We had such a lovely time today at Little Moreton Hall where they were celebrating Midsummer in exuberant form.
You can see from the board below what super things were on offer. Plenty to see and do and join in with.
One of our favourite bands - Piva - were playing in the Orchard and also leading the midsummer parade of St George and the Dragon.
Above Piva are getting ready to play
In the pretty, summery tent you could sit and make a tussie mussie. So of course I did.
A tussie mussie is a small posy or nosegay made from fragrant wild flowers and herbs tied together and was carried in Tudor times and earlier when venturing out to ward off diseases like the plague.
I also wrote a message for the wishing tree
The parade was lead by Piva. You can see St George at the back.
There was a Dragon too held up by the children.
After the parade we went inside the Hall to look around - it was unusually quiet - I loved this view of the orchard through the window.
I was wandering around looking at the windows and I saw something I hadn't taken in before and that was the dogs and the wolf's head in the stained glass. All the times I've visited and I hadn't noticed them before. The wolf's head was the Moreton family crest.
We had a walk around the gardens and then it was time to go back to listen to Piva play.
We sat with our picnic - accompanied by ducks and listened to the music.
It was a lovely summer's early afternoon and there was a slight cooling breeze, the birds were singing, people were murmuring and the whole atmosphere was just delightful.
A perfect way to celebrate the Summer Solstice. x
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed, Simone:)
DeleteSounds and looks like a fantastic day Rosie!! What a beautiful house and garden. A perfect way to spend midsummer. xx
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect day for the parade and the music, everyone was happy and relaxed and enjoying themselves:)
DeleteWhat a wonderful time !
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
I must make a tussie mussie for fun .
Oh, yes do make a Tussie Mussie - so simple - I put mine in a little water when I got home and it is still okay except for the fennel. I'm going to make one later with herbs from the garden:)
DeleteOh for a tussie mussie - just the sound of it lifts the spirits! Looks like a wonderful day Rosie and I bet your picnic was pretty good too ;) Happy Solstice x Jane
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful name isn't it Tussie Mussie it really make you smile:)
DeleteIt's a place I've wanted to visit for a long time, wish we were nearer. The ducks look like they were enjoying the music too.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks were wandering around throught the whole performance - the real temptation for them being people's picnic crumbs of course. Little birds like sparrows and robins were landing on the tables too but they were too quick to take a photo of:)
DeleteIt all looks very un-crowded on your photos. There's something rather wonderful about the music of that period and, yes, Piva do it better than any.
ReplyDeleteWe listened to the first performance at about 12.45 so it was quieter then, by the time we were leaving the place was filling up and the car park full. Piva are very, very good:)
DeleteWhat superb day!!! The tussie mussie looks so pretty ...I imagine its fragance must be wonderful.. The music and the medieval atmosphere is charming. I 'm glad you have enjoyed such beautiful experience.
ReplyDeleteThe music certainly gets you tapping your toes and at the end we wre all joining in with clapping and etc. The tussie mussie smelt wonderful - I'm going to make another one with herbs from our garden:)
DeleteThat looks like wonderful solstice day, I must look out for it next year, I'd have enjoyed that. The Tussie Mussie looks great :)
ReplyDeleteIt was very entertaining Louise and Piva are exceptional. I enjoyed making the tussie mussie:)
DeleteWhat a lovely way to spend a day - I guess Piva were playing something Elizabethan from the look of the instruments.
ReplyDeleteYes, Piva are noted for their rensaissance, medieval and tudor music and play on instruments made as authentic as possible:)
DeleteWhat a good way to spend a Summer's day! I would have loved listening to Tudor music in an atmospheric setting. A beautiful stained glass window panel. I'm sure if you go to such a place often you notice something different of interest each time.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely day, Linda and as we were there early we missed the crowds that came later. I don't know how I missed the stained glass before but it was lovely to see it:)
DeleteSounds like a wonderful day - it's several years since I visited Little Moreton Hall though it's on my home patch of Cheshire so not that far away. Might try and get there again this summer.
ReplyDeleteI always love visiting Little Moreton, it isn't too far for us to get to and they have loads of interesting events through the year too. I like it in all seasons:)
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