Elvaston Castle
Through May there was a sort of bit of sunshine and the other stuff, but warmth was increasing. By the end of the middle of the month the allotment was well dug, the potatoes were showing and Irene was sowing seed and planting out. The temperature fell towards the end of May.
On the 7th we had an opportunity to take up our friends, Paul and Mary's, invitation to walk from their bungalow in Borrowash to Elvaston Castle. This would be followed by lunch in their home and then to help them with some gardening. The morning was generally bright and so off we set. The gardening never happened as the rain started after lunch.
Elvaston Castle is really only a country house set in parkland.
This was our inspiration to go on to the castle and find the tea room.
After refreshments we went on through the gardens and out by the lake to see more young waterbirds.
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Lea Gardens and Crich Stand
For some unaccountable reason we went out on the following Thursday when the sky was much bluer. This was the follow up to the few rhododendrons at Elveston. It was Paul and Mary's wedding anniversary and we took them with us.
This was the second time we had been to Lea Gardens near Matlock. The first time was in 2012 after our extended stay in NZ. Then we went in June as the blossoms were coming to an end. This time the blossoms were are their best.
After coffee, which was without cake, we entered the garden going through a stone arch in a stone wall that had beautiful flowers growing out of it. Apparently the cakes the ladies had seen were of the most delicious variety, but the ladies had Paul's welfare at heart.
Once inside their was a good photo opportunity to produce something for our friend's anniversary.
I printed it and put it in a frame. Paul said that it was the best photograph that he had of himself. In fact I presented it to them the following evening at the dance. I did mean to embarrass them as I called them out to lead everyone in a waltz.
There was so much colour. Even the white blooms were brilliant.
At one point Paul came across a dog. It looks as if the lady is afraid that Paul is going to hit it with my tripod. We do not get embarrassed when Paul does off-the-wall things.
In the pond we spied newts. This albino one stood out.
Most of the garden allows for circular walks but one goes up to the highest point were there is a fixed seat and a swing seat. Once again Irene was not too comfortable on the swing seat. I still do not know how she managed the swing bridge over the Buller Gorge.
In the same way as we had done 2 years ago we made our way into Crich and to the bakery known as the 'Loaf'. We had enjoyed the salads there before. Paul spied pork pie. There was no pork pie. He ordered something else. That too was off. Eventually we were all able to enjoy a pleasant meal.
Next we made our way to Crich Stand. This is a regimental memorial and this time it was open and we could pay the staggering sum of 20p each to go up. There certainly are commanding views.
One of the pictures shows a tram from the Tramway Museum going by the quarry. Tonight (28th) we discovered that low level nuclear waste is buried there and local villagers are protesting about the plan to build houses on the site.
After a final picture of the wise three it was time to go home.
It was a sunny morning with blue skies but the grass was very wet from the continuing, frequent rain. We arrived too early for refreshments and so we went a walk around the back of the hall until we could see the very symmetrical view of the hall.
It was getting close to coffee time so we went back to the hall. We came to a courtyard which was beautifully hung with wisteria.
From here we could see a strange sundial on the church. To it looked as if it could only indicate the time to 11.30 and it was one hour slow.
Checking up I found the following information from another blogger. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3523834
'All Saints Church in the grounds of Kedleston Hall. A sundial, above which is a carved stone skull,bears the words "Wee Shail", which is said to mean " we shall soon (sun) die (dial), a sort of Memento Mori.'
As we were about to leave a young lady told us that she had just opened the church. It was very much a 'family church'. It had the tombs of passed family members, very private boxed in pews and sunken circular effigies of a type we had not seen before. Actually we still could not see them because of health and safety concerns.
The sun continued to shine and so we sat outside to enjoy our scones with jam and cream.
There was a magnificent view of the park from where we sat.
We had been given a list of walks and chose a short walk to the left of the bridge. It was simply a walk to where the water met the road and then back to the bridge along the other side.
On the way to the bridge I stopped to take one of my shots that had a short exposure time. This allows for good depth of focus but a tripod and remote are needed.
Again it poured with rain. I had an afternoon appointment at the hospital. We started our visit with a delicious muffin and coffee at the 'Muffin Break' in Broadmarsh. Then we went up to see the latest exhibition at the Nottingham Contemporary.
