Mp4qWzvWp55B1pLdcbvAjOjmsmhtC_nJsJLi5BlQ_6D8HlgI-C/s4032/IMG_8505.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf-YE48DAwOTPLjexCHTEaK89b_3EzIh1szON_k_rGcsvjr8Wa3TAKyRhqY1eAy0cLCAGT5aT5u3nsmLCr9DKoQq7AE7yrp7grgvj5ojYsgePg0OV2FxCD4613lGeBBpIsUrnyEwuU5Mp4qWzvWp55B1pLdcbvAjOjmsmhtC_nJsJLi5BlQ_6D8HlgI-C/s320/IMG_8505.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and on the path back up to the exit, I spotted the bright yellow of aconites. Somehow I'd missed them on the way in, but they were a lovely note to end my visit on.<br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-76015866426432309942024-02-07T19:32:00.003+00:002024-02-13T11:27:37.931+00:00The End of Winter? Snowdrops at Kedleston <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfbe3JNQNVd5M18Je1PYP9PN0nJLCAF5fQNq2cZTVvc9vofjCMBOGiuMufViRKUzmhd9foKTKmvLqymJ6jDTgxmTPnPa4LmJ0gHXqwqTTgOPp8crGM8Izfb_bCQBIxwg4V-F1wM0cpecCmSV5ewTx8np3j8UdgTjGUR51r3NiI69sgBH4-Sll-mxYYQJG/s4032/IMG_8477.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfbe3JNQNVd5M18Je1PYP9PN0nJLCAF5fQNq2cZTVvc9vofjCMBOGiuMufViRKUzmhd9foKTKmvLqymJ6jDTgxmTPnPa4LmJ0gHXqwqTTgOPp8crGM8Izfb_bCQBIxwg4V-F1wM0cpecCmSV5ewTx8np3j8UdgTjGUR51r3NiI69sgBH4-Sll-mxYYQJG/w150-h200/IMG_8477.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>February came in with mild weather and sunshine, so I went off out in search of snowdrops and any other signs of Spring which could be found. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfLmmsZEHwWfys0cvCrtRWEKHUQsGY844AkPLHLqcQjVkLDJNdSx7tf2MXpHzT-DKhdTVO3JwU9MNQ7gIIP_bFhKM9cjZe0UOixWi_gvSLuc7WEPjGjBAzRTkI9QtcLaLJlBhq_IbuC57XuTr6ooSLHuKzs68g7cwgllUqlDlf6Ea-SHx9NnYfXWI4DDD/s4032/IMG_8458.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfLmmsZEHwWfys0cvCrtRWEKHUQsGY844AkPLHLqcQjVkLDJNdSx7tf2MXpHzT-DKhdTVO3JwU9MNQ7gIIP_bFhKM9cjZe0UOixWi_gvSLuc7WEPjGjBAzRTkI9QtcLaLJlBhq_IbuC57XuTr6ooSLHuKzs68g7cwgllUqlDlf6Ea-SHx9NnYfXWI4DDD/s320/IMG_8458.JPEG" width="320" /></a>First stop was, as so often, Kedleston Hall. I know this National Trust property has at least one sweeping bed of snowdrops and hoped to find other flowers too. Like many places, Kedleston has suffered from too much rain in the last few months and various grassed areas are cordoned off to help them recover, which unfortunately meant I couldn't get really close to the snowdrops in the Pleasure Grounds. They aren't open fully yet though so hopefully I'll be able to see them at closer quarters on a return visit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z2URbD6JArJgD-jwPhvuFnEbcjF0-shzrKhpSfG2n51OCPvQ78GDB7M_qsKrxznugEr0s7-3Zy6tLLFkK3SkOsbhXplHwDF_ijpnYnaiiEMX2GdV-vbi0KtJWtZFflPSmpKQT8eeTnya26d7HtnuTsnAxjg5mMzQaTvOsoogSnHOn3SHHkGR-5NifWxJ/s4032/IMG_8459.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Z2URbD6JArJgD-jwPhvuFnEbcjF0-shzrKhpSfG2n51OCPvQ78GDB7M_qsKrxznugEr0s7-3Zy6tLLFkK3SkOsbhXplHwDF_ijpnYnaiiEMX2GdV-vbi0KtJWtZFflPSmpKQT8eeTnya26d7HtnuTsnAxjg5mMzQaTvOsoogSnHOn3SHHkGR-5NifWxJ/w400-h300/IMG_8459.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Pleasure Grounds themselves feel larger at this time of year, without trees breaking up the view. The orangery isn't open to visitors but in the shrubbery behind it is a surprise - a really early-flowering rhododendron. It's not quite flowering yet but there are plenty of buds waiting for warmer weather.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYF-31IrGZ3mPt5LiwhStg33V6LeAdsQl3q3zqsfhxM3qVYBTrwtSq11bjV7DsdYT1aH7pVsUZborTM40CIAwGR-bHe6KM4HyMeBJpcJRlq6BFw5TamnOaaSdjpCUlL6qoOWp85_1papKrPS1adyvOUeqC5uHl7q5ma_COK9v5foCap9a9duAxbmutGmm/s4032/IMG_8457.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYF-31IrGZ3mPt5LiwhStg33V6LeAdsQl3q3zqsfhxM3qVYBTrwtSq11bjV7DsdYT1aH7pVsUZborTM40CIAwGR-bHe6KM4HyMeBJpcJRlq6BFw5TamnOaaSdjpCUlL6qoOWp85_1papKrPS1adyvOUeqC5uHl7q5ma_COK9v5foCap9a9duAxbmutGmm/s320/IMG_8457.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vUObd41MxHkaY4Tj-zV6dXFcjA5UJkjqwYsNFsMvCBYbXkOYC5mN6fltwTbD3Ci_2RkthbnhE4Nmyu97WjhtfTClHqODqFI3aZ5BsNrkZH4XQ1j3r_PQgp3T0reyljsGTCcfq3YVQauYJ59ckEyuMA4rNkjJnWDtFCGb6Jmk-l6orDzZ0cMNLUtdqHth/s4032/IMG_8456.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vUObd41MxHkaY4Tj-zV6dXFcjA5UJkjqwYsNFsMvCBYbXkOYC5mN6fltwTbD3Ci_2RkthbnhE4Nmyu97WjhtfTClHqODqFI3aZ5BsNrkZH4XQ1j3r_PQgp3T0reyljsGTCcfq3YVQauYJ59ckEyuMA4rNkjJnWDtFCGb6Jmk-l6orDzZ0cMNLUtdqHth/w150-h200/IMG_8456.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5NyCo-N4b8e5LRlLNtLBX99kMaJ6IOEAcmZF3nA0gRFP1ESlEPR3lrGLr-F8LxpO27W4Ga5l6h6AXcFrhvhzjhWMSURJvBYDS_Zt5fOCyXnlYIofacm2I5G3xK80ULjjgwBQzQnRuVL5mrS5McaTKa7-zKiQWMRqNOrxm-xlhIadDEMV-dPLC0rq9cdG/s4032/IMG_8463.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5NyCo-N4b8e5LRlLNtLBX99kMaJ6IOEAcmZF3nA0gRFP1ESlEPR3lrGLr-F8LxpO27W4Ga5l6h6AXcFrhvhzjhWMSURJvBYDS_Zt5fOCyXnlYIofacm2I5G3xK80ULjjgwBQzQnRuVL5mrS5McaTKa7-zKiQWMRqNOrxm-xlhIadDEMV-dPLC0rq9cdG/s320/IMG_8463.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Heading up the Short Walk I found more snowdrops, a cherry-plum in bud, and, most surprisingly, a daffodil in flower. The first I've seen this year.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcai-IGWFebhDiiln6-v86pzYXtw47XNDD0JgdSBCy_PPHeSeG6ynOrqKALh6nHo_Pq70EjPflBf5h71bZpAMtBWPgubsrdHNTa4A5q3eTFhYTj-MUZD5Eg2Frbxcx9EFQ3YY43EvFk_Ef50ortTnArTiNdUpT93I5miiUBFnPZ1LJEssU5G2UqUXU95sE/s4032/IMG_8476.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcai-IGWFebhDiiln6-v86pzYXtw47XNDD0JgdSBCy_PPHeSeG6ynOrqKALh6nHo_Pq70EjPflBf5h71bZpAMtBWPgubsrdHNTa4A5q3eTFhYTj-MUZD5Eg2Frbxcx9EFQ3YY43EvFk_Ef50ortTnArTiNdUpT93I5miiUBFnPZ1LJEssU5G2UqUXU95sE/w150-h200/IMG_8476.JPEG" width="150" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaaTwECakX9WHS1wyy1C3uM2bkp0slojrTIA6M1W3tsbylFrVZBerySVGH7dBx4byrNTgn1N-R8b7z1nY6J_zo9hsRaSc0maRRH2h_rPLDBUn9OBOq-ig6l1ehIvhWf2GUXzCOdW-8x9JhwVGF7jE8qQlvSehyQMqpCiqUt2SI2__DRzWk8Nj2C02bpVx/s4032/IMG_8466.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaaTwECakX9WHS1wyy1C3uM2bkp0slojrTIA6M1W3tsbylFrVZBerySVGH7dBx4byrNTgn1N-R8b7z1nY6J_zo9hsRaSc0maRRH2h_rPLDBUn9OBOq-ig6l1ehIvhWf2GUXzCOdW-8x9JhwVGF7jE8qQlvSehyQMqpCiqUt2SI2__DRzWk8Nj2C02bpVx/s320/IMG_8466.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-sACtrYwi7pf0l7J6f5HN5qsoN-W3aAuoU2lS_1JW7-xBDWh3hNI3nglM-VsiqGKBUjOzFNNcy-acYH6U3QXpgiDOMNaARYEttx6a0X6pxQMwk3dZzjtV-Mv6t1CDUK2-6mwu-ZNV8582N8zAhwKYkn6eqI7AWntZwLjYhGK60w0-pBGlofRCfA-9l1z/s4032/IMG_8469.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-sACtrYwi7pf0l7J6f5HN5qsoN-W3aAuoU2lS_1JW7-xBDWh3hNI3nglM-VsiqGKBUjOzFNNcy-acYH6U3QXpgiDOMNaARYEttx6a0X6pxQMwk3dZzjtV-Mv6t1CDUK2-6mwu-ZNV8582N8zAhwKYkn6eqI7AWntZwLjYhGK60w0-pBGlofRCfA-9l1z/w150-h200/IMG_8469.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lLO1U5bCESi5zG8Yxo0k_p3-mne3Naa3EO-I8qGYhBlb2i1ASrzoRim6zBf3L3Jy4BGz4r_enH8uALSjGIhmNElq3S6oUrpym7qk8XfgnnNKtosQT4QhBzrGDqZfyRpJzyoRqzTnLFuBWSjcpDsvzVGBpuBOchV16OCGWfJhMUN0Q-xuvhGoCWfxQh1_/s4032/IMG_8472.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lLO1U5bCESi5zG8Yxo0k_p3-mne3Naa3EO-I8qGYhBlb2i1ASrzoRim6zBf3L3Jy4BGz4r_enH8uALSjGIhmNElq3S6oUrpym7qk8XfgnnNKtosQT4QhBzrGDqZfyRpJzyoRqzTnLFuBWSjcpDsvzVGBpuBOchV16OCGWfJhMUN0Q-xuvhGoCWfxQh1_/s320/IMG_8472.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb8D-nO8HwgKUlESGYaedQuCiMQKSEaqGfLjeH-jBCCtixy2oSUZOf6rmxgyrU0_iSikgFKD_UkkElVCdp-333BFqkpmLK-BDknbXvpsfMdAesquj65QQ1iNz2bfwka7wkgOeJRLpPUO1C0kg3Yx170Jjo7QjJfMDPG90AZx5flEjZAEXKD7FbVfkanO5/s4032/IMG_8475.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb8D-nO8HwgKUlESGYaedQuCiMQKSEaqGfLjeH-jBCCtixy2oSUZOf6rmxgyrU0_iSikgFKD_UkkElVCdp-333BFqkpmLK-BDknbXvpsfMdAesquj65QQ1iNz2bfwka7wkgOeJRLpPUO1C0kg3Yx170Jjo7QjJfMDPG90AZx5flEjZAEXKD7FbVfkanO5/s320/IMG_8475.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the way home, the sky lit up, first yellow then red, promising another good day ahead.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Sq_PCV9yeohMv_wRx07cPfXATiB2eeKshyphenhyphenCKJsCYmHJ0rrRmZTbH1Mk22_RK7riuAGYMnN2yTXaR_HBiENbz3jTzYetfwfjQ4R4ekuDYnnxqSIwSKuMjSXuNrCbei8dBepbCCtm6cYSRg6xadBIq3DcXS2H2XGlCjveT34NAgMYvHFwtxdzPNqRtmZJb/s4032/IMG_8484.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Sq_PCV9yeohMv_wRx07cPfXATiB2eeKshyphenhyphenCKJsCYmHJ0rrRmZTbH1Mk22_RK7riuAGYMnN2yTXaR_HBiENbz3jTzYetfwfjQ4R4ekuDYnnxqSIwSKuMjSXuNrCbei8dBepbCCtm6cYSRg6xadBIq3DcXS2H2XGlCjveT34NAgMYvHFwtxdzPNqRtmZJb/w400-h300/IMG_8484.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-74219405157681452542024-01-31T19:19:00.004+00:002024-01-31T19:21:00.051+00:00January; a slow month<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENgtm0RmLfxZKJQW776Ja8qsyur580w8O4SMM3FGdyB9bXYnO2p3VrAASx0jRuYp1yj271o4bdf25qn-O__fOlkUJsEqHXwrSqyBPzWJKoZNVxmmTu1AwkqHHfPN2sgJTKkzmqWtNYUne6mdcrqDJl_AZT1_RpCg4IUN_ZL1NY8KsBxZBvsdRCpUdJhmU/s4032/IMG_8352.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENgtm0RmLfxZKJQW776Ja8qsyur580w8O4SMM3FGdyB9bXYnO2p3VrAASx0jRuYp1yj271o4bdf25qn-O__fOlkUJsEqHXwrSqyBPzWJKoZNVxmmTu1AwkqHHfPN2sgJTKkzmqWtNYUne6mdcrqDJl_AZT1_RpCg4IUN_ZL1NY8KsBxZBvsdRCpUdJhmU/s320/IMG_8352.JPEG" width="240" /></a> Overall, I don't mind January, although I always find it a contradictory month; a slow month when nothing much seems to happen, but one which slips by quickly. It started with a bright sunny day, which always feels like a good omen, but one which didn't encourage me to dash about doing things. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS7gusFtWZj2meo39b6yQtts0Q28tb6qevFWSeHjOuPbBMz5U7nSQIWOk58qj_iQILzMWq5lpdgtlQlZv8SqLhTYnvethnOzpmMylzuasuDVVaHoZbfSdLlO7zXdDR8x6j_YSO92obnkrp8FcirscfYxtzmSESqMhKOusoU0WYBpYvIFcnYkR59PCR5C4/s4032/IMG_8428.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS7gusFtWZj2meo39b6yQtts0Q28tb6qevFWSeHjOuPbBMz5U7nSQIWOk58qj_iQILzMWq5lpdgtlQlZv8SqLhTYnvethnOzpmMylzuasuDVVaHoZbfSdLlO7zXdDR8x6j_YSO92obnkrp8FcirscfYxtzmSESqMhKOusoU0WYBpYvIFcnYkR59PCR5C4/s320/IMG_8428.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>I like it this way. After the busy lead-up to Christmas and the bustle of the holiday period, there's a quiet dullness to the days immediately afterwards, and this year particularly I've tried to relax and just enjoy them. I've no work to return to. It's too early and cold to do much in the garden. So I've just taken things slowly; pottering in the garden, listening to the robin sing, watching the days lengthen, and the snowdrops emerge.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQb1bI4jppvtYezk4N7giist9NY1ckn5egOCQDxoqYmvhNu4pZe_OU_n8yHwFnMkq1TwYG-ThBVyonJa-dY442m548EbHwgNew-42UA2Gj_0OKSH2GtmDrrQx4Q7T0txcdhsul-INREvaz72Y47WpAsDD5AjtGgZza6YMp-8Q55E5QC2JrT4YttCl9vTz8/s1640/IMG_8410.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1627" data-original-width="1640" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQb1bI4jppvtYezk4N7giist9NY1ckn5egOCQDxoqYmvhNu4pZe_OU_n8yHwFnMkq1TwYG-ThBVyonJa-dY442m548EbHwgNew-42UA2Gj_0OKSH2GtmDrrQx4Q7T0txcdhsul-INREvaz72Y47WpAsDD5AjtGgZza6YMp-8Q55E5QC2JrT4YttCl9vTz8/w200-h198/IMG_8410.JPEG" width="200" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>In contrast to my lazy start to the year, the weather's been pretty active with alternating clear cold (far too cold) days, and rainy blowy days. Either way it's made me want to stay inside.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>It's a time of year for self care - which for me means achieving things with very little effort. Some jobs left over from last year were cleared out of the way - getting the hall carpet fitted (due before Christmas), and the fence replaced (damaged in December's storms). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD6aYCDh-TRjR0H792CmYe3I5CQL4iFrCt5PHQT2XEcyd5SifdJPnbpUy_l4X8n5oSe0r9llLF0XtoN59ltUkkNuy339oyhlzg1-eOwnVMKC45b51lsUEdd0a7ifYL-QNY1_5SW08INxVWw7KQnNOLAqOwV3N3BJbbAGRvYC07PQT_SWBbvAAw1CrY4iO/s3088/IMG_8425.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD6aYCDh-TRjR0H792CmYe3I5CQL4iFrCt5PHQT2XEcyd5SifdJPnbpUy_l4X8n5oSe0r9llLF0XtoN59ltUkkNuy339oyhlzg1-eOwnVMKC45b51lsUEdd0a7ifYL-QNY1_5SW08INxVWw7KQnNOLAqOwV3N3BJbbAGRvYC07PQT_SWBbvAAw1CrY4iO/s320/IMG_8425.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>I haven't actually been totally idle but it's been a matter of low effort for maximum result. Instead of picking up my current knitting project (which has been dragging on forever), I tackled a quicker, more productive task. I have a couple of fair isle cardigans which instead of buttoning nicely up the front always flop open, so I took some matching yarn and sewed them up. Now I have two warm jumpers for very little effort.<p></p><p>I cleared a little of the freezer and made marmalade with the left-over lemon pieces I collect. .</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2nyHIN6jO8_KdDIQEF2Mj2ll7ut_AZ0VjoLuF-u7GhvxrgfnWeyb6D836bK0wLeN6kmNFGc9JyZ-pZuLlywdG4lfy3g2LGhGvXMTeGHfL8BsqW6Oi4uBOHgiA-WSNR3kg15fkAfbhI8yZiZ2-hmQjsunFWjLa4bP0aGiwh9jUjPWnLWbM-0dmdLf_jTw/s4032/IMG_8423.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2nyHIN6jO8_KdDIQEF2Mj2ll7ut_AZ0VjoLuF-u7GhvxrgfnWeyb6D836bK0wLeN6kmNFGc9JyZ-pZuLlywdG4lfy3g2LGhGvXMTeGHfL8BsqW6Oi4uBOHgiA-WSNR3kg15fkAfbhI8yZiZ2-hmQjsunFWjLa4bP0aGiwh9jUjPWnLWbM-0dmdLf_jTw/w200-h150/IMG_8423.JPEG" width="200" /></a></div>And in the interests of self care a few treats were necessary - from the sales and from my new favourite 'store', the online second-hand clothes outlet Vinted. I've been delighted with my first cautious purchases here and decided to be a little more adventurous, buying shoes, long skirts to keep me warm through the last of winter, and lightweight tops ready for spring.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZvcLHidns9vrhnoPsk1VWBdi4G501t1pmbzlDQ4pDsJN6y2VpwNDXkzu8mxglNbMkcvAAenQbjTdaCd_gm50yTwUtHNZ0vPfXK-yb50oev3ZwP8VU91VEq8jIFuOgxjqJernKLiTtuMj50EG3Ij1co0rrTcXH-W0nQEIkf5VzbUMcvan3z_rzO1xeOw2/s2258/IMG_8377.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="1694" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZvcLHidns9vrhnoPsk1VWBdi4G501t1pmbzlDQ4pDsJN6y2VpwNDXkzu8mxglNbMkcvAAenQbjTdaCd_gm50yTwUtHNZ0vPfXK-yb50oev3ZwP8VU91VEq8jIFuOgxjqJernKLiTtuMj50EG3Ij1co0rrTcXH-W0nQEIkf5VzbUMcvan3z_rzO1xeOw2/w150-h200/IMG_8377.JPEG" width="150" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9bK2tF6UNGY8P7QVF8_v5tejKGfM1lWcB749r5yV6qEvJ-gmzPv3luITwpJ3JMT5M1JRG0NEaJVY387kUnxrp_IM0bq-akjEue8Nw_hdV_JRxLUhZD4bIkL3i6hfpnL4aZp3_zbvCea1XNajCZJWXGXwmpCBWu9UqQOUqUmS_-25x4_57kb2bVAIPo8y/s4032/IMG_8405.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9bK2tF6UNGY8P7QVF8_v5tejKGfM1lWcB749r5yV6qEvJ-gmzPv3luITwpJ3JMT5M1JRG0NEaJVY387kUnxrp_IM0bq-akjEue8Nw_hdV_JRxLUhZD4bIkL3i6hfpnL4aZp3_zbvCea1XNajCZJWXGXwmpCBWu9UqQOUqUmS_-25x4_57kb2bVAIPo8y/s320/IMG_8405.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Veganuary has now become a regular things for me. It forces me to slow down and take time over planning and cooking meals rather than dash around then grab a takeaway or ready meal from the freezer. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsRzUmb3VjnRPp0L2-bsxWkk8TMo_akDdKZRR9fSLvQIPiqtYwc9siC4qYDGCgOvNnM8d3xS35J5eAkzNhKP1uhLpAaIUx_R0VtQ_8rLXFshGpU02PIYjN89O2IJ12EIAqTplOcJlxOUViA-MNQtHGL09MNVlMzaPlr2UUtitXmPcyGDfKk-FeFlZNM2w/s4032/IMG_8387.