A Few Ramblings…
Forty-six year old Christian happily negotiating the world with a wife and three daughters
Visit to Greys Court – 1st April 2013
It seems that the changing of the month had hardly any effect on the long-standing cold weather which has persisted during March and the Bank Holiday Monday following Easter was as cold as any day over the preceding weeks.
Undeterred, we donned our winter coats and hats (again!) and struck out for our second visit to Greys Court. Our first visit was back in April 2011, when we had enjoyed much warmer weather and were able to enjoy a picnic outside!
This time around, we took mum with us and also arranged to meet my sister and her family over there.
We drove over after lunch and arrived to find the car park almost full and space at a premium. Fortunately we managed to park without too many problems and located Heather and her family, who were also in the car park, before we walked up towards the house.
Walking up from the car park
First view of Greys Court
With all the tickets for tours around the house having already been allocated, we contented ourselves with a look around the many different gardens that Greys Court has to offer.
Emily trying for a closer look
Fruit trees
A splash of colour
Hugh and the girls in the maze
The welcome sight of spring daffodils
Tulips in an old barrow
More spring colour
Mum trying to shelter from the wind
The press rushing for position
Rebekah
Not much sign of wisteria or bluebells this year!
Rebekah having an issue with her lace
Holly
Martin enjoying the warm weather
Relections
Gathered around the pond
Another view of Greys Court
After looking around for a while, a few of us decided to brave the climb up to the top of the tower and were greeted by both an impressive view and a chilly wind.
Looking down from the tower
Looking down across the garden to the car park
Another view of the pond
Looking down the Scots Pine beside the tower
Weather vane
Eventually, defeated by the cold, we gathered in a crowded restaurant for a restorative brew and a chance to defrost.
Holly in the restaurant
Emily looking cheeky
As we emerged outside, so did the sun and we were at least able to take a handful of photos which gave the impression of warm, spring weather!
Finally some sunshine!
While the others left to head home, we made our ubiquitous visit to the shop and the girls were all able to make a purchase.
Emily checking out a mirror in the shop
Spring sunshine
Another view on the way back to the car park
Later on, we finished off the Bank Holiday by having mum round to tea and Sarah provided her usual good spread for such an occasion.
Part of the spread for tea
One of the latest possible Easters is now over. All we need now is for some springlike weather!
March walk to Cookham Dean – 31st March 2013
As March prepared to turn into April, we found just found time to complete our Monthly Walk to Cookham Dean.
This time, the rest of the family decided to join Rebekah and me and we duly made our way up the hill on a chilly Easter Sunday afternoon.
We were surprised to spot that the long-standing cedar tree, despite having been dead for some time, had sadly fallen since our last walk.
This tree was known in our family as the ‘second tree’, when I was growing up. The ‘first tree’ was located next to the barn now hidden by trees at the left of this shot and came down in the 1987 storm. The two trees became markers for walks – ‘Let’s just walk up to the first tree.’ etc. Now both have gone.
In Cookham Dean, work is continuing on the new vestry at the church and there are finally a few signs of spring, although the trees are as yet still remaining resolutely closed down for winter.
Late dusting of snow – 23rd March 2013
Snowfall in late March isn’t unusual in the United Kingdom, although the sheer amount that fell in parts of the country was unusual.
In the south we only had a light dusting. It was quite enough. After one of the coldest winters that I can remember, Holly wasn’t alone when she said that she was fed up with the snow and cold and just wanted to ‘wear summer clothes’!
The snow and cold weather has also put paid to any further work on the vegetable plot where nothing has been done since the early, enthusiastic digging of mid February!
Hopefully spring weather will soon arrive.
Early snow on the car
Snow around the budding magnolia at mum’s house
Looking up towards the vegetable plot
Primroses in the snow
Visit to Auntie Myrtle – 17th March 2013
We don’t get to visit my Auntie Myrtle (dad’s sister) as often as we should do, despite the fact that she lives in a nursing home in Maidenhead.
This time, I decided to take the camera with me and grab a photo of her with the girls.
Auntie Myrtle with Holly, Rebekah and Emily
A Few Ramblings... 