Rain …and more rambling around

It was the comforting sound of rain pattering  against the windows that greeted us this morning when we finally awoke.

Anyway, I think it’s comforting …especially with the knowledge, that if we wished,   we could  stay  tucked up inside our cottage.

…we wished!!!

Could it be all the walking …?

Or could it be,  that we stayed up frightfully late looking at funny stuff on TV…?? Probably a combination of the two …In any case, we were MORE than happy to have a slow start to the day.  

The day was noticeably cooler than yesterday, so Arthur grabbed the opportunity to put a match to the fire already set in our fireplace – very cheery!

(…the thought occurs – it’s nearly time to return to an Australian summer …gosh!)

Sometime later, the sky lighter and the rain having petered out, we drove up to the main car park …and walked.

Along to The House, around onto the large terrace overlooking The Parterre, and finally back along the edge of a large park area …and finally returned to the car park.

I pottered in to the House …chatted for a while to a friendly man who works there ….had a look at the Afternoon Tea menu (and was told there was room for tomorrow…!), and generally enjoyed the wood panelling, the portraits, the beautiful staircase …and the atmosphere of quiet elegance.

Even without the sunshine we enjoyed the herbaceous borders flanking the Forecourt lawn – hot colours on one side, and cool colours on the other.

Also the pretty Dovecote …and the  Italianate clock tower that was built in 1861, with it’s lovely blue faced and gold surround clock on each of the four sides.

A very cunning tower this – it’s actually that water tower supplying the House. Clever!!

And from up high on the Terrace the view across the Parterre and off into the distance that is Buckinghamshire, was glorious.

Later in the afternoon, at about the time of day when it’s very nearly dusk, I strolled along the river path for a short while.

Everything was still …and SO quiet … the reflections looked soft and muted – just beautiful!!

And our swans came over again, hoping for something to eat. What would YOU do? – I certainly couldn’t disappoint them…  

…then back inside – where the fire is still crackling in a friendly manner.