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsRzUmb3VjnRPp0L2-bsxWkk8TMo_akDdKZRR9fSLvQIPiqtYwc9siC4qYDGCgOvNnM8d3xS35J5eAkzNhKP1uhLpAaIUx_R0VtQ_8rLXFshGpU02PIYjN89O2IJ12EIAqTplOcJlxOUViA-MNQtHGL09MNVlMzaPlr2UUtitXmPcyGDfKk-FeFlZNM2w/s320/IMG_8387.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Now February has arrived and the year seems to be really getting started - there are suddenly things in the diary - family birthdays, snowdrop walks to go on, and a short break booked for in a few weeks. Spring will be here before I know! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>and for making plans for the year ahead - booking a weekend away in the Lake district, </p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-25383922682377746122024-01-13T11:47:00.001+00:002024-01-13T11:49:22.203+00:002023 - a nothing-happening sort of year<p> I can hardy believe we're at the start of another year - and halfway through January - already. 2023 seems to have slipped quickly by almost unnoticed. </p><p>I feel like I spent a lot of the year waiting - for my ankles to recover, for the post-covid lethargy to lift, for the heatwave to pass or the rain to stop. The first months <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/07/not-good-six-months.html" target="_blank">weren't good</a> but I expected things to improve. They didn't. I seem to have slipped into a lethargic mood that nothing could shift. </p><p>Getting back to something approximating normal after the pandemic, I'd planned to take more (many more) short breaks, perhaps even a proper holiday, but ended up taking just three - </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8mLuS6Mg0V7mOKNRvqB4hpmoyX812Z90EoK5PXUvHhr_6QmIATBhuRZjY5nYcnyIlp1UL9xq92vaF_fBFsMmkSTmHRSQmqyJN4yAdVQQuHnBezshEEHWMAqM47WN4pD9BSBoa5zRMMZCjpAydSI5P-xUcy8LjgFofh1lrwsWKdmrSiKWVlw3YSYTVEy-/s4032/IMG_6280.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8mLuS6Mg0V7mOKNRvqB4hpmoyX812Z90EoK5PXUvHhr_6QmIATBhuRZjY5nYcnyIlp1UL9xq92vaF_fBFsMmkSTmHRSQmqyJN4yAdVQQuHnBezshEEHWMAqM47WN4pD9BSBoa5zRMMZCjpAydSI5P-xUcy8LjgFofh1lrwsWKdmrSiKWVlw3YSYTVEy-/s320/IMG_6280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>a Canopy and Stars stay <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/05/peace-comes-dropping-slow.html" target="_blank">in a cabin</a> by the river Nene; a couple of days of almost complete relaxation<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenJ0CCcfK4kWQlGoqNTscMBWxExIIz4iVovMsYkHltAQfkHx774I4dVJOucC27BUxreEkCAYRTF2OcEzy3pTnRGfplp6Vu4nBeEbXNekhuoq2mnT2jaAdJ-x7fFUv-ZpH5rfELtUSXHOHhGe-4L3-DrOCf8DbshQzUl50qLzOIJA2wHEAffDSYf8mvDsW/s4032/IMG_6843.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenJ0CCcfK4kWQlGoqNTscMBWxExIIz4iVovMsYkHltAQfkHx774I4dVJOucC27BUxreEkCAYRTF2OcEzy3pTnRGfplp6Vu4nBeEbXNekhuoq2mnT2jaAdJ-x7fFUv-ZpH5rfELtUSXHOHhGe-4L3-DrOCf8DbshQzUl50qLzOIJA2wHEAffDSYf8mvDsW/s320/IMG_6843.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/06/a-long-weekend-in-conwy.html" target="_blank">a weekend</a> in North Wales via Manchester and back through Shropshire; saw the laburnum arch at Bodnant in full flower (which was one of my bucket list items) - and it's as wonderful as they say - and also the roses winding around the pergolas of the terraces - beautiful and unexpected, and like something out of a fairy tale.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcAEdz1udG6b8gWDgCfKf6saA4X4PAd5ZwxZCowWxt9jnd73YifvPwt5GIZGA5P-vXRJuA-IJ-KZHS3B_rlzluBOPB2hn3Lw0srgjh_BXa_hQCxKnGmDmKJyIHXHxBvk-5zDgwoSTVtZ3IXqmyJIwvIpM1i6OAr0xbFamOJwV4lPqedibpKxbZeF_Ztmb/s4032/IMG_7680.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcAEdz1udG6b8gWDgCfKf6saA4X4PAd5ZwxZCowWxt9jnd73YifvPwt5GIZGA5P-vXRJuA-IJ-KZHS3B_rlzluBOPB2hn3Lw0srgjh_BXa_hQCxKnGmDmKJyIHXHxBvk-5zDgwoSTVtZ3IXqmyJIwvIpM1i6OAr0xbFamOJwV4lPqedibpKxbZeF_Ztmb/s320/IMG_7680.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>back to <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/10/off-on-holiday-again.html" target="_blank">North Norfolk</a>; a mixture of old favourites and new discoveries</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>In between there was the normal round of visits to local gardens to see snowdrops, wisteria, hydrangeas, and some special things such as taking part in one of my daughter's <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/02/sipping-and-painting-with-libbyayres-art.html" target="_blank">sip and paint events</a> - a most enjoyable evening of painting, music, eating, and, yes, sipping. I came away with my own interpretation of 'You're the One That I Want' and think I now understand synaesthesia a little better.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGlETHkpk9PAiXC6Z5NKF13oWjr7NFvhBOop1Zc2IoPodbl0CHg2SixU0ZRQfJZojXnPmzzJhB3c2D9kuo-urK3hfzq6bsnc4qCgMo6AlW8pyeRvVsIcxhNugYlhSQEeDglgl8SElcVKhVSStgbuOUsbE6tkDliUNzQk6bPKTl5Ms4QE6yf8p_qIzB2zo/s3264/IMG_5704.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGlETHkpk9PAiXC6Z5NKF13oWjr7NFvhBOop1Zc2IoPodbl0CHg2SixU0ZRQfJZojXnPmzzJhB3c2D9kuo-urK3hfzq6bsnc4qCgMo6AlW8pyeRvVsIcxhNugYlhSQEeDglgl8SElcVKhVSStgbuOUsbE6tkDliUNzQk6bPKTl5Ms4QE6yf8p_qIzB2zo/s320/IMG_5704.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>A seemingly small thing which might turn out to have had a big impact was taking part in <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/10/second-hand-september.html" target="_blank">Secondhand September</a>, and making my first purchase from Vinted, a clothes reselling site. I started small with a single top, but have since bought skirts and shoes from there. It's definitely influenced how I shop, and where I look for clothes.</p><p><br /></p><p>At the end of the year it suddenly became busy - getting ready for Christmas, going out to see local Christmas events, while decorating the living room and hallway (which I'd been talking about all year). Overall it feels like a year that's been sleep-walked through but after all that last minute rush I'm starting 2024 quietly. </p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-16691252285823899822024-01-01T11:47:00.002+00:002024-01-01T11:47:23.939+00:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfFjs250t6u7Rv4w4hNXJipOYgQnh4JEdjF6kuRzEHfAGUxDzhTiMQS4wHCGU3vMPH4yxbh47QSG7bUY3VRGM1OS3NfDkM9-E8rLAEqdZImTeyWS44PA5eXerkSk025eAdj0_a84iLvOeSZYVQRmT_ee-pl7lpTY0oVAtdfLnXd6MmD2kdJ-_ugVk3e1G/s4032/IMG_8279.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfFjs250t6u7Rv4w4hNXJipOYgQnh4JEdjF6kuRzEHfAGUxDzhTiMQS4wHCGU3vMPH4yxbh47QSG7bUY3VRGM1OS3NfDkM9-E8rLAEqdZImTeyWS44PA5eXerkSk025eAdj0_a84iLvOeSZYVQRmT_ee-pl7lpTY0oVAtdfLnXd6MmD2kdJ-_ugVk3e1G/s320/IMG_8279.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>How was your Christmas?<p></p><p>Here, it's been a busy, fun-filled week.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXkkKZV-I_MMAuPNCsbU3wWB9g0TaClGby3v4LZi4ZQPWe2R1uAcxSnfcMN50s6Atvhsk3vqbxWG5cNgWxdgHrDJm3-3Lem1jks6D0Q4-bCJc2RSLcPfeZ1ZC5aW91lYCm8pjpxy0CXa0mwunvCnlSyjSM5P2T2aOmKhtrQ5GsChiwjrUSmwmro3DepBP/s4032/IMG_8307.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXkkKZV-I_MMAuPNCsbU3wWB9g0TaClGby3v4LZi4ZQPWe2R1uAcxSnfcMN50s6Atvhsk3vqbxWG5cNgWxdgHrDJm3-3Lem1jks6D0Q4-bCJc2RSLcPfeZ1ZC5aW91lYCm8pjpxy0CXa0mwunvCnlSyjSM5P2T2aOmKhtrQ5GsChiwjrUSmwmro3DepBP/s320/IMG_8307.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>I'd volunteered to be in charge of the family Christmas dinner, and despite it being quite a few years since my last attempt I think it went well (though I nearly forgot to cook the pigs in blankets).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoh9tdnthathAwiI2eXIo81zwMS5tEy1CU1NcU2HiqIec5moh_-lzRkch1Ttto3b6yBt3k-clkjAa2uuLdLFOsWb5lZ4sWypeRtMXpeQHm-iamYR_2P6H4ixNO6NW5Jner8rkLsTmcTKfQK4f7QFQU3OqjoQA60vEPj-d-BGn_Ke_I88U_CAr8Ph-om3C/s1166/IMG_8309.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="875" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoh9tdnthathAwiI2eXIo81zwMS5tEy1CU1NcU2HiqIec5moh_-lzRkch1Ttto3b6yBt3k-clkjAa2uuLdLFOsWb5lZ4sWypeRtMXpeQHm-iamYR_2P6H4ixNO6NW5Jner8rkLsTmcTKfQK4f7QFQU3OqjoQA60vEPj-d-BGn_Ke_I88U_CAr8Ph-om3C/s320/IMG_8309.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1lKw1n32NY9PRPsd3o9h3u8WZWD4-urAQXHLZqquxqdzni_i5uACV_xP1zLXQpfcywe_V0u56zDFOoTkvadbUyYWPdw9fbehjOy_tchmN45XYSJIgzaNAm59ZZiP0Ek0z5xENBWjvAvYE_IvuaK9K_-JIR2re8n9NTm4uR4Akkm5hATZgAILdcGxQFKX/s4032/IMG_8317.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1lKw1n32NY9PRPsd3o9h3u8WZWD4-urAQXHLZqquxqdzni_i5uACV_xP1zLXQpfcywe_V0u56zDFOoTkvadbUyYWPdw9fbehjOy_tchmN45XYSJIgzaNAm59ZZiP0Ek0z5xENBWjvAvYE_IvuaK9K_-JIR2re8n9NTm4uR4Akkm5hATZgAILdcGxQFKX/s320/IMG_8317.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p> Apart from one evening when we watched Bridget Jones, it's been a tv-free zone. We've played board games - old favourites like Scrabble and Monopoly, and new ones like Catan and Dinosaur Bingo (who knew there were so any dinosaurs?!). Middle of the week saw my grandson's birthday - and MORE board games plus Hot Wheels.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57dnc1bFIr6X5o7EvXFDZ4QcX8bSRL3-cnS63FS0vhuvejbj1GWfFyvtwYM2Nyb9k1ogZVrKPu3PYOqH9D_kInZ-1qS2hSpPSo_uhoPV1TcOULGH8Zu0pP9Jd3opm-JJuuhDSZlU3pPn3zWXhXSEM7R6zhQ9wIQ5iHXey1NpVgYz0fIyK5zIxqERO9iye/s4032/IMG_8339.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57dnc1bFIr6X5o7EvXFDZ4QcX8bSRL3-cnS63FS0vhuvejbj1GWfFyvtwYM2Nyb9k1ogZVrKPu3PYOqH9D_kInZ-1qS2hSpPSo_uhoPV1TcOULGH8Zu0pP9Jd3opm-JJuuhDSZlU3pPn3zWXhXSEM7R6zhQ9wIQ5iHXey1NpVgYz0fIyK5zIxqERO9iye/s320/IMG_8339.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>On a wild, windy day we headed off to Calke Abbey to follow their Tudor Christmas Trail, and on a calmer one returned to Kedleston to see their Advent Trail again.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPMRhYTVPfHS20S3lJtBQtFZW4l7qg1SDy4Icg08gEcaUZuUH-bCTNbdGg_EvFygmeOGJHtHkQfr3a8pF_DEiy_Ip5lQz2om_uPOA_UDFI_iWqi7q1X4pnS7Ccyb8Isool52603PTJfExzSIjaGcyU-HBUKBfZTMIr1Nq3yC66xBnn-Uo9T14LuZwKfk6/s4032/IMG_8326.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPMRhYTVPfHS20S3lJtBQtFZW4l7qg1SDy4Icg08gEcaUZuUH-bCTNbdGg_EvFygmeOGJHtHkQfr3a8pF_DEiy_Ip5lQz2om_uPOA_UDFI_iWqi7q1X4pnS7Ccyb8Isool52603PTJfExzSIjaGcyU-HBUKBfZTMIr1Nq3yC66xBnn-Uo9T14LuZwKfk6/s320/IMG_8326.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9tm364Xwnt9ju1iUx4Pel0bcZ-hyeK9YbEyXAzUz2yuKoI3MnN6s1bmBT2X1Ho8_v0X3RIjJlVZ7kt5EfFRu-kVhTguM5ciSRUvZHvb2IAlviAwzehyphenhyphencNXaENBoMtT5MZuFYnlbCAg7szAthSsGnvQ2gZHWozpRwhXmuaS9sZ3b4ag8QDZQ7FP5kkoA0/s4032/IMG_8348.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9tm364Xwnt9ju1iUx4Pel0bcZ-hyeK9YbEyXAzUz2yuKoI3MnN6s1bmBT2X1Ho8_v0X3RIjJlVZ7kt5EfFRu-kVhTguM5ciSRUvZHvb2IAlviAwzehyphenhyphencNXaENBoMtT5MZuFYnlbCAg7szAthSsGnvQ2gZHWozpRwhXmuaS9sZ3b4ag8QDZQ7FP5kkoA0/s320/IMG_8348.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcr8E-JWjQk7aOstVYPrESJa-MZ8j3Teo8CTUf39vc61Fzf1ORn_Ixi56gPIEPGHpIzPt_hzuxIhR4t4TOkB_smtbUqonddNn6pEtB1Y-a-SEv76fB-Qt_Eg153OiypFyHi_Ka7TFgsdCF89fD4po7oS7aX1g7io5ukvgBg3FC_hCJQMY9Oc_47XcNzEE/s4032/IMG_8293.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcr8E-JWjQk7aOstVYPrESJa-MZ8j3Teo8CTUf39vc61Fzf1ORn_Ixi56gPIEPGHpIzPt_hzuxIhR4t4TOkB_smtbUqonddNn6pEtB1Y-a-SEv76fB-Qt_Eg153OiypFyHi_Ka7TFgsdCF89fD4po7oS7aX1g7io5ukvgBg3FC_hCJQMY9Oc_47XcNzEE/s320/IMG_8293.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>I feel I'm entering the New Year in a positive mood. The sun in shining, Christmas roses and winter jasmine flowering in the garden, snowdrops pushing their way upwards, and even a couple of brave polyanthus in flower. I know there's a lot of winter still to come - more dark rainy days and probably some snow - but the days are longer and it feels like Spring is on the way.<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0POdoldAoN51nJU5225ARf_192bdFMuYAQXqUkHOg35eLWWhfGJe9ki7575vPamcpVPgxjergh82GYXFdgVYbmCstgUleQgjEQIzibgpFYHmOjp8oQb5sKURgJ_3KJlmayEVu-tSkENg8a_DLWJWuLqQloeXZzAh2HSfy8I3saMAtJPpqJwkDtY9q6gJ/s4032/IMG_8295.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0POdoldAoN51nJU5225ARf_192bdFMuYAQXqUkHOg35eLWWhfGJe9ki7575vPamcpVPgxjergh82GYXFdgVYbmCstgUleQgjEQIzibgpFYHmOjp8oQb5sKURgJ_3KJlmayEVu-tSkENg8a_DLWJWuLqQloeXZzAh2HSfy8I3saMAtJPpqJwkDtY9q6gJ/s320/IMG_8295.JPEG" width="240" /></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-38933072487916399432023-12-31T20:04:00.002+00:002023-12-31T20:04:14.457+00:00Christmas Trail at Calke<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_efbjFKim7_mZ8zBcZzDrZCj-oaEqDKKWoplFp6krl-dOzbWFzbX_FZr3ZPgNPT070Ug7XVs2SOXEPsHmctFESEkWuQk6lcCUXwn35cCtOJWuUD9Lj8Rix1nEGKRyHjMdzzi-91eiUgoEVclx7cwr7E3uPBC6yLRgqy0tzcJYJXyp3GeB1TQ-8bHMXfvR/s3914/IMG_8338.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="3914" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_efbjFKim7_mZ8zBcZzDrZCj-oaEqDKKWoplFp6krl-dOzbWFzbX_FZr3ZPgNPT070Ug7XVs2SOXEPsHmctFESEkWuQk6lcCUXwn35cCtOJWuUD9Lj8Rix1nEGKRyHjMdzzi-91eiUgoEVclx7cwr7E3uPBC6yLRgqy0tzcJYJXyp3GeB1TQ-8bHMXfvR/w400-h144/IMG_8338.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Frb_DpHRzMC0gwR9DQfA64QJXryF-L2eoq-lcUJgTkVu-nCPfiIh7NU3DpAlCTccnxa3HdbPlNaz8t3KjFKWnrfPiL3VGrMhFscyQT9SCwupS23-5Bsd0BKDPpm4kBrr8XnibHWOMn4sG3QWX-r028zmol3LNwa0U-is5r6fyzDosk7eA2mNGg2e_mjM/s4032/IMG_8318.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Frb_DpHRzMC0gwR9DQfA64QJXryF-L2eoq-lcUJgTkVu-nCPfiIh7NU3DpAlCTccnxa3HdbPlNaz8t3KjFKWnrfPiL3VGrMhFscyQT9SCwupS23-5Bsd0BKDPpm4kBrr8XnibHWOMn4sG3QWX-r028zmol3LNwa0U-is5r6fyzDosk7eA2mNGg2e_mjM/s320/IMG_8318.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p>After all the eating on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, it seemed like an excellent idea when y daughter suggested we get out and about somewhere. The weather wasn't brilliant - rain and gusty winds - but I reasoned that Calke's Christmas Trail winding through the stables and on into the walled gardens ought to be relatively sheltered.</p><p>The theme was a Tudor Christmas with a laden table (including presumably roast swan), and various entertainments such as a modern take on shadow theatre, and a toss-the-bean-bag game.</p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0C7AEMcQBnPn9RSuD6_n5HaRUv-u8zU8NwNyplUJsDg5YAcm6sHlxrqxpqpTU2VtRh7Py6nj5kZ_kGWuozDsmdI427HzfRkfXY7KpUQKwU4xkyg1wyOMrgnBHW9syp8PZzfKYN-LiIaftN8TwPK9hcC8lV6qNq2jKSAg6Sc6YPUrJEJUZNpD4C_7tAxU/s4032/IMG_8319.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0C7AEMcQBnPn9RSuD6_n5HaRUv-u8zU8NwNyplUJsDg5YAcm6sHlxrqxpqpTU2VtRh7Py6nj5kZ_kGWuozDsmdI427HzfRkfXY7KpUQKwU4xkyg1wyOMrgnBHW9syp8PZzfKYN-LiIaftN8TwPK9hcC8lV6qNq2jKSAg6Sc6YPUrJEJUZNpD4C_7tAxU/w150-h200/IMG_8319.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxdgWb5L4HcH9SA9ZJ77wHP7J3edGa_gGuhX3zodWNuGcfDcqfOSmZLATKntsZHH7HGtFwcMO8qlGoNUQyMQw31WWszyCFLizbOm80mvQ2RIBkoKdo9o5B4bq-xHxZ8BmBxI59chPNIlU6cQQ01NqM-KlENGmurD2zQgI2HkHzumw5jS3Vsm9qFM6pz76/s4032/IMG_8322.