At the weekend....

We ventured to Calke Abbey, a National Trust property in Ticknall, Derbyshire.

Hubby was running in a 10K, and Violet and myself entered the Fun Run (Ha Ha!!).

Violet started off running with me, but soon realised that I was slowing her down and sped up.

She came in as the 5th girl.

Husband didn't embarrass himself either.

I think I should just stick to taking photos of pumpkins and deer.

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Snowshill Manor & Garden

The weekend before last, on a beautiful Autumn morning, we decided to hop in the car and drive somewhere new.  We ended up in the Cotswold's visiting Snowshill Manor.  

The manor houses the extraordinary collection of Charles Wade.  Comprising of thousands of things, from spinning wheels, keys, and clocks, to musical instruments, Samurai armour and Chinese picnic boxes.  Every room is crammed full of treasures from all over the World.  

The gardens are very pretty too.

On the day we visited, there was also an Apple Festival going on.  Over 400 varieties were on display.

Instead of Apple Bobbing, they held an Apple Fishing competition.

Here are just a few photos of the treasures inside the house.  You'll have to excuse the quality of some of them. Unfortunately, there wasn't that much natural light available.

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Have you ever seen so many spinning wheels all in one place before?  

This is Charles Wade's bedroom. He didn't actually live in the Manor House, but in a quaint little Priest's House with only a few rooms.

This is part of a quilled picture.  It was really hard to photograph as it was behind glass and housed in a very dingy room.  It's absolutely amazing.  I dread to think how many hours of work went into this piece.

Hope you enjoyed that little trip.

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Greyfriars House, Worcester

On a very wet Bank Holiday Monday, we drove to Worcester to visit Greyfriars House.

It was built in 1480, but what I found fascinating was the story of the brother and sister (Matley & Elsie Moore) who lived in the property from the 1940's until the 1980's.

The interiors, including all the furniture, belong to the Moore family, and this is how they actually lived.

Matley & Elsie saved the property from demolition and started to restore it.  Apparently collecting glass/windows from bomb damaged buildings during WWII. 

The siblings are also responsible for saving the timber framed shops opposite from demolition too.  Giving these to The National Trust on the understanding that they have to stay as commercial premises, not even allowing the rooms above to be rented out. 

They gave Greyfriars to The National Trust in 1966. Though they continued to live in the property until their deaths in the 1980's.

Love this bowl.

This was Matley Moore's actual bed. Can you imagine sleeping in this room in the 1980's? 

Did you see the start and end dates for the sampler above?  Commenced 1851, when Georgina was 8 years old.  Completed in 1926 when she was 83.  That's one hell of a work in progress.

This one's a beauty.  Don't you think? I love all the flower detail.

Hope you enjoyed this little outing.

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Wightwick Manor

If you love all things Pre-Raphaelite and William Morris, then you'll love Wightwick Manor.

Unfortunately, photographs were not permitted of the interiors, which was such a shame.  William Morris wallpaper and tapestries covered the walls.  There were paintings by Burne-Jones and Rossetti to admire.  It was all stunning.

For a Pre-Raphaelite lover like myself, this place was an absolute dream.

Can you make out the writing just underneath this window?

It says:  Welcome ever smiles and farewell goes out sighing.

This is by far, one of the best National Trust properties we've visited.

We'll definitely be back for another visit.

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Moseley Old Hall

 Last Sunday we visited Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire for the very first time.

It's not very big, but is really quaint and charming, with a pretty flower garden, knot garden, as well as a small wooded area.  

Moseley Old Hall is famous for hiding King Charles II after he fled the battle of Worcester in 1651, and Oliver Cromwell.

Isn't the knot garden pretty?

There is supposed to be a resident Peacock, but however hard we searched for him, he proved elusive.  Though we did buy a few of his beautiful tail feathers as a reminder of the lovely day we'd had.

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Yesterday we ventured to one of my favourite local places, Baddesley Clinton.

If you visit before the house is due to open, you can wonder around the grounds, and garden in relative solitude.  There are no crowds, and it's positively bliss.  Especially on such a glorious morning as yesterday.

There were lots of fluffy ducklings to count, basking in the sunshine.

Isn't it a beautiful place?

Violet and her dad had a go at Pooh Sticks.

If someone could come to my garden and recreate this little spot, I'd be most appreciative.

Just look at those Lupins. Beautiful.

oooooh, and those Irises and Aquilegias.

This is the side view of the house from the garden.

Violet admiring the garden, and telling me all about the roses she'd like to plant in our own garden.  She sounds like a budding Rachel De Thame.

Hope you liked the little tour.

We also did a butterfly hunt - I'll show you our finds tomorrow.

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