Day 151 - May 31st (Bank Holiday)

First BBQ of the year.

Day 150 - May 30th

This afternoon we spent a few hours in the sunshine at Wrest Park. 

Many of the formal gardens weren't planted up yet, but there were still plenty of other colourful plants

We were lucky to see the Swans and their cygnets and also a Heron taking a rest on the river bank.

Day 149 - May 29th

The oil seed rape is now evident all over the parish and one of our favourite dog walks takes us alongside one such field.

Day 148 - May 28th

I borrowed some old slides from my Mum & Dad and have been copying them. I've found lots of fantastic photos from my childhood.

Day 147 - May 27th

Cosmos.

Day 146 - May 26th

Someone had her hair cut today.

Day 145 - May 25th

A pot plant I can't kill.

Day 144 - May 24th

Beautiful wallflowers.

 

Day 143 - May 23rd

Sunday morning walk.

Day 142 - May 22nd

This morning Wayne & I had our second Covid Vaccination at Chells Manor Community Centre, Stevenage. We weren't due have our shots for a couple of weeks but due to the vaccination centre we had originally booked to attend changing the type of vaccine they were administering, we had to rebook to go somewhere else. It actually meant we could go a couple of weeks earlier.

Day 141 - May 21st

The Pinks in my Mum & Dad's garden are starting to flower.

Day 140 - May 20th

Tonight we went to the Drive in Cinema in the grounds of Knebworth House. We saw Star Wars A New Hope. It was good evening, despite rain showers, and I'd definitely go again.

Day 139 - May 19th

We only have one apple tree left in the garden but it has lots of fruit forming this year.

Day 138 - May 18th

 So pretty.

Day 137 - May 17th

Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup

Day 136 - May 16th

I made a birthday card for a friend.

Day 135 - May 15th

More scrapbooking.

Day 134 - May 14th

We planted these pansies last year in tubs and they are still looking beautiful.

Day 133 - May 13th

Lily of the Valley.

Day 132 - May 12th

Bluebells.

Day 131 - May 11th

Today I watched the State Opening of Parliament on the television. It was slightly different to the usual event with the queen in 'civvies; and fewer MPs due to Covid restrictions.

Day 130 - May 10th

The bees are enjoying a spot of sunshine.

Day 129 - May 9th

With the weather being very wet and cold, Sunday afternoons appear to be becoming a regular time for paper crafting.

Day 128 - May 8th

Wayne slow roasted some BBQ ribs this evening. They were delicious.

Day 127 - May 7th

White Bluebells.

Day 126 - May 6th

Mum & Dada gave me this Kalanchoe plant for Easter. It looks lovely in fully bloom.

Day 125 - May 5th

Just Tux.

Day 124 - May 4th

The daisies are taking over the garden.

Day 123 - May 3rd

 Chocolate cookies hot out of the oven.

Day 122 - May 2nd

Craft time.

Day 121 - May 1st

Today we took Lara to the south coast to meet up with some friends. Whilst Lara met her friends, Wayne & I visited Herstmonceux Castle.

Built in the 15th century the castle is set in 300 acres of woodland and garden, Whilst the castle building wasn't open to the public we were able to spend time looking round the gardens and grounds.

Set inside the original walled garden, The Sundial & Rose Garden are a reminder that the castle was home to The Royal Greenwich Observatory from 1946-89.

At the centre of the garden is a huge sundial and smaller sundials can be found among the rose bushes surrounding this.

Sadly we were too early to see the roses in flower but there were still plenty of other flowers in the other gardens and woodlands.

Whilst on the woodland walk we came across the Folly built by the owner of Herstmonceux Castle from 1933-46.

In the woods the bluebells were flowering.

We stumbled across two carved hares.....

..... and a swing (I couldn't resist).

Back in the formal gardens we sat and enjoyed takeaway cake and drinks from the tea room.

One of the castle residents was quite interested in the cake and eagerly looking for crumbs.

All in all it was a good day, although we did have to dodge the rain showers a couple of times and would certainly make a return visit if the opportunity arose.