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxdgWb5L4HcH9SA9ZJ77wHP7J3edGa_gGuhX3zodWNuGcfDcqfOSmZLATKntsZHH7HGtFwcMO8qlGoNUQyMQw31WWszyCFLizbOm80mvQ2RIBkoKdo9o5B4bq-xHxZ8BmBxI59chPNIlU6cQQ01NqM-KlENGmurD2zQgI2HkHzumw5jS3Vsm9qFM6pz76/w400-h300/IMG_8322.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGatiV_iZ-fe9pz0tWlWxsohcFZBGvEY9B1ZF4N6Ai4KX6tqUlW8cpDLN2511HCo8MR6bktFL9wU7B0XwY-kpAHd2YzSPDQfdKjYopuwqotVvGsjPRjHCumGARxCS6SzApIthq-c0OxyJagt0vTYYrc1ZG7YkBVCw2x0pmBwNUCuBG7cNLTuZOcKQFZdv/s4032/IMG_8323.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGatiV_iZ-fe9pz0tWlWxsohcFZBGvEY9B1ZF4N6Ai4KX6tqUlW8cpDLN2511HCo8MR6bktFL9wU7B0XwY-kpAHd2YzSPDQfdKjYopuwqotVvGsjPRjHCumGARxCS6SzApIthq-c0OxyJagt0vTYYrc1ZG7YkBVCw2x0pmBwNUCuBG7cNLTuZOcKQFZdv/s320/IMG_8323.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There are lots of nooks and crannies around the stableyard, filled variously with Christmas trees, kissing boughs, and illuminated stars. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHu7CJPsF14p99bfqsB-lEfh5XU5y98z77hAAigyqcpv6RXy6vW6BwSGfJEB49APoJXpQXUYqwZwa6ptU2UaPs7MT7k8zvOd9yMqcDRzl0Q7l-ypyD3gpoUbdtC36B6U294Qw-u7VxG-44Xm3mYv7CCWc4zGwMr4TU3eAtkchAjSViwLIL7B5oe0jgxne/s4032/IMG_8324.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHu7CJPsF14p99bfqsB-lEfh5XU5y98z77hAAigyqcpv6RXy6vW6BwSGfJEB49APoJXpQXUYqwZwa6ptU2UaPs7MT7k8zvOd9yMqcDRzl0Q7l-ypyD3gpoUbdtC36B6U294Qw-u7VxG-44Xm3mYv7CCWc4zGwMr4TU3eAtkchAjSViwLIL7B5oe0jgxne/s320/IMG_8324.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7cwtHggWI3uHhI3kDJkNaNO0TKW4OcvccaQJ-mTlEKYt4xavjV-EH29hRSNIhmpOYlXH8z-qZu4qIB_euCk6aLWCZ2XJaJ-i6evcHEIU-0OiLLEzyIGbA6syKYTIMSxaXM-SOfmQqOTTTuLP4dqeKJAZCoWtiYhBKsv-qGHhBnx_d3jMaphn3lZ7MZDt/s4032/IMG_8326.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7cwtHggWI3uHhI3kDJkNaNO0TKW4OcvccaQJ-mTlEKYt4xavjV-EH29hRSNIhmpOYlXH8z-qZu4qIB_euCk6aLWCZ2XJaJ-i6evcHEIU-0OiLLEzyIGbA6syKYTIMSxaXM-SOfmQqOTTTuLP4dqeKJAZCoWtiYhBKsv-qGHhBnx_d3jMaphn3lZ7MZDt/s320/IMG_8326.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA1hbnZOFYFx2RicK7_GZkfm9_6bpIKYWTByRpK6R1l5ZOLMMhThObUXvJNotVTy4lavYPfVxheZnrKtjod3W9z2ljoIoYXnnzVLaVuXCgsFsJONo5VLlpbIl579R2aBZ-wY444HjYnQNlVE2EAaT4vDVFc3AQhKZZGtn3f9ladP1LTLiyLrK8yr374Z_/s4032/IMG_8331.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA1hbnZOFYFx2RicK7_GZkfm9_6bpIKYWTByRpK6R1l5ZOLMMhThObUXvJNotVTy4lavYPfVxheZnrKtjod3W9z2ljoIoYXnnzVLaVuXCgsFsJONo5VLlpbIl579R2aBZ-wY444HjYnQNlVE2EAaT4vDVFc3AQhKZZGtn3f9ladP1LTLiyLrK8yr374Z_/s320/IMG_8331.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBy63PnaEmH07JMBy7L8kEn5swEqA8V0BOK0rAtUWb9kYt_JJ4o9XFQc8S3TWCEapSvrFdrs6KH0koqm2PLBNil2vTRTsduFeO2aqGhb0HIxrzPJhuBZIH9zxNr_lJL2hleHRhTe9NBasr1YqAuepSJFPrYyLQipPfcaFjQzWn4193k4xUBJlt5t5ccUd/s4032/IMG_8333.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBy63PnaEmH07JMBy7L8kEn5swEqA8V0BOK0rAtUWb9kYt_JJ4o9XFQc8S3TWCEapSvrFdrs6KH0koqm2PLBNil2vTRTsduFeO2aqGhb0HIxrzPJhuBZIH9zxNr_lJL2hleHRhTe9NBasr1YqAuepSJFPrYyLQipPfcaFjQzWn4193k4xUBJlt5t5ccUd/s320/IMG_8333.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Onwards then to the pleasure grounds. Till this point we'd been relatively sheltered but there's an exposed path leading from the house to the gardens, and at this point the rain decided to bucket down. Under the trees though it was calmer, and there are several spots, like inside the orangery, where you can get dry again. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImSnyUj5ogvLcpZEA2fbcGwqcmmEzui1WZCQXIJ8kdoJqUKFAon3F9_sVLhNwLMkPqTe02rTcGI_-2HPFKluDVEtI-efuvB1VIN4V3wSk29dc26bE4YQU_0-_MZCcKdIqlfMYPMopnFZCnZYtfKpesLVJGfFLL8q5wPqr9oit-redem54RihR4UWDwYxL/s4032/IMG_8334.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImSnyUj5ogvLcpZEA2fbcGwqcmmEzui1WZCQXIJ8kdoJqUKFAon3F9_sVLhNwLMkPqTe02rTcGI_-2HPFKluDVEtI-efuvB1VIN4V3wSk29dc26bE4YQU_0-_MZCcKdIqlfMYPMopnFZCnZYtfKpesLVJGfFLL8q5wPqr9oit-redem54RihR4UWDwYxL/w400-h300/IMG_8334.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAjILVUO6DS7kUhJWYbhZfe7RPXenD-uOMV3-l-v-b6PPHC4O2KfbAVWVv-Fnjwm_1Am4njDyVPYl12GeWCSfDapPQ6fAE7O7GBIwQiWnF-MIoMEH56OjZjUlMgcNo7e2EUK0hn2VNsQWw7SK-fhUqAsGFQLKQC-v9ATpqqkeX5pf2N4G8QLyZL0jaeNB/s4032/IMG_8337.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAjILVUO6DS7kUhJWYbhZfe7RPXenD-uOMV3-l-v-b6PPHC4O2KfbAVWVv-Fnjwm_1Am4njDyVPYl12GeWCSfDapPQ6fAE7O7GBIwQiWnF-MIoMEH56OjZjUlMgcNo7e2EUK0hn2VNsQWw7SK-fhUqAsGFQLKQC-v9ATpqqkeX5pf2N4G8QLyZL0jaeNB/w150-h200/IMG_8337.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>Then it was time to head back for tea and cake - always the best end to a short walk.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-49850271671313454952023-12-23T20:03:00.002+00:002023-12-23T20:03:54.153+00:00Wintertide at Hardwick<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbjogJeHTkoo2Zp_uTjL4D_vgj5ywBJ2B7fL_5JLYr7isRPHh1TwNRaBaPYSurGUsG6hpS19wxqLYisytPd94_RnVRCf6J1v-jD8-Z-LxDnF_STnCkmjZgSXJTUf1VfIQm61_QZtIkMOIbJbB5B-W_3BuW8Z7fcQ6wAOnaYnR5piftGNxUKHBCquNxM4m/s4032/IMG_8243.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbjogJeHTkoo2Zp_uTjL4D_vgj5ywBJ2B7fL_5JLYr7isRPHh1TwNRaBaPYSurGUsG6hpS19wxqLYisytPd94_RnVRCf6J1v-jD8-Z-LxDnF_STnCkmjZgSXJTUf1VfIQm61_QZtIkMOIbJbB5B-W_3BuW8Z7fcQ6wAOnaYnR5piftGNxUKHBCquNxM4m/w400-h300/IMG_8243.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkrCRWrXn30I18Nr4-DnSwKXn2dJRk5QjUCEVTjIGWwNCqZP1ljFk5XweP0JYHDBYnIgnym5a-UXGMQe0vFu_VL3GTjipSMuaWVmik9eL32hyrg6tp_zBdIvukj41Lp9uF57DKMeK5av5TCM_tU7yeyrtuaNXSO9GkGGeoF7FHqyheb9cneKN_ywL3Pi_/s4032/IMG_8255.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkrCRWrXn30I18Nr4-DnSwKXn2dJRk5QjUCEVTjIGWwNCqZP1ljFk5XweP0JYHDBYnIgnym5a-UXGMQe0vFu_VL3GTjipSMuaWVmik9eL32hyrg6tp_zBdIvukj41Lp9uF57DKMeK5av5TCM_tU7yeyrtuaNXSO9GkGGeoF7FHqyheb9cneKN_ywL3Pi_/s320/IMG_8255.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>This year's Christmas decorations at Hardwick Hall draw on the house's Tudor origins, welcoming weary travellers with light and warmth (or at least the representation of blazing yule logs).</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu-MsRQztBa59j3Q7dqi5reIo0GmfhYYJBAWfvRk-0vtvXY10bcJmV3KFrTOUqmOi4NhRnuIGBS88E12hR-Iy22VwwiUQUqAWeQ49AjxqE5rNSHCibaAvczi6iXuUDLXhHseNrW8njkk_pMJoyj2uM9vPMKekfuQ1mwOtcZWSXWSxVZTFVhYWsta2DSh2/s4032/IMG_8248.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu-MsRQztBa59j3Q7dqi5reIo0GmfhYYJBAWfvRk-0vtvXY10bcJmV3KFrTOUqmOi4NhRnuIGBS88E12hR-Iy22VwwiUQUqAWeQ49AjxqE5rNSHCibaAvczi6iXuUDLXhHseNrW8njkk_pMJoyj2uM9vPMKekfuQ1mwOtcZWSXWSxVZTFVhYWsta2DSh2/s320/IMG_8248.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Carrying your own lantern through the dimly lit house, the visitor climbs the main staircase, past a hillside village of cardboard houses to the great state rooms where a portrait of Elizabeth I awaits her guests.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nmunNV_EYlkSPrPgNT-CjWZ2p0JUsau5y6GNSDfyGEL7AhoVsk7osLVcEyw51jGFClPgP3l0MBvu6fhyC0MrG4GCXaEkMEtq37MvSIKXjJHevZsgaBGYZyqlx77NN5YiFIbmNX6kVbIl_lnO7tvRLLuNYSC053ZCSCCZYt6c6-6ODqVoSY1xIVnakNL9/s4032/IMG_8250.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nmunNV_EYlkSPrPgNT-CjWZ2p0JUsau5y6GNSDfyGEL7AhoVsk7osLVcEyw51jGFClPgP3l0MBvu6fhyC0MrG4GCXaEkMEtq37MvSIKXjJHevZsgaBGYZyqlx77NN5YiFIbmNX6kVbIl_lnO7tvRLLuNYSC053ZCSCCZYt6c6-6ODqVoSY1xIVnakNL9/s320/IMG_8250.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLH__FBh0TKAv4Iv-MJ4FF1Buhh7oXq7CJyCESUCOsswWA0l84v4JQoCd5JEVVWoDNiVnVFfc3msZeJsL8F1ofiCwb81bhyphenhyphenC011PX6AzgQUaBklJLC_vfpP6NXjjZDNPOE-LIXKTyr6k5TzIBkS9D9v-yaj3C7GDOoXCCiC4Uhjtoo5LYFxQEvV7bzmLg/s4032/IMG_8251.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLH__FBh0TKAv4Iv-MJ4FF1Buhh7oXq7CJyCESUCOsswWA0l84v4JQoCd5JEVVWoDNiVnVFfc3msZeJsL8F1ofiCwb81bhyphenhyphenC011PX6AzgQUaBklJLC_vfpP6NXjjZDNPOE-LIXKTyr6k5TzIBkS9D9v-yaj3C7GDOoXCCiC4Uhjtoo5LYFxQEvV7bzmLg/s320/IMG_8251.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbVaRleAxztx6jMyBkE_2_ICeU6LD5AYBPfGlNFFRFYJbX28RKkWLdKYm3hdoRgJSfmNe1WNcNid375Z5s5uPsYEa1LqCc7aIgQ-hLxJbLH5dlzLlVRc_RRGUSGx8xTipDl5HUIjB94rDl6ciZ7PXTljkLs_6afBi8m8EKc-ilRY3iiyIyhpVUP3zJ6ux/s4032/IMG_8253.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbVaRleAxztx6jMyBkE_2_ICeU6LD5AYBPfGlNFFRFYJbX28RKkWLdKYm3hdoRgJSfmNe1WNcNid375Z5s5uPsYEa1LqCc7aIgQ-hLxJbLH5dlzLlVRc_RRGUSGx8xTipDl5HUIjB94rDl6ciZ7PXTljkLs_6afBi8m8EKc-ilRY3iiyIyhpVUP3zJ6ux/s320/IMG_8253.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The huge fireplaces are filled with twinkling lights to represent the massive yule logs which would have burned turned.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC2jgO3mXVtZRbccu_z8_-eoxHPyKZaW6N5BT6evgJUtaY_ekrgsbD2Lc8AoUz8rMoIcGpVMruaBmvihzpP4JBD3sbR4t0u28xeiLg1ucA4DObxQ0DsIIei7E7DTeJTmfQ3t7aRhwfND5kNXfS9cIbLqFqGZVahzU6KgE4j8nQavDgV7ynoM67NuFBp35/s4032/IMG_8252.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC2jgO3mXVtZRbccu_z8_-eoxHPyKZaW6N5BT6evgJUtaY_ekrgsbD2Lc8AoUz8rMoIcGpVMruaBmvihzpP4JBD3sbR4t0u28xeiLg1ucA4DObxQ0DsIIei7E7DTeJTmfQ3t7aRhwfND5kNXfS9cIbLqFqGZVahzU6KgE4j8nQavDgV7ynoM67NuFBp35/s320/IMG_8252.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Visitors are encouraged to share their memories of the past year, and wishes for the coming one - through notes or by adding ribbons to this great Yule log.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMmxzT3MfxdDfr7cQVMSSrHWS2tk0Ewigm1qX9jUV9wNvBX2Ht6n0CvpvimQ6icm-EZ1JfoHfC-n8xO3zUgAYGPynIoqqcTW5Qf68x0TvO3804zm_yxEUxe3lI1rem_C6alZeKCrWByJ7cVuh-YPlHfIp6XLnY7A0QxvtkHul-leqhdFRVBhGmtzroyFY/s4032/IMG_8254.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMmxzT3MfxdDfr7cQVMSSrHWS2tk0Ewigm1qX9jUV9wNvBX2Ht6n0CvpvimQ6icm-EZ1JfoHfC-n8xO3zUgAYGPynIoqqcTW5Qf68x0TvO3804zm_yxEUxe3lI1rem_C6alZeKCrWByJ7cVuh-YPlHfIp6XLnY7A0QxvtkHul-leqhdFRVBhGmtzroyFY/s320/IMG_8254.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>The Lord of Misrule wasn't there for our mid-week visit but in Tudor times he would have been in charge of revelry and partying during the Christmas feast. There were shadow puppets to play with, and a selection of games.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrQja4s3LzGq7jo5gQqtqlGp_iUmn_HIQYmrPEsFGgabtDneBf4NfeGnMCAT3kXP_RSSr4kV3mI_gjExtbAXB0DQkcl-2Vk9gq74TF5AQ0rbDpF_KRlpCWV6ZD_RR1POsAHcM8VrZCwmAT06_khRee4uxEB9N2M-XYwzX9md2wmszewBIg8EouVnWhO6Z/s4032/IMG_8257.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrQja4s3LzGq7jo5gQqtqlGp_iUmn_HIQYmrPEsFGgabtDneBf4NfeGnMCAT3kXP_RSSr4kV3mI_gjExtbAXB0DQkcl-2Vk9gq74TF5AQ0rbDpF_KRlpCWV6ZD_RR1POsAHcM8VrZCwmAT06_khRee4uxEB9N2M-XYwzX9md2wmszewBIg8EouVnWhO6Z/w150-h200/IMG_8257.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>In the kitchen, preparation of mulled wine was underway.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAhYXzch-SeD55wMYi3jOTGfdCjIX-3HoBR1ZS82miqoXScG7TjO6ocjJ_ZbkJ530COGnkuqBvG8pv0rf3ZvIhsLISexHlBnAjDLA_E-J6Rl50kGPeYOXZTznbuGKogf5aDE-ijMcY8OOIS2x5U4gK1vEkPsMn2jNtxcKj-dSx_6ClAuclAQK-kuYTIzQ/s4032/IMG_8259.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAhYXzch-SeD55wMYi3jOTGfdCjIX-3HoBR1ZS82miqoXScG7TjO6ocjJ_ZbkJ530COGnkuqBvG8pv0rf3ZvIhsLISexHlBnAjDLA_E-J6Rl50kGPeYOXZTznbuGKogf5aDE-ijMcY8OOIS2x5U4gK1vEkPsMn2jNtxcKj-dSx_6ClAuclAQK-kuYTIzQ/s320/IMG_8259.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Back outside, the sun had appeared, so e walked around the gardens and found a summerhouse where typical Tudor garlands and a kissing bough were being made of foliage found on the estate.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18if-xFSfg6XICyIpqib86gF3qcmwqkwY_8Zku3I1R2vvqQn8rU1-fwCZ2EU88-qUKGyWAYhdUzMGXPHPzYLGxyJjmc7kGy6D9jVmR3hHYtffoSGWbv-UTB3xbN5Jq91Hc9DAZ7qxzPv_53kZxhTXGSgt7FDMS46xHTJkMj5eG8LNatfzV9OXeYFKiMDG/s4032/IMG_8261.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18if-xFSfg6XICyIpqib86gF3qcmwqkwY_8Zku3I1R2vvqQn8rU1-fwCZ2EU88-qUKGyWAYhdUzMGXPHPzYLGxyJjmc7kGy6D9jVmR3hHYtffoSGWbv-UTB3xbN5Jq91Hc9DAZ7qxzPv_53kZxhTXGSgt7FDMS46xHTJkMj5eG8LNatfzV9OXeYFKiMDG/s320/IMG_8261.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yLIQCVxt814g-80eo8tMNhVXTT6iyrTqdSiLTYbmNKOS9et6hLeX1vrU8QhkYSP_HNNd88bW86Nw1Gt6emftLJykdLsA4qfkC8SjqD9KZntKxSCKx7fcV5qXjm-zx5VFCQd56Lx_u-lsgis6Z6uk6nisdL1SkT5tSD8HYtxhnKSnfT9fx9vY48V0iqVR/s4032/IMG_8263.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yLIQCVxt814g-80eo8tMNhVXTT6iyrTqdSiLTYbmNKOS9et6hLeX1vrU8QhkYSP_HNNd88bW86Nw1Gt6emftLJykdLsA4qfkC8SjqD9KZntKxSCKx7fcV5qXjm-zx5VFCQd56Lx_u-lsgis6Z6uk6nisdL1SkT5tSD8HYtxhnKSnfT9fx9vY48V0iqVR/s320/IMG_8263.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I now feel really inspire to try something similar with greenery from my garden<p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-14686677881815440622023-12-17T11:44:00.003+00:002023-12-18T10:32:43.573+00:00Getting into the Christmas mood at Kedleston<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AXWQ4O_aBhiTnhKvXvdER07fq8AjrZphwuY7vphr_Zf5chzZuGivnSci_Ex7uzxRW8PtJgtvstCLUT8RyUU2qb0hq8l-LJs7Uz6OHkS3djPIOZUkxgISLEmpAmklvFeZ__kVVlvBhmU_uj6XceAyMLIIHlvYd5YfcIyPUMS-YS9ti-AshHmTKJP0QWpi/s4032/IMG_8191.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AXWQ4O_aBhiTnhKvXvdER07fq8AjrZphwuY7vphr_Zf5chzZuGivnSci_Ex7uzxRW8PtJgtvstCLUT8RyUU2qb0hq8l-LJs7Uz6OHkS3djPIOZUkxgISLEmpAmklvFeZ__kVVlvBhmU_uj6XceAyMLIIHlvYd5YfcIyPUMS-YS9ti-AshHmTKJP0QWpi/s320/IMG_8191.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When you no longer have school-age children, if you keep clear of the big shopping malls and watch advert-free streaming services (as I do these days), it's actually quite easy to not notice Christmas sneaking up, so I always try to make a point of visiting local stately homes that are decorated for the season - starting the season at Kedleston Hall.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eYPGkb4Ob06E5rtjryv0zsthgsV77YSVv1my3WUgToh0XgkB-Y9MAQjyGNS9fyPaUdDmb4DOznyav8GYZYjB2fcugrXslXhkl1DxdvDEPzDJpQAblc9MIZz4LhqJoieUG7WEBXtgwphwrS4F35sKuA7dgtMR5hqSma9OQFQJyGnDxeBtUVlT-T0DDA4V/s4032/IMG_8193.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eYPGkb4Ob06E5rtjryv0zsthgsV77YSVv1my3WUgToh0XgkB-Y9MAQjyGNS9fyPaUdDmb4DOznyav8GYZYjB2fcugrXslXhkl1DxdvDEPzDJpQAblc9MIZz4LhqJoieUG7WEBXtgwphwrS4F35sKuA7dgtMR5hqSma9OQFQJyGnDxeBtUVlT-T0DDA4V/w300-h400/IMG_8193.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyKl24HtH2GJJljpZ1opa1F5W1HTjMa1yW3Z50yzpjqwvZJDVZg3qwFFTm1JfhX_tWnckxbXmm4_o8LMXlnVgxJFDgKW9_EDLqPaXzZ4XHFuVxYv7lV8w2LDdZqfVKWJOZe6U_5LBOIsx_4rBnCpJw4drQMrq66Vmfr-fvzqqXHpIG2Np8jreIckF4uXL/s4032/IMG_8196.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyKl24HtH2GJJljpZ1opa1F5W1HTjMa1yW3Z50yzpjqwvZJDVZg3qwFFTm1JfhX_tWnckxbXmm4_o8LMXlnVgxJFDgKW9_EDLqPaXzZ4XHFuVxYv7lV8w2LDdZqfVKWJOZe6U_5LBOIsx_4rBnCpJw4drQMrq66Vmfr-fvzqqXHpIG2Np8jreIckF4uXL/s320/IMG_8196.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><br />This isn't a huge display but rather one which reflects how the hall might have been decorated when still lived in.<div>Each room has a Christmas tree with presents piled beneath; some have baubles in colours to match the room's decor - some have angels and stars made from paper.