Three Statelys in a Week

View over Rydal Water

The preamble is a trip from Rydal, up Herons Pike (lunch), with a view over Grasmere, along the ridge to Great Rigg, and down (thighs still sore) to Grasmere.

Grasmere is famous for Andrew and Margaret visiting the gingerbread shop and buying and embarasingly large amount for consumption in a local cafe...where we also viewed this fine pair of Goosanders.

Stately One;  Holker Hall.  Like the queen, some aristocrats have numerous houses and too much stuff to fill them with.  In 1872, when a wing of Lord Cavendish's mansion burnt down, he rebuilt in on a grand scale.

His dad at Chatsworth had some spare junk to put in it, and the place was ready for royal visits. 

After the revolution ....(shut up Andrew.)

Here is a picture of Elizabeth shinning up a tree.

Sately Two; Levens Hall.  Not far from Elizabeth Bennett's minor stately, is this ancient topiary hot spot.

Unfortunately Elizabeth got her head stuck...

Spring flower (before winter set in the following day) were in abundance.  

Snakes Head Fritilery

Auntie Elizabeth wasn't feeling too great which was sad, but she was able to make a trip to the sea.

Stately Three; Buscot House.

Superboy saves the day- with a little help from his friends.

We celebrated Frances birthday on the 6th April in Wantage.  Here we found an egg growing Tree, or is it a tree growing eggs?  On Saturday we visited Buscot House, freshly cleaned for the new season.  

Burn-Jones- Sleeping Beauty

On tour from Xian

Lord Faringdon descending the steps of Buscot House - Sickert