Oilseed rape: a rhapsody in yellow

On the way back from Westonbirt today we stopped so I could take photos of the yellow fields spreading across the countryside:

Somebody thought it hilariously funny to honk the horn just as I was taking a photo…!

Westonbirt Arboretum: bluebell wood

Expecting a wet weekend, decided to see if the bluebells are out in the Silk Wood at Westonbirt Arboretum today. They are, but in a week or two they will be even more impressive.

Mark (on leave today) even found an acorn seat to rest a while…

Bluebells were not the only signs of Spring among the trees…

Wildlife abounds in the woodland too:

I am sure this sly one kept moving to watch us…eek@!

We had a bite to eat in the cafe – oh my word the cod in a bread roll with tartare sauce was delicious! – and were visited by a very handsome chaffinch…

Kilver Court Gardens

Mark’s exercise today was around the gardens at Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet – just had to take a few shots of our own garden first, as the big cherry tree is looking so lovely, the bleeding heart is starting to bloom and the back lawn is a mass of violets and primroses.

We have driven past Kilver Court so many times, but this is the first time we have been in. I am not a big fan of shopping, but I understand there are designer bargains to be had there – we were there for the gardens though. Your ticket allows you to wander in and out so we went round twice, with a rather delicious lunch between tours of the garden.

I have combined the garden photos, so here’s lunch first – such a nice restaurant; not too swanky. I like anywhere that displays flowers in teapots, and the cups were charming! All very rustic and mismatched. The flan was fab and the selection of salads was awesome…spelt with rose…mmmmm!

The gardens are not huge, but are beautifully planned, with streams running around left, right and centre, ending up in a large lake.

Such a beautiful lake, and the streams add an extra dimension to the gardens.

The Summer house even had a nice leather chair, ideally placed for old blokes getting over pneumonia to have a bit of a rest!

Flowers and blossom abound!

…and bees and bee flies…

Lovely place – will definitely go back.

(Alison, if you are reading this…perhaps we could meet there sometime?)

 

 

 

 

 

Lacock Village and Abbey….again…!

Still on mission ‘get Mark fit enough to return to work’ (and not just so I can get on with some work!), we went to Lacock – yes, again. Lunch in Margaret’s tea garden at King John’s Hunting Lodge and then a stroll around Lacock Abbey grounds. The blossom is wonderful and everything is green and lush.

Margaret’s beautiful tea garden:

Lacock Abbey – we always start with the walled botanic garden and the glass house crammed with colour:

A stroll around the grounds, admiring the snakeshead fritillaries:

Mark was getting tired so sat on the wall and waited while I walked around the lake:

Then walking back through the grounds (to The Stables for raspberry pavlova icecream):

 

If you are are looking to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, head along to Lacock…never fails to be gorgeous!

 

 

 

The Bath Botanical Gardens

As a keen member of the Bath WI (and techie lady managing the website and social media) I often pop in to the Bath Botanical Gardens to check on the Bath WI community garden and take photos to share. As Mark is recovering from a really bad case of pneumonia requiring some time in hospital and is now in need of a little more exercise, we went for a stroll…and bumped in to our dear friend Kitty planting leeks!

While we were there it would have been rude not to wander around the rest of the Botanical Gardens, as they are looking so lovely in their Spring finery. The gardens are the far side of beautiful Victoria Park from the city centre.