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAsSCvPqJ89Dr2i6TpO8-jP4DPxPS_1xlM0sHMAIu4CJuOGSpsNdMKp_jgMaZepoT1nBUtUthIkbttzrZJOR9LYUZQ9ZhRlIj27Bn_UxE3DbM4TysocGKmQ4uGbUnsDtZapzWxw_ZzbyNh6QNy_D9gVgB61CPuM_wMbpS60oEICizlRxekC758Tevni5R/s4032/IMG_8197.JPEG" style="clear: left; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi932KLJWb1NQSNNbb5xdW1zVZHA182E165YbICVm1WrOk_Lw9Gl_F_gmqOH4ZSS-hnyRPrf-tGmKpCO3S5j2zHBnm_9PLrkqowt8JnnQ41K0vZLAAMIEgjLlhgNAOfKF2nPA9s4Hiw4davyk6cSTdguRE7z21vOeWxpTosJLawNDLQHMcCdjxXVVTy7uPh/s4032/IMG_8208.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi932KLJWb1NQSNNbb5xdW1zVZHA182E165YbICVm1WrOk_Lw9Gl_F_gmqOH4ZSS-hnyRPrf-tGmKpCO3S5j2zHBnm_9PLrkqowt8JnnQ41K0vZLAAMIEgjLlhgNAOfKF2nPA9s4Hiw4davyk6cSTdguRE7z21vOeWxpTosJLawNDLQHMcCdjxXVVTy7uPh/s320/IMG_8208.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpCnjxzYT7hXNCi8zA9C7Ob1-dfh_0G-aF74mre7gB5oh9zcgKUIeGI0w3iD1RaMDH5EhoURGFYIcb6wt0LJf-1gg4m7ak4neSTxaxTV2o8QNOUVa1FiXR0UnxWTXQyfJ-DjK3kgYb1xVSxRrauVrpRh5x6IFHgalJ0ebXfNSyyWDr5IbnkDkC_zwOv9P/s4032/IMG_8213.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpCnjxzYT7hXNCi8zA9C7Ob1-dfh_0G-aF74mre7gB5oh9zcgKUIeGI0w3iD1RaMDH5EhoURGFYIcb6wt0LJf-1gg4m7ak4neSTxaxTV2o8QNOUVa1FiXR0UnxWTXQyfJ-DjK3kgYb1xVSxRrauVrpRh5x6IFHgalJ0ebXfNSyyWDr5IbnkDkC_zwOv9P/w150-h200/IMG_8213.JPEG" width="150" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJ0fikNTmL5FywP9ZswH2jN1Tj83LKEwSXYGurnDz_w3xaMeSC7kQ7gsHA5Bi3wvx1rHFcUSblXcOPgLY5o5f1uWUYo4f89bpa-YEimheqR9PDECdunkE6z4cnH22bDcWBO8qeYyGVMHLlH4X9o1hyphenhyphenbP-wajyo3sr2GMKDqY7fAUIBJETc5ZusjBAofoo/s4032/IMG_8221.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJ0fikNTmL5FywP9ZswH2jN1Tj83LKEwSXYGurnDz_w3xaMeSC7kQ7gsHA5Bi3wvx1rHFcUSblXcOPgLY5o5f1uWUYo4f89bpa-YEimheqR9PDECdunkE6z4cnH22bDcWBO8qeYyGVMHLlH4X9o1hyphenhyphenbP-wajyo3sr2GMKDqY7fAUIBJETc5ZusjBAofoo/s320/IMG_8221.JPEG" width="240" /></a>Outside, we headed up the Short Walk to follow the Advent Trail - twenty four little houses whose doors open on to Christmassy mini-activities; counting stars, singing Christmas songs etc. Great fun for children!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxZmoLTTn_FTtd4AzbUHc3NGQRnmMWaI-Wz_rtpCNC7W_5QEkMmLc8B91aKlQq1vYcyRrlfpYL12d0Mp_oOkABByR8-K7OFO2ZFqKiDDPgM10Q0yCBrh3vzSzIPCD6mXB-OAyk9EBgAOZ1G2ZmPpPJlJBDH7Njvk6yw5mBHNjkE21QCb92kgARakXNItB/s4032/IMG_8215.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxZmoLTTn_FTtd4AzbUHc3NGQRnmMWaI-Wz_rtpCNC7W_5QEkMmLc8B91aKlQq1vYcyRrlfpYL12d0Mp_oOkABByR8-K7OFO2ZFqKiDDPgM10Q0yCBrh3vzSzIPCD6mXB-OAyk9EBgAOZ1G2ZmPpPJlJBDH7Njvk6yw5mBHNjkE21QCb92kgARakXNItB/w150-h200/IMG_8215.JPEG" width="150" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yAHGm6aDwiyG8kP8Qc6h4jGyaD-kO32LHKL3YvcX7Y2Y5m2y5Hi3Ii8hXQUtJhwe555ekXugzUL9i8DkBykGcov0EXznyy9-IqHUXPpKOlp2MheodcVecn4HxoYUdKEYtbcS4cmiudvCNqigoH8Xy7572c7RJoX5vn5Ig6ycqmlwgqtcH7333H-x8MuS/s4032/IMG_8211.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yAHGm6aDwiyG8kP8Qc6h4jGyaD-kO32LHKL3YvcX7Y2Y5m2y5Hi3Ii8hXQUtJhwe555ekXugzUL9i8DkBykGcov0EXznyy9-IqHUXPpKOlp2MheodcVecn4HxoYUdKEYtbcS4cmiudvCNqigoH8Xy7572c7RJoX5vn5Ig6ycqmlwgqtcH7333H-x8MuS/w150-h200/IMG_8211.JPEG" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJlekzHW3D5KzKQehGrLn6H4Ighq4ukYbFKpQ-UVZgYNNnHGeTJ7el6QHlNsIfecwv6jT7gRXdVe0OWQt9D8XM433MiidhG5Z4X78s00dubIExzCmQCD8CuEcG2JcvgIMcQ85RediPmiv8inG4Q3THLuQ_OuSwO0ZU2ah8itgYAC0fduNz3181Kvu6KVq/s4032/IMG_8212.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJlekzHW3D5KzKQehGrLn6H4Ighq4ukYbFKpQ-UVZgYNNnHGeTJ7el6QHlNsIfecwv6jT7gRXdVe0OWQt9D8XM433MiidhG5Z4X78s00dubIExzCmQCD8CuEcG2JcvgIMcQ85RediPmiv8inG4Q3THLuQ_OuSwO0ZU2ah8itgYAC0fduNz3181Kvu6KVq/w400-h300/IMG_8212.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It wasn't as cold as <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2022/12/advent-trail-and-frozen-lakes-at.html" target="_blank">on last year's visit</a>, when the lakes were frozen, but, late in the afternoon with the sun dropping behind the hill, it was still chilly. A trail like this, though, with numbered boxes to be found and surprises inside each, is a good way to encourage children, and adults, to get outside if only for a short while.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxngKWoBRyfC4y4sj-vqzF6vO5yKpNgNz3PiuUyWlrMpYmT3dxrF6zOyyy7-5M1NCoL40gnovS7_sfjFcasApyrWULuxTMaHT5nXqpwQH4ooMZ8JBvKHsHyBB2SF_7bnm4p8x0pCXRz7gxxD95b4maMBATnCQPIwntIxlk1qisK1M9Li2a46XHteG8cwq/s4032/IMG_8218.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxngKWoBRyfC4y4sj-vqzF6vO5yKpNgNz3PiuUyWlrMpYmT3dxrF6zOyyy7-5M1NCoL40gnovS7_sfjFcasApyrWULuxTMaHT5nXqpwQH4ooMZ8JBvKHsHyBB2SF_7bnm4p8x0pCXRz7gxxD95b4maMBATnCQPIwntIxlk1qisK1M9Li2a46XHteG8cwq/s320/IMG_8218.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy8IVvr8WfTPTaAZbDO7MluUVpTDyTmAJeefAmaMYko4zwkHjaZSuZhao7NP_oQPAgbJ8YKuJKGqgFybEbfWUBbYqtEqWB7TajKzNwKpUgj_pqJapKkkvZbUzNK_U4qJzwn88AHcHubdBClyrImrcoS0VLSplER1YxGYjAQuBHHKxVT1FN6b5WaoBSdRS/s4032/IMG_8225.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy8IVvr8WfTPTaAZbDO7MluUVpTDyTmAJeefAmaMYko4zwkHjaZSuZhao7NP_oQPAgbJ8YKuJKGqgFybEbfWUBbYqtEqWB7TajKzNwKpUgj_pqJapKkkvZbUzNK_U4qJzwn88AHcHubdBClyrImrcoS0VLSplER1YxGYjAQuBHHKxVT1FN6b5WaoBSdRS/s320/IMG_8225.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuECl0OfD4kmlI44USA1iXGqhyB4UX7jphDf9W7QmpkulBBLCK3Zp1-tqQDT4gvk4PhURd70FeRV6s-ZhJ_nzkK6OTXeLsu25m_KD7q-B99n7zUxppjDZSZUAOWJi_2PrjCxgi8Vc7qi1PADJQD1o8BZrTgeqvbtAgY32boOa8pQRY-06n_rAh6SaipOH/s4032/IMG_8227.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuECl0OfD4kmlI44USA1iXGqhyB4UX7jphDf9W7QmpkulBBLCK3Zp1-tqQDT4gvk4PhURd70FeRV6s-ZhJ_nzkK6OTXeLsu25m_KD7q-B99n7zUxppjDZSZUAOWJi_2PrjCxgi8Vc7qi1PADJQD1o8BZrTgeqvbtAgY32boOa8pQRY-06n_rAh6SaipOH/s320/IMG_8227.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R3237t7N1Y8SDhohl_sGd-FZEkrVM_0cTXxvotIignpTX7VGymMW119O7al9blLze1XziIVQkRrqusuFuqH4AEDd__w5FQuYm1iKduyziBB8Z7tL5yZRkWsUp_gVM8BZYw0eqKC6jYXXTMVJztO2Jmez99dLNBJEsXNPZ5PS0VKLaV9LFIDs-pg7MQU4/s4032/IMG_8228.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R3237t7N1Y8SDhohl_sGd-FZEkrVM_0cTXxvotIignpTX7VGymMW119O7al9blLze1XziIVQkRrqusuFuqH4AEDd__w5FQuYm1iKduyziBB8Z7tL5yZRkWsUp_gVM8BZYw0eqKC6jYXXTMVJztO2Jmez99dLNBJEsXNPZ5PS0VKLaV9LFIDs-pg7MQU4/s320/IMG_8228.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMluOUbDniL_JRP-kbg1oWOXYSMQH_upDzBAHhyphenhyphen6QY8JqOTyC1W5BtdPgiiQleAOowzHOH5jMHSSRUicC3FJ5xPocmmdM5k_32Lx18Fgm0r-cIp41FkeD34RPql38rPM9r_Mf7kPSkNvIAEhqkaDOTHYPiioX5RDwxb52TQs29vL1Rl5yt0JWJJrDkW_e/s4032/IMG_8230.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMluOUbDniL_JRP-kbg1oWOXYSMQH_upDzBAHhyphenhyphen6QY8JqOTyC1W5BtdPgiiQleAOowzHOH5jMHSSRUicC3FJ5xPocmmdM5k_32Lx18Fgm0r-cIp41FkeD34RPql38rPM9r_Mf7kPSkNvIAEhqkaDOTHYPiioX5RDwxb52TQs29vL1Rl5yt0JWJJrDkW_e/w400-h300/IMG_8230.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-67607658581949330022023-12-13T10:50:00.007+00:002023-12-15T20:05:12.830+00:00Frost and snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iXCkr3hgVmZm2X_cvrNjdqUMRDFg4BJI0v2DaPxa5VQ2Oyd0c68MDunAP-F3V39UC26xpAMZwnacv_2Qh44iPvgTVdEngBBGVwldYTJFSQRT8IuRSOQbwpKy_TrAJ8uXg9_HMrPRtUPQBQfdFpFdCSYcbjhKPq-687XkqATnMxgJ9FfBUatzoc4idape/s4032/IMG_8132.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iXCkr3hgVmZm2X_cvrNjdqUMRDFg4BJI0v2DaPxa5VQ2Oyd0c68MDunAP-F3V39UC26xpAMZwnacv_2Qh44iPvgTVdEngBBGVwldYTJFSQRT8IuRSOQbwpKy_TrAJ8uXg9_HMrPRtUPQBQfdFpFdCSYcbjhKPq-687XkqATnMxgJ9FfBUatzoc4idape/s320/IMG_8132.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKbu2QLGR7Sb0wtiO8icZri43abs3U2zVSlQAp4fr_xKISTusbp9FaDx4qn5MD9zh0AuLrxfw8o41gGJxeAcT02Z9maOvYrZn_9FqGSjpWjIK5QOAcxmB6Dz8BP_ps6-zwBL6fPeQ8Jx6lhyYW2APtINq9wNqZQYHOmjCh1gFbRhEcUoDJzEYRLAxOLr2/s4032/IMG_8129.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKbu2QLGR7Sb0wtiO8icZri43abs3U2zVSlQAp4fr_xKISTusbp9FaDx4qn5MD9zh0AuLrxfw8o41gGJxeAcT02Z9maOvYrZn_9FqGSjpWjIK5QOAcxmB6Dz8BP_ps6-zwBL6fPeQ8Jx6lhyYW2APtINq9wNqZQYHOmjCh1gFbRhEcUoDJzEYRLAxOLr2/s320/IMG_8129.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div><span style="text-align: center;"><p><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></p>December arrived with cold temperatures and hoar frost, crystals growing out from leaves, transforming mundane plants into things of beauty.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBLb2x2qfw3sHBXNZI8WER_7nBPnqSfCm9vFHbmsPQeX7rJBGJRZtiLJXfMzvUKgR0faM4GdnT6z9uZqdzSbr1p4MKv1Y7Xv_1vAXlRbiaCd6AbV64DDxUD-rdZ2KEe_HSNpzjOJycMW8LqCa9REIt6z6ahbSG23GBG6S4K2BxiOFyY3a0t20e8fPgb1z/s4032/IMG_8134.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBLb2x2qfw3sHBXNZI8WER_7nBPnqSfCm9vFHbmsPQeX7rJBGJRZtiLJXfMzvUKgR0faM4GdnT6z9uZqdzSbr1p4MKv1Y7Xv_1vAXlRbiaCd6AbV64DDxUD-rdZ2KEe_HSNpzjOJycMW8LqCa9REIt6z6ahbSG23GBG6S4K2BxiOFyY3a0t20e8fPgb1z/s320/IMG_8134.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqCMOl9qweHud-M62UTZ5Bsj-dWzg4unQJOlM7ZHkuNwsWMt9pG9bjLSpaPqK2rcHHZF95EEKpcEGxpGBehEGDFqu-t7dtwPN82mPMHD869LArirawGtK3E375i3bQq3nRufNVChkZmbLMU8nLTteGpmfNK9okzHhYfYjtKpBgFLbEE5fygEgI42tz0fN/s4032/IMG_8137.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqCMOl9qweHud-M62UTZ5Bsj-dWzg4unQJOlM7ZHkuNwsWMt9pG9bjLSpaPqK2rcHHZF95EEKpcEGxpGBehEGDFqu-t7dtwPN82mPMHD869LArirawGtK3E375i3bQq3nRufNVChkZmbLMU8nLTteGpmfNK9okzHhYfYjtKpBgFLbEE5fygEgI42tz0fN/s320/IMG_8137.JPEG" width="240" /></a></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6CTzK0rfrryaaw43YzG_aNwsSCvGmp2L6UijQ5FRZAV-q4CvhPI-YEukkw-vKauhjFXiOhU2B9wXKTlg1ug312BGoA2HrSO6046hHzX6q72m4VrNFzfpZsaXYi23i1NqOKTOlqyIxE8oGgHzDixFlTwVi3edX81a_Ll1eONKe9u5HM4lFvjEeJN9vhgq/s4032/IMG_8136.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6CTzK0rfrryaaw43YzG_aNwsSCvGmp2L6UijQ5FRZAV-q4CvhPI-YEukkw-vKauhjFXiOhU2B9wXKTlg1ug312BGoA2HrSO6046hHzX6q72m4VrNFzfpZsaXYi23i1NqOKTOlqyIxE8oGgHzDixFlTwVi3edX81a_Ll1eONKe9u5HM4lFvjEeJN9vhgq/s320/IMG_8136.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDUCIB5e2uORtQ741Wr4ZyyPyaYq4DlTSkiOhQ75hT7_WuYl_tP61OS-0OlLv1Ibbp_GIKFqcZI9plP_riJ4jUPCASW16o29aYxfkoixbHn6MSQtMWD6kXd-UVqUJwCAO7q-g2WaC_cbaAyo5m1ORp-PETwHm_qZIU0CRiaaHl-AdcWVEorFo-JUsEp5u/s4032/IMG_8138.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDUCIB5e2uORtQ741Wr4ZyyPyaYq4DlTSkiOhQ75hT7_WuYl_tP61OS-0OlLv1Ibbp_GIKFqcZI9plP_riJ4jUPCASW16o29aYxfkoixbHn6MSQtMWD6kXd-UVqUJwCAO7q-g2WaC_cbaAyo5m1ORp-PETwHm_qZIU0CRiaaHl-AdcWVEorFo-JUsEp5u/s320/IMG_8138.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Even dead twigs took on new life.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRs3fpCUR6Sh5RR0pnOV4UO5wXpGb3LeYu0BtTMhqIjyRl0bM5vIpxivpr_dWNuEZPCh-Up8CScgjMx4xcsJ-tN3u6nMyF3rvQE-FncRAlwOXWxrHAbncABydsuhEHJXrJ3GlFU0Azx1SMDubntS81Z9XYPi6gzcl3zYYHLcO6_BhNTQckznMOP_sSuRyd/s4032/IMG_8139.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRs3fpCUR6Sh5RR0pnOV4UO5wXpGb3LeYu0BtTMhqIjyRl0bM5vIpxivpr_dWNuEZPCh-Up8CScgjMx4xcsJ-tN3u6nMyF3rvQE-FncRAlwOXWxrHAbncABydsuhEHJXrJ3GlFU0Azx1SMDubntS81Z9XYPi6gzcl3zYYHLcO6_BhNTQckznMOP_sSuRyd/s320/IMG_8139.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5r_1V1TIvZxvVm0JMCa1M9U98kG0aBWAX7WOdIaUsm8sjk1Zk-30yKx0U9FWDu_MigdhCgsjgRa6vHIJmTTETFePsV0-aQ2kiMyV88M0iuYKjukdtHlTOR9NgRZpMZavDyOfVhPN7OteoE6AlybYEXPiAq9P0NMwX9fWOQK8PvblUGSsldxpZsZIoeSx/s4032/IMG_8148.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5r_1V1TIvZxvVm0JMCa1M9U98kG0aBWAX7WOdIaUsm8sjk1Zk-30yKx0U9FWDu_MigdhCgsjgRa6vHIJmTTETFePsV0-aQ2kiMyV88M0iuYKjukdtHlTOR9NgRZpMZavDyOfVhPN7OteoE6AlybYEXPiAq9P0NMwX9fWOQK8PvblUGSsldxpZsZIoeSx/s320/IMG_8148.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>It wasn't a totally monochrome world though - here and there winter shrubs brought colour to the garden.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikfU1wfd0hqby5B5f8sChseYwVCqsRb-v2ZUFrZV5TgB4t-C-xVCWJbarLyk_QgPCMlZw7L_edOAi7xhpfZG0TGP3JBR-AHQCTcFASibnbWoDkA3vm2aJdB6VjmIdZObiajxd7Wo6REZO6IgOnC6awlr93vH3s_gEIBUBT1g2V27B8CpyIwYoUZGVE_b7/s4032/IMG_8157.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikfU1wfd0hqby5B5f8sChseYwVCqsRb-v2ZUFrZV5TgB4t-C-xVCWJbarLyk_QgPCMlZw7L_edOAi7xhpfZG0TGP3JBR-AHQCTcFASibnbWoDkA3vm2aJdB6VjmIdZObiajxd7Wo6REZO6IgOnC6awlr93vH3s_gEIBUBT1g2V27B8CpyIwYoUZGVE_b7/s320/IMG_8157.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> And before a thaw set in, snow fell. Not a lot, but enough to cover the world in white for a day.<p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-21534669952755264202023-12-08T19:48:00.001+00:002023-12-08T19:48:19.675+00:00Kedleston - Diwali and a Dead Parrot <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSXQlrzGPpxkh_oCgy0AgtRA2weuKCKIkdyS2EEG0W7Tp4LB2r-CFU3bfC0e8Wx-3KYiOJkuhov-zJxQ-CkDGgXdEbBhP_RaiUF2ayHh_isZZPCozIHJCoF4GflWPc5rdbfwqwz0e5IQi76W_I4fguk0GO26KW09PiG-tSQYgRE99hLTPv3SUeIgYBYw9/s4032/IMG_8023.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSXQlrzGPpxkh_oCgy0AgtRA2weuKCKIkdyS2EEG0W7Tp4LB2r-CFU3bfC0e8Wx-3KYiOJkuhov-zJxQ-CkDGgXdEbBhP_RaiUF2ayHh_isZZPCozIHJCoF4GflWPc5rdbfwqwz0e5IQi76W_I4fguk0GO26KW09PiG-tSQYgRE99hLTPv3SUeIgYBYw9/w400-h300/IMG_8023.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tYhOvVYULOq_xE1UhCjRGLi5w6HYyoo534lrhcwbc6CAg-f3xVsQE1A6y5kGHz1B3SE99721dmQGfP_DWFXv2F6m41qeQAmiFHdKGxqmezBRQG4VFbHYYtxOXFAqF2ZSSI0cnNt7-hgULH0q0Vnopj8-vW-yTY0aa3oznLOAD46l2cMkFTHxOAkZmJSL/s4032/IMG_8020.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1tYhOvVYULOq_xE1UhCjRGLi5w6HYyoo534lrhcwbc6CAg-f3xVsQE1A6y5kGHz1B3SE99721dmQGfP_DWFXv2F6m41qeQAmiFHdKGxqmezBRQG4VFbHYYtxOXFAqF2ZSSI0cnNt7-hgULH0q0Vnopj8-vW-yTY0aa3oznLOAD46l2cMkFTHxOAkZmJSL/w150-h200/IMG_8020.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kedleston Hall has an association with India dating back to when Lord Curzon was viceroy there (1899-1905), during which time he acquired many examples of exquisite Indian art - jewellery, finely carvings of wood or ivory, larger items of highly decorated furniture - which are now housed in the hall's museum. <div>In recent years the National Trust have acknowledged this relationship with displays at Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, when homes are decorated with rangoli, patterns made from flowers, and lit with rows of lights. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh50kbuoM2rHnND0YMV4Dk7Py8Utb6jP6BzOEuINWIq0HZxHeVpFmTYz7_pKFQL1NnT-lNPRqRW2PGDYsTwvTCDEi4c2cE-LXfBIpcg_YFkRK3b_k9QIU3Cbc7RoLmUGSVXzfwilFlhVoZAp9XZo3J6lTakU0Eyea-6UBXeeAmx8Gq7Butz2pnoQPuumz/s4032/IMG_8031.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh50kbuoM2rHnND0YMV4Dk7Py8Utb6jP6BzOEuINWIq0HZxHeVpFmTYz7_pKFQL1NnT-lNPRqRW2PGDYsTwvTCDEi4c2cE-LXfBIpcg_YFkRK3b_k9QIU3Cbc7RoLmUGSVXzfwilFlhVoZAp9XZo3J6lTakU0Eyea-6UBXeeAmx8Gq7Butz2pnoQPuumz/s320/IMG_8031.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZZhAa6Op_5bXLpJa9ZwpPNlXk9-qDf-VR3lYgiNR3fP2ptQwcLT764GEigq9VwbdvLKa4ktqq5qc6GmhkfUCL6F6OOKoN6kmaJYqokCnpH2UMg6tqEbopSBK2gRFqdZ3K6jwB20mQ-Unbf5KN_2gYhxXbMn2SA6bLeCYZH6Z1Yj-9Up6hi45rZiK7Wuq/s4032/IMG_8029.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZZhAa6Op_5bXLpJa9ZwpPNlXk9-qDf-VR3lYgiNR3fP2ptQwcLT764GEigq9VwbdvLKa4ktqq5qc6GmhkfUCL6F6OOKoN6kmaJYqokCnpH2UMg6tqEbopSBK2gRFqdZ3K6jwB20mQ-Unbf5KN_2gYhxXbMn2SA6bLeCYZH6Z1Yj-9Up6hi45rZiK7Wuq/w150-h200/IMG_8029.JPEG" width="150" /></a>The entrance hall ceiling was lit up with colourful patterns, and a trail led up the stairs to the grander rooms which were decorated. