Into October

October already, where did September go?  It seems to have passed by so quickly.  We've had wet days and gloriously golden days.  Rich in warmth and colour.

Above October's calendar picture by textile artist Kate Findlay.  Below a photo of the Amelanchier tree in the garden taken from our bedroom window.  The window sticker is to stop birds flying into the glass, which they have been known to do from the trees beyond our hedge.

On Tuesday we took our usual weekly walk around Trentham Gardens,  The skies were blue, the weather was calm and warm and Autumnal colours were everywhere.

It was an almost perfect day.  I say almost because I have been struggling health wise over the last couple of weeks.  I'll be back soon as hopefully I will have a couple of future visits to share with you.

Take care.

Busy

 The first three days of September have been busy with work on the conservatory taking up to two or three days of each week.  All was completed yesterday and now we are getting back to normal and things are finally finding their homes again.

In between the work and also the rain we've had a couple of days out and about.  

When we visit the Peak Wildlife Park we always head straight for the Red Pandas.  There are two sisters Esha and Riya.  They are both gorgeous.

We also always look for the Red Squirrels and this one was spotted scampering about.

I've realised that I'm drawn to 'Red'  animals and our Red Fox garden visitor is always welcome.  Having said that I'm also fond of cats and hares.

A few days ago we visited Little Moreton Hall in our quest to visit all the nearby National Trust properties at least once this year.  We've now done all three local ones.  It's time to venture further afield.

I've taken you to Little Moreton Hall, a moated manor house, many times on this blog, usually for special events at Christmas or Midsummer.

I've added a few more photos of things that caught my eye during our visit which included lunch of a cheese scone in the tiny tea shop.

All for now.  Take care.

A Day Out

After having workmen in the house, well conservatory, every day this week we thought it would be nice to have a few hours away from home.  We decided to visit Shugborough Hall as we hadn't been there since last year.

Shugborough Hall is a National Trust property just a few miles south of us and close to the county town of Stafford.  It was the family home of the Anson family from about 1624. Here is a -link- to more information about how the house and estate developed.  More recently it was the home of Patrick Anson, the 5th Earl of Lichfield and noted fashion photographer, a first cousin once removed of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

We walked from the car park and reception area via the walled garden.  After refreshments we walked around the gardens and down to the Essex Bridge and then went into the servant's quarters, we didn't go into the mansion or the farm yard this time as we caught the little bus back to the car park.

I'll let the photos do the talking now.

It was good to have a break before the work begins again tomorrow. The new roof is on and has been rained on quite heavily this afternoon. The next step is plastering and re-wiring inside.

All for now.  

Birthday, Fox and the last two Wallabies

 A lovely day on Thursday with two cousins, a second cousin various spouses and a dog.  Lots of happy chatter and a house full of flowers and cake.  Where have all the years gone?

Such beautiful flowers, the living room has been taken over by the delicate scent of lilies.

The larger bouquet above has been split into two vases,  I'm hoping they last a while.

We'd told everyone about our fox and badger visitors and right on cue Mr Fox appeared much to everyone's delight.  He looks a bit concerned because he's not used to there being a dog in this house.

As promised in my last post here are the last two of the ten wallabies on the Where's Wallaby trail I first mentioned  here.  Not necessarily in the order we found them.

Above is Wojtek illustrated by Joanna Dawidowska in collaboration with the Leek Polish Connection.  This one is at Tittesworth Reservoir, Meerbrook.

Above is Woody on the woodland walk in Dimmingsdale near Alton.  He's painted by Jim Mcshee in collaboration with Tean Youth Club.

Next week we are having a new conservatory roof fitted.  We had booked this in before we had the problem with the main house roof which I described in an earlier post.  So more noise and dust for the next week or two.  Thankfully no scaffolding!

Is anyone else having soaring views on their posts?  I've gone from usually no more than a hundred views to more than two thousand five hundred on my last post.  I've been told it's 'AI bots.'  All a bit worrying.  What to do?  For the moment keep calm and carry on.  

See you in September.

Looking Autumnal

The tulip tree leaves are turning yellow already.  It's a very Autumnal thing but it could also be lack of any decent showers of rain lately.  Leaves are also falling on the top lawn.  August is fast fading.

The garden is looking uncared for, although work has been done.

Especially on clearing the gravel path of weeds.

Heleniums and Echinaceas are doing well.

There is a small apple on the small apple tree.

Out and about on our walks there have been plenty of berries and fungi too.

There is now a slight chill in the morning air and jackets, admittedly lightweight ones, have been worn again first thing.

Can you bear another Wallaby?  I hope so.  This one is Nibbles.

He's at Rudyard Lake, near the café.  He was illustrated by Hannah Walton and Beki Kremer in collaboration with Leek and District foodbank.

The last two next time.