The exhibition was a collection of works from the Arts Council Collection and was called 'Somewhat Abstract'. We had several firsts. It was the first time we had seen the same exhibit in two different places. The first time we saw the chandelier flashing out a poem in Morse code was at Tate Modern Liverpool. We also saw our first Yoko Ono and it was the first time that we had seen work by Barbara Hepworth. http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/hepworth-spring-t12278
After this we made our way through the pouring rain roughly in the direction of The Victoria Centre. By some strange coincidence we first came to Gee Dees and I was able to purchase some bits for the model.
Irene was able to purchase what she came for when we got to the centre. After sandwiches we legged it back to the coach station and on to the QMC. The examination showed that I had no retinal damage but was getting the signs of old age.
I had heard that one of my ex-pupils had become a bus driver. I'm not getting on this bus as I looked Reece Dunn in the eye. He actually drove very well and I felt quite proud of him for many reasons.
From this point there is a great view over the top of the garden to the countryside beyond.
Back down it was time to return to the seat that was surrounded by gunnera. Back in 2012 it was the first time that I had been photographed in my Kiwi hat. Now the hat returned with the addition of two friends.
On the way out of the garden we spied a rather dinky mini.
Next we made our way to Crich Stand. This is a regimental memorial and this time it was open and we could pay the staggering sum of 20p each to go up. There certainly are commanding views.
One of the pictures shows a tram from the Tramway Museum going by the quarry. Tonight (28th) we discovered that low level nuclear waste is buried there and local villagers are protesting about the plan to build houses on the site.
Kedleston Hall
Last year this was the second trip we made as new members of the National Trust. We chose Kedleston as we did not want to be far away. I was expecting to take delivery of the polling booths for the hall in the afternoon.It was a sunny morning with blue skies but the grass was very wet from the continuing, frequent rain. We arrived too early for refreshments and so we went a walk around the back of the hall until we could see the very symmetrical view of the hall.
'All Saints Church in the grounds of Kedleston Hall. A sundial, above which is a carved stone skull,bears the words "Wee Shail", which is said to mean " we shall soon (sun) die (dial), a sort of Memento Mori.'
As we were about to leave a young lady told us that she had just opened the church. It was very much a 'family church'. It had the tombs of passed family members, very private boxed in pews and sunken circular effigies of a type we had not seen before. Actually we still could not see them because of health and safety concerns.
There was a magnificent view of the park from where we sat.
We had been given a list of walks and chose a short walk to the left of the bridge. It was simply a walk to where the water met the road and then back to the bridge along the other side.
On the way to the bridge I stopped to take one of my shots that had a short exposure time. This allows for good depth of focus but a tripod and remote are needed.
The reflections on the lake were stunning.
Our walk was through what is described as idyllic English country side. We passed calves hiding in the long grass, statuesque trees, lambs with their mothers and a large number of duck families.
The day was a good use of National Trust membership, if only for car parking.
Saturday 24th
It was pouring with rain and we had to make our trip to Nan. We were escorted 35,000 Derby supporters on the M1. Flags and scarves festooned the cars and coaches. Some supporters stood on the motorway bridges waving flags at the vehicles below. I don't think that in all the years of travelling down the M1 we have seen such a site. Holiday traffic also joined the throng. We were only 15 minutes late and Derby lost by one goal scored by QPR in last minute.Wednesday 28th
Again it poured with rain. I had an afternoon appointment at the hospital. We started our visit with a delicious muffin and coffee at the 'Muffin Break' in Broadmarsh. Then we went up to see the latest exhibition at the Nottingham Contemporary.
The exhibition was a collection of works from the Arts Council Collection and was called 'Somewhat Abstract'. We had several firsts. It was the first time we had seen the same exhibit in two different places. The first time we saw the chandelier flashing out a poem in Morse code was at Tate Modern Liverpool. We also saw our first Yoko Ono and it was the first time that we had seen work by Barbara Hepworth. http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/hepworth-spring-t12278
After this we made our way through the pouring rain roughly in the direction of The Victoria Centre. By some strange coincidence we first came to Gee Dees and I was able to purchase some bits for the model.
Irene was able to purchase what she came for when we got to the centre. After sandwiches we legged it back to the coach station and on to the QMC. The examination showed that I had no retinal damage but was getting the signs of old age.
I had heard that one of my ex-pupils had become a bus driver. I'm not getting on this bus as I looked Reece Dunn in the eye. He actually drove very well and I felt quite proud of him for many reasons.
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