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_MIcMomKq7DT17wYYi2xyzCK1q-R1BWfgwK2cj-H50EoXJo8xCmx7gcR1fJQua1Vypj8ZF3ln2TJMnLBreDGBP3OVsWThGPVTcR3nNSYIDgHuHEKX6EUszmzNvhj9o8ln5STfznL0gH7bisOWztfaQDaDs0gM5lTo2mKKR_4p4PucsmEMsvrX1oUHvS/s4032/IMG_8027.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_MIcMomKq7DT17wYYi2xyzCK1q-R1BWfgwK2cj-H50EoXJo8xCmx7gcR1fJQua1Vypj8ZF3ln2TJMnLBreDGBP3OVsWThGPVTcR3nNSYIDgHuHEKX6EUszmzNvhj9o8ln5STfznL0gH7bisOWztfaQDaDs0gM5lTo2mKKR_4p4PucsmEMsvrX1oUHvS/s320/IMG_8027.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Marigolds with their bright colours are traditionally seen as symbols of life and light but with none flowering in the UK at this time of year, a little ingenuity was needed. So, with help from a community art co-operative near Kolkata, and volunteers from the local community, many of them had been crafted from plants and threads to create rangoli designs on the floors.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTRhBSnhi8zKIezGlRXSHuftdCoM90nRZkKq6-XXDaT1D5yPmJ4fYEXikeC8yagqKJ96_expDCXinSV35Vch1jaFtwat2E_GJrcUuRJimjv9FC0FGdoYIalxg3AG-K_GWa9MJ6ugP7seKRyuIF3Q9tdGLXvIYthPBsviYPbYHQJvN2s3H89N-5voqHqC/s4032/IMG_8034.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aTRhBSnhi8zKIezGlRXSHuftdCoM90nRZkKq6-XXDaT1D5yPmJ4fYEXikeC8yagqKJ96_expDCXinSV35Vch1jaFtwat2E_GJrcUuRJimjv9FC0FGdoYIalxg3AG-K_GWa9MJ6ugP7seKRyuIF3Q9tdGLXvIYthPBsviYPbYHQJvN2s3H89N-5voqHqC/s320/IMG_8034.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>I'd expected that viewing the decorated rooms would take longer so we had time to for a walk in the grounds.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH3dnk3ym9lewDgBVrqKcQnjtFlzuhLQUsI7_dYYEYAyad3WwH5J-jnwiVD1OC-UFTt4rYESyiEZzR1GwzRlpHPEMZ4g-CbQkl4Iup9HWhh4KICnmrr4AZuqpGuneLul6a1c1oOe3o7B9WIvXGi-lQiFjwvB7iUfYlpbXG-JkP4xEuOjDSglgXir22Xca/s4032/IMG_8038.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH3dnk3ym9lewDgBVrqKcQnjtFlzuhLQUsI7_dYYEYAyad3WwH5J-jnwiVD1OC-UFTt4rYESyiEZzR1GwzRlpHPEMZ4g-CbQkl4Iup9HWhh4KICnmrr4AZuqpGuneLul6a1c1oOe3o7B9WIvXGi-lQiFjwvB7iUfYlpbXG-JkP4xEuOjDSglgXir22Xca/s320/IMG_8038.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>The grass was still waterlogged from recent rain so we stayed on the drive, walking down to the bridge, then turned round and headed into the gardens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBLmPVhxusyeGIv0NMMY2UqrHFy1hoBkFsldSceCiPkVEamHDvXbqYoJJd9ILA6k4ab63No6LdWITWwCb4BAwMAy1Q6lhL046d7zDFVV-ZPCeI2s7gvilEg9sVxagy-UrCGYjSkPcf9y2HyHD11wpPKk4JWJPA2bXp_4f8ssxGhZMJbhg7w3DwWjE8T_H/s4032/IMG_8036.JPEG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBLmPVhxusyeGIv0NMMY2UqrHFy1hoBkFsldSceCiPkVEamHDvXbqYoJJd9ILA6k4ab63No6LdWITWwCb4BAwMAy1Q6lhL046d7zDFVV-ZPCeI2s7gvilEg9sVxagy-UrCGYjSkPcf9y2HyHD11wpPKk4JWJPA2bXp_4f8ssxGhZMJbhg7w3DwWjE8T_H/s320/IMG_8036.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92RlwypVCiT28CTM2ENhXwGAHcxe0iwj9g_Zn-Znevi0mOhSXR4JVr9C-ROEq0Xt88IMdumWIwHnYAuAkNRQ93gnFEg-7wGZ8XA1fnPw0Nvi25c7rk3CvWRoHR1L7KbGytXAJGXRNbPMFQIYnc9L8j4_d_TLN_LoYUaEug9rrF3_YL5n_tgStn4ojCRQK/s4032/IMG_8040.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92RlwypVCiT28CTM2ENhXwGAHcxe0iwj9g_Zn-Znevi0mOhSXR4JVr9C-ROEq0Xt88IMdumWIwHnYAuAkNRQ93gnFEg-7wGZ8XA1fnPw0Nvi25c7rk3CvWRoHR1L7KbGytXAJGXRNbPMFQIYnc9L8j4_d_TLN_LoYUaEug9rrF3_YL5n_tgStn4ojCRQK/s320/IMG_8040.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgdS5ZF8mohlrth7vEM1sRMIvYv-e_uzeFNjMSdie_33VQSIHZ5L-UWQG4rJmTys6bQsF1HzeWcx5Ojw80oWeBsxxnWiaKEpmbb51P7NHnvBS55WxlfsrAn5KvDiKQjTm9KR5tQ6uGaOpctqnNd4sDkLwyMDWBeRxGiYTSAg5hrdqywMsKHzeRD5rfsTB/s4032/IMG_8052.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgdS5ZF8mohlrth7vEM1sRMIvYv-e_uzeFNjMSdie_33VQSIHZ5L-UWQG4rJmTys6bQsF1HzeWcx5Ojw80oWeBsxxnWiaKEpmbb51P7NHnvBS55WxlfsrAn5KvDiKQjTm9KR5tQ6uGaOpctqnNd4sDkLwyMDWBeRxGiYTSAg5hrdqywMsKHzeRD5rfsTB/s320/IMG_8052.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The gardens though were, if anything, in a worse state than the lakeside grass but spotting that the church was open we decided to visit. Again this is a first - or if I have visited it was so long ago that I've forgotten.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As you'd expect there are a number of memorials to previous inhabitants of the hall but this early one really caught my attention<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ntVTbzOzcO1Yvwd6_yN9eGLOCM_yi0Z0W5ARyjIDAQkXYy1DP4A5wQLh-hR4_E2Yw43xvrPbnN2xbr7q7YtYwxvaMqs91mh9wEWwAqkr3IW5wjxXUlA1f6upY_rratEHxEhABLDC8gf6g4CEUUWYP24o64hKPabKAeqsWb6aOO6jkMWxvS1CQykeipxU/s4032/IMG_8046.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ntVTbzOzcO1Yvwd6_yN9eGLOCM_yi0Z0W5ARyjIDAQkXYy1DP4A5wQLh-hR4_E2Yw43xvrPbnN2xbr7q7YtYwxvaMqs91mh9wEWwAqkr3IW5wjxXUlA1f6upY_rratEHxEhABLDC8gf6g4CEUUWYP24o64hKPabKAeqsWb6aOO6jkMWxvS1CQykeipxU/s320/IMG_8046.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Sir John, who died in 1450, and his wife, Joan, - or at least their effigies - rest in peace with their dogs at their feet - and a bird on Sir John's shoulder.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyjkBrplb4RvXSNOalPY-MF1ggzWi41i3ONkx4A4Y7qaBCiptsxzHaS74ZXjs4AyR1qwS0Bl6ZmAKHNg6c5o89zjDrUZkEc0Cdlua6PkhesrgnqcROjdV_rZphuww3iOV7-NdMFvA2FrsoQAUxh_bMArSFf-JOxp_VdOVdz7deH6PZ1q33z8DAToGl5Ga/s4032/IMG_8047.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyjkBrplb4RvXSNOalPY-MF1ggzWi41i3ONkx4A4Y7qaBCiptsxzHaS74ZXjs4AyR1qwS0Bl6ZmAKHNg6c5o89zjDrUZkEc0Cdlua6PkhesrgnqcROjdV_rZphuww3iOV7-NdMFvA2FrsoQAUxh_bMArSFf-JOxp_VdOVdz7deH6PZ1q33z8DAToGl5Ga/w150-h200/IMG_8047.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7clVMJabgaBnMxLgPMUS5VnlyeUBrp8WyClR1dteKVuJYSHor1U2lXrpmLT2L3iipIzf3g9p6smFPd68zO5dNqcGsgrg3d4iukQ7iYFIL2R3wQI2UgKHWMesOdcai0yQHfDG9Cg4l_A6Jh2T5bWlIBRIl_82mU7g8XZJpEM9sT1Axz11qYVcaKAsHQqyD/s4032/IMG_8045.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7clVMJabgaBnMxLgPMUS5VnlyeUBrp8WyClR1dteKVuJYSHor1U2lXrpmLT2L3iipIzf3g9p6smFPd68zO5dNqcGsgrg3d4iukQ7iYFIL2R3wQI2UgKHWMesOdcai0yQHfDG9Cg4l_A6Jh2T5bWlIBRIl_82mU7g8XZJpEM9sT1Axz11qYVcaKAsHQqyD/w150-h200/IMG_8045.JPEG" width="150" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIr9_FcYyF5duLmTRqcRaUbcb3b8-98-BlOOx9r2vhLdYUJOvhgRXcookAiPv4N7eodO8rKEP3KU2hq91wlc1Bqq4dLpPPDwtwCYDpGQSUy0jw7HbLQUIFvvmyGkUzoX6rfzPSqQPfF2L-goIqP3Gw3MwQX0pXmAeB2Qog6NZViM7Szg0x9DfXDId14tG/s4032/IMG_8049.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIr9_FcYyF5duLmTRqcRaUbcb3b8-98-BlOOx9r2vhLdYUJOvhgRXcookAiPv4N7eodO8rKEP3KU2hq91wlc1Bqq4dLpPPDwtwCYDpGQSUy0jw7HbLQUIFvvmyGkUzoX6rfzPSqQPfF2L-goIqP3Gw3MwQX0pXmAeB2Qog6NZViM7Szg0x9DfXDId14tG/s320/IMG_8049.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div> Could it be a parrot? To be honest it looks more like a crow, but a parrot seems more romantic.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXJnjkKw0i26t9Sa5yROQPVS9yQmCPy5cyS6jWhuvG_Zu2vUqNuuiv2cMKnU_bJvOVfyuPjKwyyCGRZfRlB5yFw3VDDuKWlkZ44irSzZux7VGXbuFOQKYG6yhC5g-6of1dpEjfCSTlJAKLeCxI0O3ARiM9VlmSWCmW2pbU01LvcODCOefOSCS2dXz5OQy/s4032/IMG_8050.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXJnjkKw0i26t9Sa5yROQPVS9yQmCPy5cyS6jWhuvG_Zu2vUqNuuiv2cMKnU_bJvOVfyuPjKwyyCGRZfRlB5yFw3VDDuKWlkZ44irSzZux7VGXbuFOQKYG6yhC5g-6of1dpEjfCSTlJAKLeCxI0O3ARiM9VlmSWCmW2pbU01LvcODCOefOSCS2dXz5OQy/s320/IMG_8050.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-51006680181646627912023-11-22T11:51:00.000+00:002023-11-22T18:42:02.713+00:00A Slow Autumn<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX7RW9qEQwOvJpTdHL5wdzXCqzXepcSSpUEddfo7-MbxhShNS94H31Oblc7TSjRJyQHOhzkZ4teH6d2RNVZHv_XoyRfvd66vQaUKTkZQ2qktmm_B3yFOiojuBazRXC3UAw1maOnJDRt1qX5oDhYmlDGfTuOZv6leOkXFG-dR-fMOd3Be_-8y05zVzgYwf/s4032/IMG_7946.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX7RW9qEQwOvJpTdHL5wdzXCqzXepcSSpUEddfo7-MbxhShNS94H31Oblc7TSjRJyQHOhzkZ4teH6d2RNVZHv_XoyRfvd66vQaUKTkZQ2qktmm_B3yFOiojuBazRXC3UAw1maOnJDRt1qX5oDhYmlDGfTuOZv6leOkXFG-dR-fMOd3Be_-8y05zVzgYwf/s320/IMG_7946.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>I'd hoped to get away for another short break before winter really takes a grip but so far my plans have come to nothing.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK2JyGEyQajtP5qHeylhkBSubqY5zMFTPPD4DD6iza-ZgF1OO4mltaTN7dGsFEQVNO8Z43rl81t_7NIUgomrqcwJCE71I6aTz81An0oGiXH9WnY0Fs4F6k-AjdOHVCoQcps7PdRlHQVk99zEpINoYdoDonqd-7YyBa4kFzC-krY5QgN4aEWVJHETAhXem/s4032/IMG_7954.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK2JyGEyQajtP5qHeylhkBSubqY5zMFTPPD4DD6iza-ZgF1OO4mltaTN7dGsFEQVNO8Z43rl81t_7NIUgomrqcwJCE71I6aTz81An0oGiXH9WnY0Fs4F6k-AjdOHVCoQcps7PdRlHQVk99zEpINoYdoDonqd-7YyBa4kFzC-krY5QgN4aEWVJHETAhXem/w150-h200/IMG_7954.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>The end of October and early November brought in a series of storms and damp, windy weather, and although we weren't at risk of flooding or wind damage, nearby roads were closed and the countryside has generally felt too damp to be appealing. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu9tG2PTfBr0C13RZLqkge5T8DniJflPZDxF8-POvF87nxYSMyzczYiAcnbE3fgjNon0qMpYSdEey2geX-ruYHTsbCPIm_N2oYkdxkVp1QGqw8vR_V_T6pVGuXPhOut7PgkcOyZu19BufSgmmjF3epDASl8XVHVTJPqPn8uIIs0RfpWr_jbfDIeIsNGPZ/s4032/IMG_7960.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu9tG2PTfBr0C13RZLqkge5T8DniJflPZDxF8-POvF87nxYSMyzczYiAcnbE3fgjNon0qMpYSdEey2geX-ruYHTsbCPIm_N2oYkdxkVp1QGqw8vR_V_T6pVGuXPhOut7PgkcOyZu19BufSgmmjF3epDASl8XVHVTJPqPn8uIIs0RfpWr_jbfDIeIsNGPZ/w150-h200/IMG_7960.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>So I've spent time watching the garden leaves change colour or walking around the nearby park on good solid paths (though during the torrential rain even they turned to streams)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NEJOzUbE8lTy8RxyjQ5oHyDZ5I_FDoCyy2asNkVUJMNaQ1B-ee0zwZrlM5_rWnV0zlF6nfvDB3Mej00O_HWsG612H4CJ5mVaDP9qMk1jk-0G5ojNYKlJxUtD5pUtGPWOhq_BPuAJIlloDgfBXjU0khBWiyrx9-kouFcIJbeUeBt3ISFYcZnTLLmFVKdK/s4032/IMG_7962.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NEJOzUbE8lTy8RxyjQ5oHyDZ5I_FDoCyy2asNkVUJMNaQ1B-ee0zwZrlM5_rWnV0zlF6nfvDB3Mej00O_HWsG612H4CJ5mVaDP9qMk1jk-0G5ojNYKlJxUtD5pUtGPWOhq_BPuAJIlloDgfBXjU0khBWiyrx9-kouFcIJbeUeBt3ISFYcZnTLLmFVKdK/s320/IMG_7962.JPEG" width="240" /></a><p></p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98ld56cL9sInRNOpJRrm7711QetHoFTSZXv43kBOBS-u-D_aNUwN5AbFybRzWVzQQ95T6b3GNYK75F_rv-gmmDLL2anEhUUSFxTIexAn2WGwHsWSh3StZTVI-xj2Uvlg-7m6juPwirk44rdwQMyY8z4AIHqkm3ZUzfMOazvCMAqQp1-fcvPOtBgZnd6C0/s4032/IMG_7966.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98ld56cL9sInRNOpJRrm7711QetHoFTSZXv43kBOBS-u-D_aNUwN5AbFybRzWVzQQ95T6b3GNYK75F_rv-gmmDLL2anEhUUSFxTIexAn2WGwHsWSh3StZTVI-xj2Uvlg-7m6juPwirk44rdwQMyY8z4AIHqkm3ZUzfMOazvCMAqQp1-fcvPOtBgZnd6C0/w150-h200/IMG_7966.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWg0x8wshoMXla3MKszQ73q91SnxjIQR6uLVLlzdQwYVTD2kHqIJmnbUlp2lHj62SnwyTOmx4r4kINh-hpQ45MiSRpazVvX4h6cxwVqxVGy8QsxzuUypAPoDDFCN9SXii_nppuh3r7N58Pz1GNafem-1qpJvVQLUc63QqpIPjYZ7aSBEg8hMma2-KzRuo/s4032/IMG_7974.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWg0x8wshoMXla3MKszQ73q91SnxjIQR6uLVLlzdQwYVTD2kHqIJmnbUlp2lHj62SnwyTOmx4r4kINh-hpQ45MiSRpazVvX4h6cxwVqxVGy8QsxzuUypAPoDDFCN9SXii_nppuh3r7N58Pz1GNafem-1qpJvVQLUc63QqpIPjYZ7aSBEg8hMma2-KzRuo/s320/IMG_7974.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>In the neglected treehouse at the bottom of the garden I found a fairy village of tiny mushrooms.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyLBkE4mMl8cMJ7Wf9bZnkj0F8L8OpWfTF4m_TtwXN4FBPxTPgSuR9bdy8onRi8BXB8hdYV0L2hHtxUGNcbb_QbX3pNswfLXP2VhsoJWwYp-Z5qLQB88NXJ_Thv8OuJOFTNvNb6lhwzhoWisk69gwENQ-PMSONTuMZxicRrltTVk_MSEaYezOR1BH3qSo/s4032/IMG_7986.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyLBkE4mMl8cMJ7Wf9bZnkj0F8L8OpWfTF4m_TtwXN4FBPxTPgSuR9bdy8onRi8BXB8hdYV0L2hHtxUGNcbb_QbX3pNswfLXP2VhsoJWwYp-Z5qLQB88NXJ_Thv8OuJOFTNvNb6lhwzhoWisk69gwENQ-PMSONTuMZxicRrltTVk_MSEaYezOR1BH3qSo/s320/IMG_7986.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>And this is the only tie of year I appreciate this huge sycamore which grows just behind our fence. For many months it blocks the light from the lawn but as its leaves turn yellow and glow in morning or afternoon sun it's forgiven.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb8biRCQvVyUol0E2FcWnHK0eFV_IuMFe5AwfN0x_Mc7D3DI2t-_7aFnGaXf0Dz_1vFDyCsREu_HRzc_s6QKJjxBFgCoepq3ujytIh_c5liX7UWUAGWke7FLc5BtgPB7IIXgBTTNNxGIxfeFEAPrVMCT6LOSpRPeT40gH2b73K86XCGWZ4vRftT_-PAeQ/s4032/IMG_7994.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb8biRCQvVyUol0E2FcWnHK0eFV_IuMFe5AwfN0x_Mc7D3DI2t-_7aFnGaXf0Dz_1vFDyCsREu_HRzc_s6QKJjxBFgCoepq3ujytIh_c5liX7UWUAGWke7FLc5BtgPB7IIXgBTTNNxGIxfeFEAPrVMCT6LOSpRPeT40gH2b73K86XCGWZ4vRftT_-PAeQ/s320/IMG_7994.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-21776883186044171202023-11-14T12:54:00.003+00:002023-11-17T10:53:45.232+00:00Mercia Marina<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76-TcdsM0WYei-0Y7LosU-nTe0ORWPVrdyaI0nbu6DvPFFYEZEDCYdsl936FnRz-CkEiOc_gqcfV5O-UrfJNooEnUD1dnqS_UOX3mQpl4vSdWFCMxntkwXKz0T4pxNzAqq9HwbpSM7JXmqvme_1jQI89qWXdKYk_oR8e5v3oVirT0tOrt4vU8IFocJncA/s4032/IMG_7862.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76-TcdsM0WYei-0Y7LosU-nTe0ORWPVrdyaI0nbu6DvPFFYEZEDCYdsl936FnRz-CkEiOc_gqcfV5O-UrfJNooEnUD1dnqS_UOX3mQpl4vSdWFCMxntkwXKz0T4pxNzAqq9HwbpSM7JXmqvme_1jQI89qWXdKYk_oR8e5v3oVirT0tOrt4vU8IFocJncA/s320/IMG_7862.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>I've had Mercia Marina on my 'must visit' list for quite a while. It's relatively on my doorstep, friends are always surprised that I haven't been, but somehow I've never got round to it. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So in the spirit of trying something new I thought it would be a good place for looking at boats and a short walk along the Trent and Mersey canal. Unfortunately it wasn't as interesting as I'd hoped.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsQs2hLfIh1nu_b-umX4c9cauhArtLFzlWeFlrUGp5YoZPo83xxTjk6CEaYCRmRgpXEjY6_lAOV5wlPjUAN8VFIMG_ahK2fJVnSB5G04iEe3XaQZWaNlR4P57wiYJwtion6HLra7WkGf7lYgvGLnJuIUxsUr-Dt7pZeocnLcoNPEAkVrzmkoE7WM4otRa/s4032/IMG_7863.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsQs2hLfIh1nu_b-umX4c9cauhArtLFzlWeFlrUGp5YoZPo83xxTjk6CEaYCRmRgpXEjY6_lAOV5wlPjUAN8VFIMG_ahK2fJVnSB5G04iEe3XaQZWaNlR4P57wiYJwtion6HLra7WkGf7lYgvGLnJuIUxsUr-Dt7pZeocnLcoNPEAkVrzmkoE7WM4otRa/s320/IMG_7863.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>Unlike Shardlow, which was once a busy inland port, or Cromford with its industrial heritage, it has no history. The marina is relatively new and purpose-built for boat storage. It's huge but the public can't really wander round it - just long a small section with boats for sale and some housing businesses. I suppose it makes sense from a boat-owners point of view - you don't want anybody and everybody coming poking round the outside of your boat when you're not around - but I had expected to see more than glimpses in the distance. