The Most Lovely Day.

Last night I reached rock bottom...I felt awful, very depressed and unhappy about all sorts of things...it was a tough night.  Claude summed it quite well.

This morning though...

The day dawned bright and sunny and with a more positive frame of mind...

The garden glistened in the sunlight.

Even the last of the rose just looked spectacular

The sky was blue

The sun shone. 

The temperature cool and crisp, but was soon to warm up to a t shirt wearing sort of day.

It was a good day to go out to visit one of 'our' English Heritage properties.

The dogs were pleased to get out as well.  Just look at the lovely blue sky against the vibrant green grass.

Percy stops to see what is going on.

Sorry about the sun spots in this photo as we get a glimpse of the house.

Afternoon tea!

The leaves on the trees are starting to change colour.

Reflections on the stream.

The waterfall

The arbour gate leading to the  flower and vegetable gardens.

The flowers certainly didn't disappoint.

We sat in front of this little pond and waterfall (that you can't really see) for quite some time, soaking up the sunshine with the sound of running water behind us.  It really was quite something.

I decided to make that first foray into my new little travellers notebook.  I haven't touched my paintbrushes or done any art at all for over two years ago now and decided it was time to start again and what better place to do so.

It was very rough and ready!

Not quite the standard that I used to be, but hopefully I will improve, there is always room for improvement.

More beautiful flowers inside the walled garden.

I loved this row of potted plants.

I'd love to do some of these, but I would imagine they are very heavy!

More smaller indoor plants in the conservatory/glass house.

Around the garden were apple displays.  In fact they were getting ready for their Apple Festival this weekend.

Looking down the vegetable rows, they also plant rows of flowers.

I love this little shelf display - it is always a little different every time we come.

Loved these unusual sunflowers.

Stanley and Percy

A shot of the sky with the light fluffy white clouds.

Berries.

I was surprised to see this duck with her ducklings - they must have been late hatching!

Bundles of fluffy feathery cuteness

Relaxing in the sun.

The gardens in front, (or is it behind?) the house.

There is always someone!

To put it in context...why try and squeeze in when there is fields of parking?  

Such a grand property.

We took the dogs up the hill for a run off the lead.

Racing!

One last look before we headed home.

It really was the most perfect day.