We're back from France.

Actually we have been back over a week but we have been so busy.We had a full day trip to Dudmaston Hall near Bridgnorth with our Art Appreciation Group.It houses great collection of modern and contemporary art plus wonderful sculptures in the garden.We had a night out on Thursday with a gang of our local friends then Friday is was off up the M56 to meet up with 5 of my college friends and their husbands.We meet twice a year and it is amazing after all this time( I won't say how long!) that we are all still alive and with the same partners.Saturday morning saw my brother in law coming to stay until today.He spends most of his time in Kenya but also has a UK base in Newcastle on Tyne.Sarah and family came over on Sunday to join us.So it has been pretty hectic dealing with all this and trying to catch up with mail,washing ,garden etc.
We had a good time in France.The weather was mixed but not the rain we expected.In fact, no rain until the last day.We are off to Croatia on July 10th for a week.The first package holiday we have done in years.I'd better get together another set of books.Any recommendations?

Away for two weeks.

We are off to France tomorrow for two weeks.Folkestone tomorrow night,taking in Knole(NT) on the way.It is an awful journey for us from here in North Wales.We have to cope with traffic!!Friday night will be in Chartres staying at the Ibis right by the cathedral.Then off to Ballan near to La Rochelle for two weeks.I have just looked at the weather and basically it is going to rain,rain,rain.Let's hope it doesn't last for two weeks.I have a pile of books,CDs,cross stitch,knitting,puzzles etc.

Two gardens

Two gardens in two days and what a contrast.Today we visited Eaton Hall garden just outside Chester.Eaton Hall is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.He used to be regarded as the richest man in England and this is his place.They open the gardens three times a year for charity.This is the courtyard.

The chapel.

This is the view back to the house.It isn't the nicest looking house but has been improved by putting a pitched roof on replacing the original flat one.

There were smaller lakes and in the distance a huge lake.Just look at these sculptures!

This is the Dragon Garden and pond.

The building on the left hosts the Camellia Walk but it was past its best.How about this in your garden?

Beautiful flowers.Many varieties of iris.

Superb peonies.

There is a fab exhibition of carriages.You can just imagine getting into these in a novel.

This is a magnificent state carriage.














So that was Eaton Hall today.I forgot to mention the walled kitchen garden.really interesting.It was £5 to go in,all going to charity.It is well worth a visit.It is open again on 24th July and the 28th August.

In contrast yesterday we visited a garden open under the NGS scheme.A private garden on a housing estate.Such a surprise to go through the side gate and see all this.

This is a hen house.







Looking down the garden.

A little hut for the children to play in.

This was the owner's piece de resistance.His own Bothy at the bottom of the garden.A log fire was burning,a stained glass window installed,two armchairs and a selection of beers.What else could a man/woman want.

Another garden tomorrow?Maybe.I love looking round gardens.

Help.Problems!

I am having problems posting comments on some blogs.It just keeps returning me to signing in,I sign in ,type my message,press post comment and it goes back to signing in again and so it goes on.I can't find any help on blogger.Has anyone else had this problem and what do I do?

message for Kathy

Kathy-I have tried five times to leave a comment on your blog but I can't make it work so I hope you read this.Regarding your last post I think you have been amazing over the last year.I have followed your blog and you have been so positive.Not long until half term and then a summer holiday without daily visits to Clatterbridge.Enjoy.

What a relief

Mike had his appointment yesterday and it was good news.They had thought the tumour was attached to his carotic artery but the detailed scan has shown it is not.it is around it but not attached.Also they don't think it is growing because it is not releasing hormones.So they are not doing anything just monitoring.We are so relieved because surgery would have been risky.I got up this morning feeling such a load had been lifted.

Today's distraction-Conway

We had a trip to Conway today.Conway Castle was built for English King Edward 1 between 1283 and 1287 and is now a World Heritage site.It has 8 towers and is very impressive.

look the other way from the castle and this is the view.

A huge sculpture of mussells!!

We then went and had a pub lunch.We need distracting this weekend as our son in law has his appointment at Christies on Monday when they will discuss what they are going to do about his brain tumour.It is crunch time.We are all very anxious and he has only been given 3 days notice of the appointment suggesting an air of urgency.I am so worried.We will go over and look after 3yr old Ruby so Sarah can go with him..They are due to go on holiday next weekend.