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39a7wijOwO5vtzS9pTBP0c2ZxHlxgK8SBvax2ooytd2Ru9ypvjvjYmehKT-RHGFuS429m6piOR5D6H0-54OvMe66WC_w9mBtqwxzx0zzao9uBawvWlfdg6o8SwpTDMwfP1OtmCxQG3ZFY7J4sFCNF69pOyRWfOUWUZaAXKwCFC04zDSZh6jpSnaK6-VP5/s4032/IMG_7865.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39a7wijOwO5vtzS9pTBP0c2ZxHlxgK8SBvax2ooytd2Ru9ypvjvjYmehKT-RHGFuS429m6piOR5D6H0-54OvMe66WC_w9mBtqwxzx0zzao9uBawvWlfdg6o8SwpTDMwfP1OtmCxQG3ZFY7J4sFCNF69pOyRWfOUWUZaAXKwCFC04zDSZh6jpSnaK6-VP5/s320/IMG_7865.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>There are shops if you're in the mood for spending, and cafes and restaurants for eating. But as for the marina itself, that seemed to be it.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are various bits of sculpture dotted about here and there - from a stylised swan to a willow troll - but they seem rather randomly picked and sited, and some could easily be missed competely.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpePk8vhRsOw7OJkJG_1punMlzAuCO40Dndiot8cpLE-kl08b7_pi8WqZ9CiGY46DnYyHVjmhpvMSzNaQuHk_fGAbC8wy5wvayRZi2hmP8E2XZHeHtMyvT9kFs53DEVKkkt4xbONGeNOp0W565yqFw0GUwGU7DWlAQZ0v_rrtlwQ8kDDgIi16Fh_9v0r6/s4032/IMG_7869.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpePk8vhRsOw7OJkJG_1punMlzAuCO40Dndiot8cpLE-kl08b7_pi8WqZ9CiGY46DnYyHVjmhpvMSzNaQuHk_fGAbC8wy5wvayRZi2hmP8E2XZHeHtMyvT9kFs53DEVKkkt4xbONGeNOp0W565yqFw0GUwGU7DWlAQZ0v_rrtlwQ8kDDgIi16Fh_9v0r6/s320/IMG_7869.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Msxy97U2PeYOcZG8SPQB0mTxuzQHBRJKv34OvskDSXo_SPmvAJjjTWettftyjZCI1Icqaarxcg7Km9uSyvKQ6vCxI7dvstlj-b4JnwFAAadlC56qi9PoSO2u3pnaMZbyVlOIBKIkWPYXbfMMNiFo9br4t-d7Z-QKU4BcagMSxf47uy_85hbXkxnk3U6I/s4032/IMG_7880.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Msxy97U2PeYOcZG8SPQB0mTxuzQHBRJKv34OvskDSXo_SPmvAJjjTWettftyjZCI1Icqaarxcg7Km9uSyvKQ6vCxI7dvstlj-b4JnwFAAadlC56qi9PoSO2u3pnaMZbyVlOIBKIkWPYXbfMMNiFo9br4t-d7Z-QKU4BcagMSxf47uy_85hbXkxnk3U6I/w150-h200/IMG_7880.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyeCk_adI69WCmlI3XsSLR3tY6m9_KydS2pNL7Ru6ZQCHZQK-u-9p_hNbOWXDtgs4uJoREb_cGp4rqWgT-Zx-XdB0h_kjVQ4D0lmPN5MFvbcue4-8l9BIeH1Mmy-LFukkT6HbTnAw4rxItt4u99jYvBt_bTHQjG9lW-u_hFcgoJfFA0djWYR8reAAq-gL/s4032/IMG_7878.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyeCk_adI69WCmlI3XsSLR3tY6m9_KydS2pNL7Ru6ZQCHZQK-u-9p_hNbOWXDtgs4uJoREb_cGp4rqWgT-Zx-XdB0h_kjVQ4D0lmPN5MFvbcue4-8l9BIeH1Mmy-LFukkT6HbTnAw4rxItt4u99jYvBt_bTHQjG9lW-u_hFcgoJfFA0djWYR8reAAq-gL/s320/IMG_7878.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0DJRHconbz9t1QCpx3aXCANh_NiFHFWaxgE6iS0_FLLgUdu7Ktc0Hmc00FfeS4VREtta5y0jfCiRCRmYQwtm4NQXVqy7hDWTfKjsmnrdSCHV_oHOgokIPCA9XgXEbTyFa3StQFEAduaGnkRbIXZLQU4fb47EFrKo9a0RSopYLcdBgj2KUR08h0WQrBcc/s4032/IMG_7866.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0DJRHconbz9t1QCpx3aXCANh_NiFHFWaxgE6iS0_FLLgUdu7Ktc0Hmc00FfeS4VREtta5y0jfCiRCRmYQwtm4NQXVqy7hDWTfKjsmnrdSCHV_oHOgokIPCA9XgXEbTyFa3StQFEAduaGnkRbIXZLQU4fb47EFrKo9a0RSopYLcdBgj2KUR08h0WQrBcc/w400-h300/IMG_7866.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGdap60FYR3m6Rglq8lX5BJTkechgCkn8o7uCfJdwYnrTavs_9Y5SJjfPH_juBLgDWbzmt0yzTeOpxDW3suOj6OWCRT_6H2uUNzMtlsGnYQsS8YCYR6BNI_i6ZezmfyeJqqO_HUkKoh17kxLZ4CJtET0yjbn2YTM6kJdkm1f0FL6XRrj_3B82HQNE2Fiw/s4032/IMG_7867.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGdap60FYR3m6Rglq8lX5BJTkechgCkn8o7uCfJdwYnrTavs_9Y5SJjfPH_juBLgDWbzmt0yzTeOpxDW3suOj6OWCRT_6H2uUNzMtlsGnYQsS8YCYR6BNI_i6ZezmfyeJqqO_HUkKoh17kxLZ4CJtET0yjbn2YTM6kJdkm1f0FL6XRrj_3B82HQNE2Fiw/s320/IMG_7867.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Anyway, not having found anything to really interest me so far, I decided to go in search of the nearby canal for a short walk (after which I might have had tea and cake at one of the cafes)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bb3D5FhP7rTxqg5Sdx4BTlz4odfFuti9KF2o8pCxsxC2YTgvOFTdSnC7JZ0Iv0J5zy7Vkg6ASr-RCymhiCLQQ6lILEArVDCKP1ZSr8qNxdoo_xjAb9DWQypMsaSbq-KuJOnfqNdNCb91dxspRDg20PijXoDhhZ0HrjO9Mt26ykYAeJRLw3mSWgg38Y76/s4032/IMG_7871.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bb3D5FhP7rTxqg5Sdx4BTlz4odfFuti9KF2o8pCxsxC2YTgvOFTdSnC7JZ0Iv0J5zy7Vkg6ASr-RCymhiCLQQ6lILEArVDCKP1ZSr8qNxdoo_xjAb9DWQypMsaSbq-KuJOnfqNdNCb91dxspRDg20PijXoDhhZ0HrjO9Mt26ykYAeJRLw3mSWgg38Y76/s320/IMG_7871.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The route didn't appear to be clearly marked so we wandered through a carpark, alongside a short stretch of canal which led into the marina, and across a field. Then I discovered that to reach the canal towpath I needed to cross over to the other side, which entailed going up and down some quite steep open-tread steps. Fine, maybe, if I were as fit as I once was, but since the whole falling down the stairs episode I'm neither as agile nor as confident about steps. And so I decided to give up. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6acT_3dWuZNX2hiTLpQ2rLR-dzS3aqYfFt26BLRESd_lw9cfbh6_M3NdgJchXv1LdkcMbPs4QQrzq-JAQ6AorqubeiCJFivd1Soq73qRnQCYi6Wscvb_VFj9C-ZuMpXqB2ZraQie6HPvZlLDIBxZZezsNwQyXMQW6PE6WWQad2cJWf4FvwuStEFqSh4z6/s4032/IMG_7870.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6acT_3dWuZNX2hiTLpQ2rLR-dzS3aqYfFt26BLRESd_lw9cfbh6_M3NdgJchXv1LdkcMbPs4QQrzq-JAQ6AorqubeiCJFivd1Soq73qRnQCYi6Wscvb_VFj9C-ZuMpXqB2ZraQie6HPvZlLDIBxZZezsNwQyXMQW6PE6WWQad2cJWf4FvwuStEFqSh4z6/s320/IMG_7870.JPEG" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall, I'd mark it as a disappointing destination. Good for eating or shopping but not that's about all.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHXsbKeUA5CxkEE57VaD1R6Qp3cIJn5WUXbVwQxJsjD98Ap9o1raDlJB82LzD2lDR-PnyvCPOWJmJ4W-Ow5sX5wNzwig9oeTO4Xkt47a_apNLBaptWzU86RykzAklQ_h7fis1PVM9iZjW78TNFIPNlpXNf1p5nSmop0wrOdb2RxEDdL0libj2KUqkZmr0/s4032/IMG_7874.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHXsbKeUA5CxkEE57VaD1R6Qp3cIJn5WUXbVwQxJsjD98Ap9o1raDlJB82LzD2lDR-PnyvCPOWJmJ4W-Ow5sX5wNzwig9oeTO4Xkt47a_apNLBaptWzU86RykzAklQ_h7fis1PVM9iZjW78TNFIPNlpXNf1p5nSmop0wrOdb2RxEDdL0libj2KUqkZmr0/s320/IMG_7874.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Something that struck me was that whereas it's quite easy to take, and post, photos that make the marina look attractive you only need to turn around to see that the location is dominated by Willington power station. It's disused now but 1950s cooling towers are still an eyesore, without the visual/industrial heritage appeal of Cromford's old mills</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjM617J9CU7JX7mF7cJCRTKU4NaJBF9V-HGl1rKT1ZExBv328zbAL28WgKM_hytgCJU57QRQFZ1TjyS5bXYGR2s1GhnmtYGV_cSSQ3ujlRGKBkh41df013jE1Tub460hmJjeb292x5-hQbdgvVLeWNxMZf0EXZT0a0WygQn7zKHGYrfPl0D-sMfZvy5pH/s4032/IMG_7868.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjM617J9CU7JX7mF7cJCRTKU4NaJBF9V-HGl1rKT1ZExBv328zbAL28WgKM_hytgCJU57QRQFZ1TjyS5bXYGR2s1GhnmtYGV_cSSQ3ujlRGKBkh41df013jE1Tub460hmJjeb292x5-hQbdgvVLeWNxMZf0EXZT0a0WygQn7zKHGYrfPl0D-sMfZvy5pH/s320/IMG_7868.JPEG" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-20925017016253103812023-11-04T12:04:00.006+00:002023-11-04T12:05:41.731+00:00Calke - cows, pumpkins, and dahlias <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkerelW7KR8hfzPBeaif1XCGNKWBFUQPE_4oDSg11LOWcRyGZnXGSDaOj1PGvlkwaDwCP6iIQjEsoyQrbjivskcVIRP38moTLxTRAeJoVgILxmiaFueSQ4XhpGdnoYU9pZ9Z9sua5hSqLZ8nVu6fUeOo-wjAagytbj-9v6gE5DZtyOWGnCNTABhbgmwmIC/s320/IMG_7783.JPEG" width="240" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As the early part of October continued mild and occasionally sunny, I grabbed the opportunity for a visit to Calke. My main intent was to see the annual pumpkin display and the dahlias but there was more to see than those.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkerelW7KR8hfzPBeaif1XCGNKWBFUQPE_4oDSg11LOWcRyGZnXGSDaOj1PGvlkwaDwCP6iIQjEsoyQrbjivskcVIRP38moTLxTRAeJoVgILxmiaFueSQ4XhpGdnoYU9pZ9Z9sua5hSqLZ8nVu6fUeOo-wjAagytbj-9v6gE5DZtyOWGnCNTABhbgmwmIC/s4032/IMG_7783.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE5Pkc9q0xQ8yrpZYi67hdnVMvPJ0H-bW0M4Ej8uMGephVLQT689V0x8bCO2Z1ZTA8iUG8edVcYoiahmUlPiK-OH7wGYHE3IcEbMSOsa2Mp2ABrFGUMdja0-cjVEX6-A0yueBGpttvO5r_usw3essZvqKR5qGyiIai-x-geNv4-9O_mjPMZciSw3CEQGA/s4032/IMG_7781.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE5Pkc9q0xQ8yrpZYi67hdnVMvPJ0H-bW0M4Ej8uMGephVLQT689V0x8bCO2Z1ZTA8iUG8edVcYoiahmUlPiK-OH7wGYHE3IcEbMSOsa2Mp2ABrFGUMdja0-cjVEX6-A0yueBGpttvO5r_usw3essZvqKR5qGyiIai-x-geNv4-9O_mjPMZciSw3CEQGA/s320/IMG_7781.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div>I've often seen the estate's deer close to the visitor area but was surprised to be met by some of the longhorn cattle grazing near the car park. I've seen them before at a distance when walking through the park but I've never approached them. I assume they're as friendly as other cows but they're rather large and the adults have ferocious-looking horns so I feel it's best to give them space. This time they were safely the other side of a fence so it was possible to get quite close. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7AVtwgApcERBMaAgMC-HkWDqVVazJYjkybauDNIF95U5NT_AmJ9HUilG71Z9H8b5u4V-BkGg8Q9ZLTQOy2wt2wKdRO-BB8hsySm343wDb1fjf2t0KPjaRsZjD2Rh4cnse-2tZNgEM7L_IoXDjaWusSVj8XRYYJPfzWpcJiNkx5wYYSjUt8Nrh0kWqSCY/s4032/IMG_7782.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7AVtwgApcERBMaAgMC-HkWDqVVazJYjkybauDNIF95U5NT_AmJ9HUilG71Z9H8b5u4V-BkGg8Q9ZLTQOy2wt2wKdRO-BB8hsySm343wDb1fjf2t0KPjaRsZjD2Rh4cnse-2tZNgEM7L_IoXDjaWusSVj8XRYYJPfzWpcJiNkx5wYYSjUt8Nrh0kWqSCY/s320/IMG_7782.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH9dwDYfnYBoXbn85QmPdx_Ai-CpMBiC7P8_v9swcQlZ-jx0rBJngID6uzC46GL-GIxLJUjO7NmeT29dSKB6-UHTDIodzY2So9TdfE0yToY1nnX_unF74byITKsfZBdN3zNElis38PQzqcvgaMgsumcJrOrDJt5zOZNd9YtHYBnNDf-1WqA-NK9cm_9sZ/s4032/IMG_7788.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsH9dwDYfnYBoXbn85QmPdx_Ai-CpMBiC7P8_v9swcQlZ-jx0rBJngID6uzC46GL-GIxLJUjO7NmeT29dSKB6-UHTDIodzY2So9TdfE0yToY1nnX_unF74byITKsfZBdN3zNElis38PQzqcvgaMgsumcJrOrDJt5zOZNd9YtHYBnNDf-1WqA-NK9cm_9sZ/w400-h300/IMG_7788.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside the gardens proper I found the wonderful pumpkin display. The variety of shape and size is astonishing - from huge 'warty' pumpkins to the tiny squash or long thin tromboncinos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEx7YQ5XIN5c4ZGha_ZkrE9G1_C-Yil8A2OWi8dJDdkvVEtULm99wnU09kh_CwnkJzfdOcSX3_HrH_JktHM80RL-5dD-QgMFh2fgo1TEGf-sMswytUS1XP-6d5sBlkjyNbu_LGsub4zqbb2hxiekEOkQt-C5vYnXwcuGFqcFaLmEF9Xc5VTRh1UhcwdxQ/s4032/IMG_7786.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEx7YQ5XIN5c4ZGha_ZkrE9G1_C-Yil8A2OWi8dJDdkvVEtULm99wnU09kh_CwnkJzfdOcSX3_HrH_JktHM80RL-5dD-QgMFh2fgo1TEGf-sMswytUS1XP-6d5sBlkjyNbu_LGsub4zqbb2hxiekEOkQt-C5vYnXwcuGFqcFaLmEF9Xc5VTRh1UhcwdxQ/s320/IMG_7786.JPEG" width="240" /></a>Nearby were bright autumn flowers.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE78wtmEoXIA5oHVmrYd_eAqPEUcBSe_meLUkMQrCAzzFtRzAbQYfjG9gI1OUgWszPaptcN7QGGrAmKMqlTwthKKe09iMtD-Rfim2E5S6YEndeXLWnm8k2S0x8VhZ-l_ZPDlyvcpSPf2Hqjl4q7jTJyhyOmCzHTsH1iM6qcHg01UPVeDPY8-ePzzeCQnM7/s4032/IMG_7794.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE78wtmEoXIA5oHVmrYd_eAqPEUcBSe_meLUkMQrCAzzFtRzAbQYfjG9gI1OUgWszPaptcN7QGGrAmKMqlTwthKKe09iMtD-Rfim2E5S6YEndeXLWnm8k2S0x8VhZ-l_ZPDlyvcpSPf2Hqjl4q7jTJyhyOmCzHTsH1iM6qcHg01UPVeDPY8-ePzzeCQnM7/s320/IMG_7794.JPEG" width="240" /></a><br /></div>I love the colour combination here of pink/red wall creeper and yellow kniphofia.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMByF_SmKhjXZVEbdkpmc8ozZNj1T5YFOSVolkRPA-4A_iXSHZrmXgS8odYHVU9q51m3L896ZdiHVHcAWeYm4qr-WwcnXddXe4eEsFZicp5rjZddVX3cFhBuEqq7lMMeRatosbmpGcRUZJ42bMxeV24p5-2SOsdm1Hqmr3DtECxR9ouvFHZYQ7s2cP6hi/s4032/IMG_7813%20-%20Copy.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMByF_SmKhjXZVEbdkpmc8ozZNj1T5YFOSVolkRPA-4A_iXSHZrmXgS8odYHVU9q51m3L896ZdiHVHcAWeYm4qr-WwcnXddXe4eEsFZicp5rjZddVX3cFhBuEqq7lMMeRatosbmpGcRUZJ42bMxeV24p5-2SOsdm1Hqmr3DtECxR9ouvFHZYQ7s2cP6hi/s320/IMG_7813%20-%20Copy.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>The path up to the gardeners' offices are always lined with dahlias in autumn. All colours, shapes, and sizes, but I noticed the simple ones were favoured more by bees and butterflies. Perhaps it's just to complicated to find the centre of a pom-pom variety.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfHlVPm0MfDgaqvrYhFO2eMnwORmePgJaVObrXI6SsT5WMcMsNHcQfn0DNImp9_q4wr8VlvP68BjabykEzKGX4uhI2pLEts9KTmo9gHMjRFTW1qw7WVkpkSmW1BzpZ1rLzjjrNhgEq_Tqza0zl6qTA_5QiOhrDkVeGwFXcCmsubCUVKLiDYAjTX261OWr/s4032/IMG_7808.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfHlVPm0MfDgaqvrYhFO2eMnwORmePgJaVObrXI6SsT5WMcMsNHcQfn0DNImp9_q4wr8VlvP68BjabykEzKGX4uhI2pLEts9KTmo9gHMjRFTW1qw7WVkpkSmW1BzpZ1rLzjjrNhgEq_Tqza0zl6qTA_5QiOhrDkVeGwFXcCmsubCUVKLiDYAjTX261OWr/w240-h320/IMG_7808.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogS7ODWtjdfB-jSXhNMPTsi8v-Whmir496zfXFSqYaMqT6yGEVCMTwL7QtYVYQcwOkN_9ofM7S3qib3ggU2HOev6adzWmv1Cy9n3DdEE5YVdUTfDTzRkN22ARLRHu0bP8-u2fRondR3sRxYVSnr6pb0muyk-1r2pw2gds3CxnK9TMdSEIC9eTzV4kwE37/s4032/IMG_7805.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogS7ODWtjdfB-jSXhNMPTsi8v-Whmir496zfXFSqYaMqT6yGEVCMTwL7QtYVYQcwOkN_9ofM7S3qib3ggU2HOev6adzWmv1Cy9n3DdEE5YVdUTfDTzRkN22ARLRHu0bP8-u2fRondR3sRxYVSnr6pb0muyk-1r2pw2gds3CxnK9TMdSEIC9eTzV4kwE37/s320/IMG_7805.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW4LbrsAZ0BUFLpPIwxPyChkXfQmUX03naxT8suP8w8VTMidgUIgsNlMTQb_CRbfrjLdHG5MfE0WeWiJ1Oys5649im7JTuqk-5YhQ7GsbkccmLDg8bG-AwDPDKjJw2Q-7_MHqhZZmM6Zpppk7G1zwx-QHilLwhcZfZOJy2x6B3QzKRwBPVUST0rPAFxms/s4032/IMG_7806.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW4LbrsAZ0BUFLpPIwxPyChkXfQmUX03naxT8suP8w8VTMidgUIgsNlMTQb_CRbfrjLdHG5MfE0WeWiJ1Oys5649im7JTuqk-5YhQ7GsbkccmLDg8bG-AwDPDKjJw2Q-7_MHqhZZmM6Zpppk7G1zwx-QHilLwhcZfZOJy2x6B3QzKRwBPVUST0rPAFxms/s320/IMG_7806.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWd6lh6tg0axygwPWq2D73j2eb04_hGFnZxMNdtnVWio7OX3ME-K8d6x3sWcPxHeVSmT-QblMpGQsMTeBuV4_02VN19Mad7fMMKN-kCP92XGDLo_Drp37-ywYACFKoyxD3FfdCzlfatan9-5RXG3OoBlftpLkpe5nGl8LeKboR7KoWO845W_HdFgAUsCF/s4032/IMG_7811%20-%20Copy.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWd6lh6tg0axygwPWq2D73j2eb04_hGFnZxMNdtnVWio7OX3ME-K8d6x3sWcPxHeVSmT-QblMpGQsMTeBuV4_02VN19Mad7fMMKN-kCP92XGDLo_Drp37-ywYACFKoyxD3FfdCzlfatan9-5RXG3OoBlftpLkpe5nGl8LeKboR7KoWO845W_HdFgAUsCF/s320/IMG_7811%20-%20Copy.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDjse9cxXMWuI9AYE6TJZ3ZsRQ-ZgcjNF_VdR-hO2n8h4Xqgr65Uy5W82BU8kCp_3OBlPRQ44K-xXvU9wWq8ekjX-dxslurHDNbqW4l1vHnE7pm_vErkpTbWf94DgiIjqbJ-mFzPQlc6d79IpjYlUKtqubDeTSvqsA1OGzTvglcoVIP136odxGxFOo03s/s4032/IMG_7815%20-%20Copy.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDjse9cxXMWuI9AYE6TJZ3ZsRQ-ZgcjNF_VdR-hO2n8h4Xqgr65Uy5W82BU8kCp_3OBlPRQ44K-xXvU9wWq8ekjX-dxslurHDNbqW4l1vHnE7pm_vErkpTbWf94DgiIjqbJ-mFzPQlc6d79IpjYlUKtqubDeTSvqsA1OGzTvglcoVIP136odxGxFOo03s/s320/IMG_7815%20-%20Copy.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2VObpqXqVTtusE-uSr6zjXv9YKLndv_8Fz7p696q0aWXeZxOLYc8DM0Q5iLzWSZbEEj4MHVuOdZlLXZkhqxPs2HLLHFt7lGOl3rRFGqqaEmboCwwg0SYTnMJggu1OQlDAf7Bp6LK11QSS4dJ_cLuWkWGbh3cuoW3HcM8gSZi5e7iM3WuOol6ndNvoSEx/s4032/IMG_7816%20-%20Copy.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2VObpqXqVTtusE-uSr6zjXv9YKLndv_8Fz7p696q0aWXeZxOLYc8DM0Q5iLzWSZbEEj4MHVuOdZlLXZkhqxPs2HLLHFt7lGOl3rRFGqqaEmboCwwg0SYTnMJggu1OQlDAf7Bp6LK11QSS4dJ_cLuWkWGbh3cuoW3HcM8gSZi5e7iM3WuOol6ndNvoSEx/s320/IMG_7816%20-%20Copy.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Lastly I headed through the garden door and into the vegetable area.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjNigjxJgDP7p6OnSwzj0bSHs9vSPl0mD5i7G1jtHpLQI9Icr0Z71QfVQ7UKjS9dnAwc-fR1q-WcQhmZnHutISgrM0P0Exf0FTwNG3ZxmK66eGnzKKS6okOBJxARaQZU9smj9eHK4mGjbSMItwma8WEe7K3rFEEpX6B_nzTbsmzy4vv7q0puT9K6NU_-Z/s4032/IMG_7817%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjNigjxJgDP7p6OnSwzj0bSHs9vSPl0mD5i7G1jtHpLQI9Icr0Z71QfVQ7UKjS9dnAwc-fR1q-WcQhmZnHutISgrM0P0Exf0FTwNG3ZxmK66eGnzKKS6okOBJxARaQZU9smj9eHK4mGjbSMItwma8WEe7K3rFEEpX6B_nzTbsmzy4vv7q0puT9K6NU_-Z/s320/IMG_7817%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>Their are flowers here too - another striking colour combination.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAUjcZ-ufxxnINXGUh2QusRO06fKOcB84F82Rtt4myy5PK6T-KEKZ26y_PVmzhtu4GtUTuFkCJUpidYA_8PLepa8GMt6NiUmdo1S4lCB7hSdAKT5hEpOBazjCzQLJLKUu2ULeRkO-HVNEbHfqLKbbvvr_BcGRgac7OkmNqrgOqPtiefZhW6-UNnaA6eMp/s4032/IMG_7819%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAUjcZ-ufxxnINXGUh2QusRO06fKOcB84F82Rtt4myy5PK6T-KEKZ26y_PVmzhtu4GtUTuFkCJUpidYA_8PLepa8GMt6NiUmdo1S4lCB7hSdAKT5hEpOBazjCzQLJLKUu2ULeRkO-HVNEbHfqLKbbvvr_BcGRgac7OkmNqrgOqPtiefZhW6-UNnaA6eMp/s320/IMG_7819%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>And the vegetable beds still look busy with winter crops -cabbages and kale, leeks and chard, and nasturtiums winding through them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLJdXlSJg0PKeUcg-w5AmombgrsBt1U37RONs4Hxq6-2jXBgEx1XKKV0hvKGKmr7gZrVI22RIP1nKJLBqSnVQgFJDDwrgZYpI4_VQcksGT-y-OfcZirLhbtkdckC-Xs7hQJ0EK1ss5cR32LtNbQrOqgd1W9mJ4bT-Gnz_6Dte323XBMOZDpBSVvj9lSID/s4032/IMG_7822%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLJdXlSJg0PKeUcg-w5AmombgrsBt1U37RONs4Hxq6-2jXBgEx1XKKV0hvKGKmr7gZrVI22RIP1nKJLBqSnVQgFJDDwrgZYpI4_VQcksGT-y-OfcZirLhbtkdckC-Xs7hQJ0EK1ss5cR32LtNbQrOqgd1W9mJ4bT-Gnz_6Dte323XBMOZDpBSVvj9lSID/s320/IMG_7822%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxd9P-aGKqtEMJL07L82T8lcy9b52oGxLe_Y79P6dKpBnLgemuuCe8sl5Wp0huxPVvo1SPDyTnwR2rH37DQV3EoV7tnSpMCRAq8YuvnVwEBVAY9P9NtixNRZbJywi1kmTBhmm6_7jBlKXtp3HUNTKtF4AFsbCxA_FlYFbmF1xYMNpzh8Q3IqV3NAHCcYU/s4032/IMG_7828.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxd9P-aGKqtEMJL07L82T8lcy9b52oGxLe_Y79P6dKpBnLgemuuCe8sl5Wp0huxPVvo1SPDyTnwR2rH37DQV3EoV7tnSpMCRAq8YuvnVwEBVAY9P9NtixNRZbJywi1kmTBhmm6_7jBlKXtp3HUNTKtF4AFsbCxA_FlYFbmF1xYMNpzh8Q3IqV3NAHCcYU/w150-h200/IMG_7828.JPEG" width="150" /></a></div>Back then to the visitor centre in time for cake from the cafe. It was still warm enough to eat outside but it feels like it was the last day to do so.<br /> <p></p></div></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-49416266033119036422023-11-01T10:45:00.003+00:002023-11-01T10:46:01.591+00:00There and Back at Cromford<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUF0AR4XJ27vkCKDt7wZHt0L-jsXeQOiN_EvTZOyxpAEo_9Irr6WGtUQRnpB-E2m5lzHWSvFr7K5-Gg1yhQ00_fNccGWkLwmTGK-0vIBetduaayNwMF3xh0i0l7SspdqF1dXL5-n-8A9wuLEs3tUfRZOh-docrBfPbBJRdfo7QXQ22CAPawROrOBHSeEl/s4032/IMG_7766.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUF0AR4XJ27vkCKDt7wZHt0L-jsXeQOiN_EvTZOyxpAEo_9Irr6WGtUQRnpB-E2m5lzHWSvFr7K5-Gg1yhQ00_fNccGWkLwmTGK-0vIBetduaayNwMF3xh0i0l7SspdqF1dXL5-n-8A9wuLEs3tUfRZOh-docrBfPbBJRdfo7QXQ22CAPawROrOBHSeEl/s320/IMG_7766.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>My younger daughter came home a few weeks ago - back when October was still warm and sunny - and wanted to go out walking in Derbyshire. As I'm still not good on uneven footpaths or long distances we chose to head to Cromford and walk along the towpath towards High Peak Workshops.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg6juNMnANJH00Pu2by1G0-gQJQoRklGJQeMOUdPAxdRwbyFbxEMikSzgRep5uov1k1vy8G6haL5u6IADUra2rsVuNxbxCndS5os2ZpXlSoyR0sJoUoz4s68pmiyHmVnhTIpJiApJBZ6JaWHhHU1urUfkFqfR6heprZlcJaUXAols42Xlg6KNGwjc9RUz/s4032/IMG_7767.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg6juNMnANJH00Pu2by1G0-gQJQoRklGJQeMOUdPAxdRwbyFbxEMikSzgRep5uov1k1vy8G6haL5u6IADUra2rsVuNxbxCndS5os2ZpXlSoyR0sJoUoz4s68pmiyHmVnhTIpJiApJBZ6JaWHhHU1urUfkFqfR6heprZlcJaUXAols42Xlg6KNGwjc9RUz/s320/IMG_7767.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The sky looks rather dark and moody in my photos but the weather was nice and surprisingly</div><div style="text-align: center;"> warm for October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpquVkeWGjkmDK-JXey9em17uXjgtklEXhNrKoblkMndGccE4ZTnc0hm5eQAd1Ga7KU_WJKfap1xtr4vjZTbaL7S_7t0R-gLGoLAZn8ZpMXvRnPG9DK9p67xPq1SaEta_cbk2ObA1LlQYlkjUiEzGnvPk_mvFwWVMIKgl6ciQEYkOUvQLrj9jpFPW49l_X/s4032/IMG_7772.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpquVkeWGjkmDK-JXey9em17uXjgtklEXhNrKoblkMndGccE4ZTnc0hm5eQAd1Ga7KU_WJKfap1xtr4vjZTbaL7S_7t0R-gLGoLAZn8ZpMXvRnPG9DK9p67xPq1SaEta_cbk2ObA1LlQYlkjUiEzGnvPk_mvFwWVMIKgl6ciQEYkOUvQLrj9jpFPW49l_X/w400-h300/IMG_7772.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I didn't expect to make it the whole way - but I did! It's only a couple of miles but I haven't been walking long distances this year so it felt like quite an achievement.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cizGIHMNiVZVObNOJouzCqFF5ZRICWgTANe_AypP5v2KacYQM7w2ARI518u_pV74QlRd1haW9zxcDeHnWkVe-w657DKRpn1FmyqEnUjxnxAEXXuhyphenhyphenaOtRL6obT8WuWOINOznceXaS397xp8Z_GrFGMvx8EBMNWFY2rAN5DxrKYXy8ZNdRcls7JbAKubW/s4032/IMG_7775.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cizGIHMNiVZVObNOJouzCqFF5ZRICWgTANe_AypP5v2KacYQM7w2ARI518u_pV74QlRd1haW9zxcDeHnWkVe-w657DKRpn1FmyqEnUjxnxAEXXuhyphenhyphenaOtRL6obT8WuWOINOznceXaS397xp8Z_GrFGMvx8EBMNWFY2rAN5DxrKYXy8ZNdRcls7JbAKubW/s320/IMG_7775.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrhrtQdcymfjkNGlMEdd6KtVd9-RaOfqYy-_W9TL9-n-6ihfHL1DA-gCmRMf58H5uSC8mFuisNUdRrJ7coKRApep_gmdc2knEcJbBu_rfskEKFqxXIel3LHOvJ7H9wYo56zAwj93z5BIsiGRXzdEQi6uJSuxPBm1i69qKxfnbbB8bfBQ253y_toWYQiCJ/s4032/IMG_7769.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrhrtQdcymfjkNGlMEdd6KtVd9-RaOfqYy-_W9TL9-n-6ihfHL1DA-gCmRMf58H5uSC8mFuisNUdRrJ7coKRApep_gmdc2knEcJbBu_rfskEKFqxXIel3LHOvJ7H9wYo56zAwj93z5BIsiGRXzdEQi6uJSuxPBm1i69qKxfnbbB8bfBQ253y_toWYQiCJ/s320/IMG_7769.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div>And we saw a stegosaurus lurking on the opposite bank. Apparently it's been there quite a while but I've never noticed it before!<p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-73992733268984998712023-10-28T11:56:00.002+01:002023-10-28T20:28:20.821+01:00Autumn nuts and berries at Kedleston <p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECBK0OU8Hw5y5yGxLVH5ug7yoRqrfUbbpgr9HPoTZCQxuO77QhACXxxQrwY4AfpfbB87UX_id1Z1XtQgTZjIzNFFshATsqNDzCiKRgdK-QGpqSCPvd62TvmNflyERj7fe9lAgc19IkJ9i0fpMwFkEgvj3syOmM9WGcJ74jQDl8hr3k3YZs4PohtW_wu_d/s4032/IMG_7719.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECBK0OU8Hw5y5yGxLVH5ug7yoRqrfUbbpgr9HPoTZCQxuO77QhACXxxQrwY4AfpfbB87UX_id1Z1XtQgTZjIzNFFshATsqNDzCiKRgdK-QGpqSCPvd62TvmNflyERj7fe9lAgc19IkJ9i0fpMwFkEgvj3syOmM9WGcJ74jQDl8hr3k3YZs4PohtW_wu_d/s320/IMG_7719.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>Early October saw some lovely weather, and of course I wanted to be out and about making the most of it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAlywBe5qJeSY6J5P53WZiqcdqSQgu5fzhAnTSrl24A0GFT9CzhdpEZyGU79gUb1iWFr4565b4WeAucjk6q7PcmgjzISALyLZF9_tEcTOm4njuoYB4-XtbkjCYAH6ZvsqVX9q8uCWEddWzvig-BvTa-oXtl6S4wsaczOghQSm-BA7znCOYE9WgJ_oWCqy/s4032/IMG_7725.JPEG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAlywBe5qJeSY6J5P53WZiqcdqSQgu5fzhAnTSrl24A0GFT9CzhdpEZyGU79gUb1iWFr4565b4WeAucjk6q7PcmgjzISALyLZF9_tEcTOm4njuoYB4-XtbkjCYAH6ZvsqVX9q8uCWEddWzvig-BvTa-oXtl6S4wsaczOghQSm-BA7znCOYE9WgJ_oWCqy/s320/IMG_7725.JPEG" width="240" /></a>After my <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/09/not-nice-walk-at-shipley-park.html" target="_blank">disappointing trip</a> to Shipley I wanted to attempt a more gentle uphill stroll, so headed to Kedleston and the start of the Short Walk. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdLmwPB4zwdmGCG6Fvh1tXcH94rT6cMHyzto_NwaJI4-KDLsLQtBYocM8pSqtkC48MuxME-1Gnq4DCjPTlukqgAOR7RwrjXhGtc5tf3iIrromONNV1iS5xcYuZhdo73Bj4K_PlE6SXcgM37yKdkr51uuPwwKwmyjYlOxjDZTIYCbe9s0aPyqnUt0lvYn6/s4032/IMG_7731.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdLmwPB4zwdmGCG6Fvh1tXcH94rT6cMHyzto_NwaJI4-KDLsLQtBYocM8pSqtkC48MuxME-1Gnq4DCjPTlukqgAOR7RwrjXhGtc5tf3iIrromONNV1iS5xcYuZhdo73Bj4K_PlE6SXcgM37yKdkr51uuPwwKwmyjYlOxjDZTIYCbe9s0aPyqnUt0lvYn6/w400-h300/IMG_7731.JPEG" width="400" /></a><br />I didn't want to try the full walk as the downhill section across the inner park is quite steep and my ankles like coming downhill more than they like going up. I set my sights instead on reaching this viewpoint which looks over the surrounding countryside, taking a rest there, then returning the same way. It was considerably easier than the hill at Shipley, and I felt I could have carried on for further but decided it was better to not try too hard. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBKmjbT7qTMSBsb1o1AstPPOVjtOWFccqccKQ4x4i4y7MBfa3tJciA3N-nkqqrtT4b_iCJgnj_f7HHS7a2NyoDSYj-sVmyC4qpBO7UOjrVm8pAdH-o-I8qsF9DNAi6gensBcG1QNbHFLd62r-Wk9-PDM9Ox8ZC0_6QvDGuWcPYo6aDdHzJiHY1iwhlucP/s4032/IMG_7751.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBKmjbT7qTMSBsb1o1AstPPOVjtOWFccqccKQ4x4i4y7MBfa3tJciA3N-nkqqrtT4b_iCJgnj_f7HHS7a2NyoDSYj-sVmyC4qpBO7UOjrVm8pAdH-o-I8qsF9DNAi6gensBcG1QNbHFLd62r-Wk9-PDM9Ox8ZC0_6QvDGuWcPYo6aDdHzJiHY1iwhlucP/w400-h300/IMG_7751.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavJCeAqK-m-EBvL3KpRjRMYXhqaAartQZsL8-Uzj7QgXLhJlN8NTja_30Op8u-jjzbbn6U4jKCnVXk9Y7SVSyjfQFv11DguO_kjWJ9E4ydHtqJ0OsH046W_x_rH5m0it0_hcWKM3p9rq_J7ViilsQqQ2M7p5Y0SsBxJ8mM5o23w4faGKWhx4ZFsn9EyER/s4032/IMG_7729.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavJCeAqK-m-EBvL3KpRjRMYXhqaAartQZsL8-Uzj7QgXLhJlN8NTja_30Op8u-jjzbbn6U4jKCnVXk9Y7SVSyjfQFv11DguO_kjWJ9E4ydHtqJ0OsH046W_x_rH5m0it0_hcWKM3p9rq_J7ViilsQqQ2M7p5Y0SsBxJ8mM5o23w4faGKWhx4ZFsn9EyER/w150-h200/IMG_7729.JPEG" width="150" /></a><br /></div>This is always an interesting short walk with generally something new to be seen - from flowers in spring to nuts and berries in autumn. The trees were still green but conkers and beechmast were falling, and I picked a few up to admire (but left them for the squirrels).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqniq3Qpeeufyvr93p0hpVjR0ADhqTf8Bl7IswVj3EQDc67JcKCOpJE_XcO1c23r88FDvNGFgcMWdWPi8q9zusrJtG1cugoCGWQcFP1GtGHGBEKsYlVSPkBeiJ0zwwv_wBTzddaXWHRt21Ol3BeU0CSfBj8bmUSBIRROH4EzCvCxoZHPhq49punp15CGNx/s4032/IMG_7732.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqniq3Qpeeufyvr93p0hpVjR0ADhqTf8Bl7IswVj3EQDc67JcKCOpJE_XcO1c23r88FDvNGFgcMWdWPi8q9zusrJtG1cugoCGWQcFP1GtGHGBEKsYlVSPkBeiJ0zwwv_wBTzddaXWHRt21Ol3BeU0CSfBj8bmUSBIRROH4EzCvCxoZHPhq49punp15CGNx/s320/IMG_7732.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx8-TdyiTRvtjDwox3rl_tioasz8KbGTOqKjaf6XkjDuuMF1jyyqQuhbGkmVrI6yuXlXoUyYwIR8zS_n648x4sRiM7RjDqvLxvBK-7pBeBCShp23nE4Grv21dzVHCQ_0jU5NWi5e3VOtbOpg8-KNBnxpF0N5iI46CBfHG1W7lyLZ3gZHrAxqlkKEVgojs/s4032/IMG_7737.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx8-TdyiTRvtjDwox3rl_tioasz8KbGTOqKjaf6XkjDuuMF1jyyqQuhbGkmVrI6yuXlXoUyYwIR8zS_n648x4sRiM7RjDqvLxvBK-7pBeBCShp23nE4Grv21dzVHCQ_0jU5NWi5e3VOtbOpg8-KNBnxpF0N5iI46CBfHG1W7lyLZ3gZHrAxqlkKEVgojs/s320/IMG_7737.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8VVHjZUNTGG2DQtCiVkJAqLHGQe1zKsfnRwCm01TFHU32z4UjX_eDxIijpS-3W2m0qD6nKQ4pWFZn1IpEUKbfx0Mnn_SAk-8YAI8jr3R_TeeZzMI_TzKYOBJUIxSy2vbb6w4P8HjDIOVFXi77_sMCgk5W2DJn8eDlzk1qRjvNjYdOgNaOROramODOnFm/s4032/IMG_7741.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8VVHjZUNTGG2DQtCiVkJAqLHGQe1zKsfnRwCm01TFHU32z4UjX_eDxIijpS-3W2m0qD6nKQ4pWFZn1IpEUKbfx0Mnn_SAk-8YAI8jr3R_TeeZzMI_TzKYOBJUIxSy2vbb6w4P8HjDIOVFXi77_sMCgk5W2DJn8eDlzk1qRjvNjYdOgNaOROramODOnFm/s320/IMG_7741.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7e58FxwpqBXUy42if4rpGKUkP3HATg2P9RzcJ6WzASn4NTuahjzFZ2ucdSv6cdn7WUTymi0-9vs1vcdK4L7Ka5cI1rJ9rNyi-UIgLPp6wMJzO2nAXd57IaEYbI5nKNd4Vl4itEx1ZHxbRwUbqmM1rKzGdT4jRZRRSOysfJEAqytZa5f9j9-aryIH8Ewv7/s4032/IMG_7742.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7e58FxwpqBXUy42if4rpGKUkP3HATg2P9RzcJ6WzASn4NTuahjzFZ2ucdSv6cdn7WUTymi0-9vs1vcdK4L7Ka5cI1rJ9rNyi-UIgLPp6wMJzO2nAXd57IaEYbI5nKNd4Vl4itEx1ZHxbRwUbqmM1rKzGdT4jRZRRSOysfJEAqytZa5f9j9-aryIH8Ewv7/s320/IMG_7742.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>The smaller shrubs seem very full of berries this year - hawthorns, rosehips, holly, and pyracantha - which supposedly forecasts a harsh winter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VMF7b8n_lEqaECQQLZqtjTUsI7AHduNQfZEUE6slrn8WxfAKKV369d_cZnKl_El5E9rqgt7vStmAu_rmjpUooRtq4dvPgKWNeuJxwrvMXbhCqPZhwe8wVQxyOed9-hEMMlNHnKNkFI6aIWP2FOSziK07L3-OO8TzOvIqf8_p0MpQg-c1tOl815N_3gRM/s4032/IMG_7744.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VMF7b8n_lEqaECQQLZqtjTUsI7AHduNQfZEUE6slrn8WxfAKKV369d_cZnKl_El5E9rqgt7vStmAu_rmjpUooRtq4dvPgKWNeuJxwrvMXbhCqPZhwe8wVQxyOed9-hEMMlNHnKNkFI6aIWP2FOSziK07L3-OO8TzOvIqf8_p0MpQg-c1tOl815N_3gRM/s320/IMG_7744.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oCoCBsnXEdnj2nHe8CbFB1oR1n2Ggt-SQbFHN1kB13umBwa_3FD1yymL6mlJ3K1GZs7y0J9dYCDDTkKD_esnVffsS46mRF0mRY_Bb_9OXiCLYeeGRzD2Sn1CPk-qC1bIx1zvHO0MkRFsE9nUk5Cf-gCLbclPEHT-6jnMqvZxYo8Dkh9Rd_lOruyif5W9/s4032/IMG_7750.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oCoCBsnXEdnj2nHe8CbFB1oR1n2Ggt-SQbFHN1kB13umBwa_3FD1yymL6mlJ3K1GZs7y0J9dYCDDTkKD_esnVffsS46mRF0mRY_Bb_9OXiCLYeeGRzD2Sn1CPk-qC1bIx1zvHO0MkRFsE9nUk5Cf-gCLbclPEHT-6jnMqvZxYo8Dkh9Rd_lOruyif5W9/s320/IMG_7750.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl2paZPnUCLRmrF6vFlWLTl_KMzojZVK9CdEdytQ6pS7atp1WsxDAa7KcNcMF9mSC2pvmUacOoIK61AfsRzpkA85iXehZXbQrs3OgsNnpN5iLCWNmtzdkON3e_kG421uOq-di6xNkPIxKNrR4K3ZyKjgbOH2eLyU_2XFfaY8bhAYvj39KeAgy_3AjPPNi/s4032/IMG_7755.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl2paZPnUCLRmrF6vFlWLTl_KMzojZVK9CdEdytQ6pS7atp1WsxDAa7KcNcMF9mSC2pvmUacOoIK61AfsRzpkA85iXehZXbQrs3OgsNnpN5iLCWNmtzdkON3e_kG421uOq-di6xNkPIxKNrR4K3ZyKjgbOH2eLyU_2XFfaY8bhAYvj39KeAgy_3AjPPNi/s320/IMG_7755.JPEG" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTZh44GzE2WGyab0LItamgMwij7wbo324vSVHlzPU9R4OOtoS093cF8SsKnGm2PQom513kgsPsasKPLRnJxcHIpB-QHe2yW_G9T9_NPE4ZqL8tATJxSg3MEAyesufDiYlVXYq8QcWqoB6eOXQ7QCztHxiCFAPbiuLsksYpnko5l62NXIrMLinfF4I1ryM/s4032/IMG_7754.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTZh44GzE2WGyab0LItamgMwij7wbo324vSVHlzPU9R4OOtoS093cF8SsKnGm2PQom513kgsPsasKPLRnJxcHIpB-QHe2yW_G9T9_NPE4ZqL8tATJxSg3MEAyesufDiYlVXYq8QcWqoB6eOXQ7QCztHxiCFAPbiuLsksYpnko5l62NXIrMLinfF4I1ryM/w400-h300/IMG_7754.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now the weather has changed and dropped colder I'll have to return and see the trees in their autumn finery.</div><br /> <p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-65707689718014533372023-10-23T21:22:00.003+01:002023-10-23T21:22:23.199+01:00Last stop - Wells next the Sea<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpbFEcKa3mUBrOqEbRm-cJ72G1YL8iTqfZIHZYeZpgkwMMt-ChW_slt8gF8L5Ck26abJh6jgL2cqUAERiWkKzMAFZWABkLMY_OPBBl_aAtvpe2m7OHH-Fzqp0Lrc7odcPLDqp60isHVSzoNmR9xgyWfTO0nrpDGIaatVPwNUJIMV4OzGXKaM1HbR6pj8b/s4032/IMG_7701.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpbFEcKa3mUBrOqEbRm-cJ72G1YL8iTqfZIHZYeZpgkwMMt-ChW_slt8gF8L5Ck26abJh6jgL2cqUAERiWkKzMAFZWABkLMY_OPBBl_aAtvpe2m7OHH-Fzqp0Lrc7odcPLDqp60isHVSzoNmR9xgyWfTO0nrpDGIaatVPwNUJIMV4OzGXKaM1HbR6pj8b/w300-h400/IMG_7701.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p>Of all these north Norfolk coastal villages, Wells next the Sea is the one I find easiest to imagine as a busy port. It's the biggest, it still has lots of people milling around although they're mainly visitors, and most importantly it still has old 'harbour' buildings along the quay, even if their use has changed.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssPh8ZyI6Rwiqeiy6edqV3u-fLxBFHXDaxveLdMgwnsWrAk1IduHhTLxxZNTszhyphenhyphenluC8J41gIPdgzKZOE67Q4zwzivOFwEW2qIGzSxWSACvPXAy4oTvBRfVAJtcR9EzhKbwlS5h2516S41fXlLLmTlP0ATa_klzHMzYt8VPAsvM0_SgQdZry-w7qE396L/s4032/IMG_7709.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssPh8ZyI6Rwiqeiy6edqV3u-fLxBFHXDaxveLdMgwnsWrAk1IduHhTLxxZNTszhyphenhyphenluC8J41gIPdgzKZOE67Q4zwzivOFwEW2qIGzSxWSACvPXAy4oTvBRfVAJtcR9EzhKbwlS5h2516S41fXlLLmTlP0ATa_klzHMzYt8VPAsvM0_SgQdZry-w7qE396L/s320/IMG_7709.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkwQTjveVV9JpAUR1iJGAa5shgaWgOP1D_IRT8VIkWb4-KaPSubbWbucj9MKhZVUvVSbVproWqNMb7HlDthw7Cbkf4NmUAMtfOJMKCLQvrbXEkquph4PUgTmXHOKQyp-f9aRmPeHbKPscwbVZeUGUiwkDUgvtF-TPnvW2PmPRPeKOvnZd9feHSVk-AMw9/s4032/IMG_7712.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkwQTjveVV9JpAUR1iJGAa5shgaWgOP1D_IRT8VIkWb4-KaPSubbWbucj9MKhZVUvVSbVproWqNMb7HlDthw7Cbkf4NmUAMtfOJMKCLQvrbXEkquph4PUgTmXHOKQyp-f9aRmPeHbKPscwbVZeUGUiwkDUgvtF-TPnvW2PmPRPeKOvnZd9feHSVk-AMw9/s320/IMG_7712.JPEG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCNTx4jJz1nPArRn8sioy9XainomtPtuF-KJ2O6hIQNxAy9eRxCEd46ucagifuR3xc_LjqP6LgTtOWngLmYxM8AkzvHStruInzJlbuxVrqP9Xth0uGplRICtFF-xCWfLKTIpyGKej0T93UpcKIC7nUHzi1Ki7o9Fg0gLS_ifDZvvWTaFW7MVYRhBMaDp-/s4032/IMG_7703.JPEG" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">There are working fishing boats moored up along the quay and the former Dutch cargo ship, the Albatross, is back in port after a while away undergoing a refit.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCNTx4jJz1nPArRn8sioy9XainomtPtuF-KJ2O6hIQNxAy9eRxCEd46ucagifuR3xc_LjqP6LgTtOWngLmYxM8AkzvHStruInzJlbuxVrqP9Xth0uGplRICtFF-xCWfLKTIpyGKej0T93UpcKIC7nUHzi1Ki7o9Fg0gLS_ifDZvvWTaFW7MVYRhBMaDp-/s4032/IMG_7703.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCNTx4jJz1nPArRn8sioy9XainomtPtuF-KJ2O6hIQNxAy9eRxCEd46ucagifuR3xc_LjqP6LgTtOWngLmYxM8AkzvHStruInzJlbuxVrqP9Xth0uGplRICtFF-xCWfLKTIpyGKej0T93UpcKIC7nUHzi1Ki7o9Fg0gLS_ifDZvvWTaFW7MVYRhBMaDp-/s320/IMG_7703.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGqvvveuweVzizehXE_KvdYlr7_6GOyw7TbYY8pj-kvTzUhS1zqvtbn6mFh3r9GISas11LRofzEg6QGgRDJfrDzQ_SJVDIeZsrnI-MihXdqXmV_57JBDF9Hu9iq5JCM1ypfrVXypSLxg4TSJE4oc_IZ15fMdd6FPbROom_LkrBirYBk0hVaIM32IezvHm/s4032/IMG_7704.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGqvvveuweVzizehXE_KvdYlr7_6GOyw7TbYY8pj-kvTzUhS1zqvtbn6mFh3r9GISas11LRofzEg6QGgRDJfrDzQ_SJVDIeZsrnI-MihXdqXmV_57JBDF9Hu9iq5JCM1ypfrVXypSLxg4TSJE4oc_IZ15fMdd6FPbROom_LkrBirYBk0hVaIM32IezvHm/w400-h300/IMG_7704.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eTHd07YfZGYOLupVNTVWhvOi8qfK5JWrXPrHX_hL8TLmh8WjM_sPKiEZSE5Dgs3oEQJoarlXTURtZbuFq0Q_MYli2mEcGkFNJsrx2HVdHEkfxURdSz_0959kakF25m4mOW4I5XGNdQg1gIOf01yyrERZ-2T6cBI5cqPe4-Z4w8Gzfp7jvfvGbtnUfDtn/s4032/IMG_7706.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eTHd07YfZGYOLupVNTVWhvOi8qfK5JWrXPrHX_hL8TLmh8WjM_sPKiEZSE5Dgs3oEQJoarlXTURtZbuFq0Q_MYli2mEcGkFNJsrx2HVdHEkfxURdSz_0959kakF25m4mOW4I5XGNdQg1gIOf01yyrERZ-2T6cBI5cqPe4-Z4w8Gzfp7jvfvGbtnUfDtn/s320/IMG_7706.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uzh1OJD-7VAV83PVaVwm7fna3OCLQGHKdylnSSbwrnTF5hWVTu2wz_B37mzJ85Zpp9Sv9dC9LvDSUkEJifTH0KPOfonoZLC3uHaSwChq3d25n9gjSaLMSpw1ubOAYQ_8QiSiBHlVceiUZrTPBnca6dgjq1_9Jqm7XUq51B_rtMgxxqytLWP-fOGxGPoS/s4032/IMG_7708.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uzh1OJD-7VAV83PVaVwm7fna3OCLQGHKdylnSSbwrnTF5hWVTu2wz_B37mzJ85Zpp9Sv9dC9LvDSUkEJifTH0KPOfonoZLC3uHaSwChq3d25n9gjSaLMSpw1ubOAYQ_8QiSiBHlVceiUZrTPBnca6dgjq1_9Jqm7XUq51B_rtMgxxqytLWP-fOGxGPoS/s320/IMG_7708.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the last stop before heading home and there was just one thing left to be done - sit on the quay and eat fish and chips.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7pUs2XVrsY9f_dnI_obm0RoZ-fqX5tCIV5KKYg8GQgnD4Dq6EpsFYEmMBMsgCcqxI6hnDXqNEN5Rqzv1jbMwrkxNYwMivK61dYuddY2KUspABpXr-n8vdFvIJ8QW9_i5FSWxp-bysIwOFZooq3rjt0PPOqT36cgI3IPi3AAhfoW1kKLNlQSMMOznSdld/s4032/IMG_7711.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7pUs2XVrsY9f_dnI_obm0RoZ-fqX5tCIV5KKYg8GQgnD4Dq6EpsFYEmMBMsgCcqxI6hnDXqNEN5Rqzv1jbMwrkxNYwMivK61dYuddY2KUspABpXr-n8vdFvIJ8QW9_i5FSWxp-bysIwOFZooq3rjt0PPOqT36cgI3IPi3AAhfoW1kKLNlQSMMOznSdld/s320/IMG_7711.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136329803707061541.post-10842600049211354272023-10-22T11:50:00.002+01:002023-10-22T11:50:50.206+01:00Blakeney<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-L9m25rabPyazJe8nJ6icg21hYfSVZUXS0YspCd7IX164M0wMZ0f9WYsC-qOWTRdRjHbOgHmbp3zXsixyplA34o_UwJb1_DpYoS02cA4vX15aXviE8AInIjxJXebBWRLJT0lLWd_teRVttkg2o649LF_pcgiZb0w26PC-ovUQ7JxbN79iWSYrnUo78PH/s4032/IMG_7678.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-L9m25rabPyazJe8nJ6icg21hYfSVZUXS0YspCd7IX164M0wMZ0f9WYsC-qOWTRdRjHbOgHmbp3zXsixyplA34o_UwJb1_DpYoS02cA4vX15aXviE8AInIjxJXebBWRLJT0lLWd_teRVttkg2o649LF_pcgiZb0w26PC-ovUQ7JxbN79iWSYrnUo78PH/s320/IMG_7678.JPEG" width="240" /></a> The next stop <a href="https://maryomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2023/10/exploring-cley-next-sea.html" target="_blank">after Cley</a> in our journey along north Norfolk's coast was to another once-busy port - Blakeney. It's now best known for bird-watching and boats,</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBwXVziAVOCoPXkf6YWVVZXv3Ep8oNRg3IVpfMegYx6wfnSRAwM9KbRFZe_u72CKLvOXT0hzN_0BANAeTk81dL9lCbaZoi1nBVAjhqwU51FiEGYSPmRmSZBQ9XBJPkpXgI0WaDOatOiA94HmBcfDA4bNkVnnJ6hJ8zPxlzLsCM-Am-Ni1m80mVxQjdRqs/s4032/IMG_7676.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBwXVziAVOCoPXkf6YWVVZXv3Ep8oNRg3IVpfMegYx6wfnSRAwM9KbRFZe_u72CKLvOXT0hzN_0BANAeTk81dL9lCbaZoi1nBVAjhqwU51FiEGYSPmRmSZBQ9XBJPkpXgI0WaDOatOiA94HmBcfDA4bNkVnnJ6hJ8zPxlzLsCM-Am-Ni1m80mVxQjdRqs/s320/IMG_7676.JPEG" width="320" /></a>We left the car in the free car park by the main road, and ambled down one of the pretty streets which lead to the quay, checking out the old buildings and architecture then after some sauntering around looking at boats and trying to spot the sea in the distance, we wandered back up by another.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o_dhQEa3iY30c7QRKf2idRThFM4sYQq5y6um5X7rbgrE4QwSmsG3D52-Cm7tZA6TzNlDNFjG6VB2VZIAAnFs2ImFWkssoieoKdh_KJoKDkN8D1rwljUTrTx1irl9R42shJuChrvBA-uEyfJUEqGqZuxkonuS58KjnR9qAILM8ZlEkz55byFPJrSvnX0G/s4032/IMG_7677.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o_dhQEa3iY30c7QRKf2idRThFM4sYQq5y6um5X7rbgrE4QwSmsG3D52-Cm7tZA6TzNlDNFjG6VB2VZIAAnFs2ImFWkssoieoKdh_KJoKDkN8D1rwljUTrTx1irl9R42shJuChrvBA-uEyfJUEqGqZuxkonuS58KjnR9qAILM8ZlEkz55byFPJrSvnX0G/s320/IMG_7677.JPEG" width="240" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZZB2ZTc8SXrJDfY33-3YCH01vpA8VpzYLUi760Q2PjxN3tN1dCPHy2uUd_YfgUoMyAoPQXqv24bdgCruJJWoU_pFzqFMlCzkNeUpVbo8QEKi3K4IgPVf2FkRxWiL0lXCRr9G6lDv3ukq3i_djdmvl_IQEDEU4XD4jCJkM8yjJ8j5FWtT47p2t1Nb7zis/s4032/IMG_7684.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZZB2ZTc8SXrJDfY33-3YCH01vpA8VpzYLUi760Q2PjxN3tN1dCPHy2uUd_YfgUoMyAoPQXqv24bdgCruJJWoU_pFzqFMlCzkNeUpVbo8QEKi3K4IgPVf2FkRxWiL0lXCRr9G6lDv3ukq3i_djdmvl_IQEDEU4XD4jCJkM8yjJ8j5FWtT47p2t1Nb7zis/s320/IMG_7684.JPEG" width="320" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplUWt2AzQnN8h9xk3QzvzW-ESPLNEguAdmMbbdY46ROAM_hyeGYE5f9iEDfqnBKfwhFN2aGPm8i1H5JdAuhLvgkv-Qt1ZJq8MN3wcP9rn-3IN0x6rjmfwprzotMiOc2ed5heTTFBBVJWUe9OGRxvi9DsTCT6BssetBbgMBSbu0JxaTCApWehtabFeSBA3/s4032/IMG_7681.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplUWt2AzQnN8h9xk3QzvzW-ESPLNEguAdmMbbdY46ROAM_hyeGYE5f9iEDfqnBKfwhFN2aGPm8i1H5JdAuhLvgkv-Qt1ZJq8MN3wcP9rn-3IN0x6rjmfwprzotMiOc2ed5heTTFBBVJWUe9OGRxvi9DsTCT6BssetBbgMBSbu0JxaTCApWehtabFeSBA3/s320/IMG_7681.JPEG" width="240" /></a></p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnPwNk9SjhdfopKeJ1QKhDss8oMKe2anCod7FBKvFy26UJZxJlnb7ygEiUEdvydjzmB8sactv_F0PCv_Ob1LSP6P2s5u_WugJjWthzIuwq34_NoC78mAKIS5lYXMLYuETD-6F45lMhOzz5bsL-KdGAwq-m6_0pacF5hzdSjom6L2YYhw1q5d2iBgwhZoM/s4032/IMG_7691.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnPwNk9SjhdfopKeJ1QKhDss8oMKe2anCod7FBKvFy26UJZxJlnb7ygEiUEdvydjzmB8sactv_F0PCv_Ob1LSP6P2s5u_WugJjWthzIuwq34_NoC78mAKIS5lYXMLYuETD-6F45lMhOzz5bsL-KdGAwq-m6_0pacF5hzdSjom6L2YYhw1q5d2iBgwhZoM/w150-h200/IMG_7691.JPEG" width="150" /></a></p>Turn your back on the village, head out beyond the car park, and the vast expanse of the marsh becomes apparent<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn6AtoOhkW8wUl1yk3QZQ-iNE5vrUD29tw3I3yNvmIDqBYpd2sHcGTJurdvhUnXkVi6Uvb3SESARLWZbQgr2I9S2IJI7USdglPwIrgBO5svRitIrP61hT9NgAlBVk4KpJYycwGyIuL8HhS9ZZutLsyxF_s0l9F4Ge_qSaa6aiOMaDkX_SN6q8nD1xN-K2/s4032/IMG_7690.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn6AtoOhkW8wUl1yk3QZQ-iNE5vrUD29tw3I3yNvmIDqBYpd2sHcGTJurdvhUnXkVi6Uvb3SESARLWZbQgr2I9S2IJI7USdglPwIrgBO5svRitIrP61hT9NgAlBVk4KpJYycwGyIuL8HhS9ZZutLsyxF_s0l9F4Ge_qSaa6aiOMaDkX_SN6q8nD1xN-K2/s320/IMG_7690.JPEG" width="320" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHLWIofHHraC-CPiJ_xvW_pBeLCA3nEfsczJ4fGpuMBXxckblifEu5jX8LtomSUcFuL5AY4QE24auXZ9pltT_aDGLKHcZO3Nw4FF5QH8mejhJ5tnT7YpHJ0Gx_JVLjYjYXzhyQ9641FtvkoTiE5s70vSw-ZyIC-QMcGLzHt_5Leq15306kCMWisOLGwe7/s4032/IMG_7685.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHLWIofHHraC-CPiJ_xvW_pBeLCA3nEfsczJ4fGpuMBXxckblifEu5jX8LtomSUcFuL5AY4QE24auXZ9pltT_aDGLKHcZO3Nw4FF5QH8mejhJ5tnT7YpHJ0Gx_JVLjYjYXzhyQ9641FtvkoTiE5s70vSw-ZyIC-QMcGLzHt_5Leq15306kCMWisOLGwe7/s320/IMG_7685.JPEG" width="320" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIYIFHxV21hHKtQThosHZ9O-PNf9SHV9x6uoiAc9Appw028TnWVBlQ_6Gz-qNBAUUNNgkTcYADJdxS_KVFEE1UoT7acl2ER8H7LaZZy8eanONJ9i_fgEeVfEJUZxACyOg-CwEyhl8elHozgdy2oui-WANsuQ-IolRgSqTH10LbgWywPOs6avgMhU78v1T/s4032/IMG_7692.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIYIFHxV21hHKtQThosHZ9O-PNf9SHV9x6uoiAc9Appw028TnWVBlQ_6Gz-qNBAUUNNgkTcYADJdxS_KVFEE1UoT7acl2ER8H7LaZZy8eanONJ9i_fgEeVfEJUZxACyOg-CwEyhl8elHozgdy2oui-WANsuQ-IolRgSqTH10LbgWywPOs6avgMhU78v1T/w400-h300/IMG_7692.JPEG" width="400" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt5aT03uY9mM04gnUk-h9r3Aqklm4qFh3V_YKX5CLIa0Fy56-7syzwSi_Mns0q_6ijgZT3TOv7LVyNborR5EcudY37HwQRFUAjtwguHv2DVHfDJhVevH308Uhvr3jGFLudVWP3U-KnhopwgPLwz_9_7kgPdsEjrsN8zrkLMabiHP3oEEgAqKdUGJ6qLMz/s4032/IMG_7689.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt5aT03uY9mM04gnUk-h9r3Aqklm4qFh3V_YKX5CLIa0Fy56-7syzwSi_Mns0q_6ijgZT3TOv7LVyNborR5EcudY37HwQRFUAjtwguHv2DVHfDJhVevH308Uhvr3jGFLudVWP3U-KnhopwgPLwz_9_7kgPdsEjrsN8zrkLMabiHP3oEEgAqKdUGJ6qLMz/w400-h300/IMG_7689.JPEG" width="400" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>While others strode out along the sea defenses towards Cley next the Sea, I was content to just walk far enough to spot the windmill (centre of this pic) before turning round.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSnmtXpAsrUFwURu5ulZaJna0e-BVgFSq7_9kqst0f-nq0l6BzMp6rq5sqc8aY_D_HtzU662Wkbsm_xnDkyThh3CJNQt562Q6El-QWULGZ-aYtYZkC5t5r1_ognZQe3SfRvkzqdwUn0Xd3Mu0Oltdx2Q20bayCHdNaw5_wyLzrdeCfGXNjk6vxrjhmGUM/s4032/IMG_7693.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSnmtXpAsrUFwURu5ulZaJna0e-BVgFSq7_9kqst0f-nq0l6BzMp6rq5sqc8aY_D_HtzU662Wkbsm_xnDkyThh3CJNQt562Q6El-QWULGZ-aYtYZkC5t5r1_ognZQe3SfRvkzqdwUn0Xd3Mu0Oltdx2Q20bayCHdNaw5_wyLzrdeCfGXNjk6vxrjhmGUM/w200-h150/IMG_7693.JPEG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XD3CQFUOKWEYbslbx_jxU6QLwSgjMcNLBKX98PBL6hLl7uRhXnFWiZI7ROD77gUpar56t6B1HgYOjqCp5LMcnTbjx1zGSO_37GYorVn3ZagPtxXUJ0oeNUzXe9_tN0cx-jrZlHiCzq-RsKlQ-B4-s2l7Cfq6CeofNTr-A8udekN9QxjKPZMb-MQ_7phg/s4032/IMG_7695.JPEG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XD3CQFUOKWEYbslbx_jxU6QLwSgjMcNLBKX98PBL6hLl7uRhXnFWiZI7ROD77gUpar56t6B1HgYOjqCp5LMcnTbjx1zGSO_37GYorVn3ZagPtxXUJ0oeNUzXe9_tN0cx-jrZlHiCzq-RsKlQ-B4-s2l7Cfq6CeofNTr-A8udekN9QxjKPZMb-MQ_7phg/w150-h200/IMG_7695.JPEG" width="150" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Along the way we stopped for cake from Birdy's Bakehouse trailer on the quay - and very good cake it was, too, and I loved the 'you look amazing' sign which greeted customers.<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkyP6I8ayos9EVdb3NjUzesEbLVhXk44EzSAfDrKMBpVu58A5JL7ENf4Jz0NjulOPb1TtNgJ46-Lp0EgrBPNmIU0GwnV1DytvMfpMZIlVGFnX9n92UmRNHiE85fLMe1wrGqIToSgU2vRmSkI91jC5rdp8Wtp-aBj_l-fD5FJlo43c9Qsaofa0yyGkSPCs/s4032/IMG_7698.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkyP6I8ayos9EVdb3NjUzesEbLVhXk44EzSAfDrKMBpVu58A5JL7ENf4Jz0NjulOPb1TtNgJ46-Lp0EgrBPNmIU0GwnV1DytvMfpMZIlVGFnX9n92UmRNHiE85fLMe1wrGqIToSgU2vRmSkI91jC5rdp8Wtp-aBj_l-fD5FJlo43c9Qsaofa0yyGkSPCs/s320/IMG_7698.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br />And then we headed back by a different route past old cottages and warehouses.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75J2hQAOpUsgDuj6yi-6RNbK0HDVNOrXdSUDVTnwn2gpFi-9kbb8lx3vAlOL1tjBCL67xxTJdQb0GAlbA2kgkB9K9ube7sXqmZiUbgmA9_MIzesGJ2tCOI3ccCOlMct6LukO4qHPqhKs-iJFRhmUbFUKdorqAZjZV4f_OBtgwhh1Be5fhnNAs6O4ef9d0/s4032/IMG_7696.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75J2hQAOpUsgDuj6yi-6RNbK0HDVNOrXdSUDVTnwn2gpFi-9kbb8lx3vAlOL1tjBCL67xxTJdQb0GAlbA2kgkB9K9ube7sXqmZiUbgmA9_MIzesGJ2tCOI3ccCOlMct6LukO4qHPqhKs-iJFRhmUbFUKdorqAZjZV4f_OBtgwhh1Be5fhnNAs6O4ef9d0/w400-h300/IMG_7696.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuUBzol-zUVGTvIrWLqa29DKJbR2pfowFitAV1KoJJU-DpO0dzKcDcNzWBriJ2jONq1Aoffw4JEZrV6ljPqLT5LdL8J_8mIRhHUL7YiMJDa66L-HVxw81Rh02DDxCIn6k3OO5DQqQzq963DkOgIqbruCxvM6Iw2oAJSXJ6Rx_1bXCGorWFtEdGl5R-R9P/s4032/IMG_7699.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuUBzol-zUVGTvIrWLqa29DKJbR2pfowFitAV1KoJJU-DpO0dzKcDcNzWBriJ2jONq1Aoffw4JEZrV6ljPqLT5LdL8J_8mIRhHUL7YiMJDa66L-HVxw81Rh02DDxCIn6k3OO5DQqQzq963DkOgIqbruCxvM6Iw2oAJSXJ6Rx_1bXCGorWFtEdGl5R-R9P/s320/IMG_7699.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>maryomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18265044617480788043noreply@blogger.com0