Saturday 13 June 2020

Saturday

Good morning, everyone.

Yesterday really was a funny old day, a real mixture, with lots of high spots and nothing bad.

Hyde Hall was absolutely great.  I picked Jackie up at the arranged time and we got to Hyde Hall at about ten past twelve.  Yes, there was a queue to get in but it wasn't as bad as it looked because of the spacing, and the staff were processing people through quickly. 

The loo situation wasn't as bad as I feared.  I'd heard that there was only one loo block open but actually there were three, one at the bottom and two at the top.  My bladder (the only part of me that feels older than I am, rejoiced!

The gardens were just as lovely as we had hoped.  The narrower paths had been made one way but there was still scope to ramble and while there were plenty of people there, it was in no way crowded anywhere.

I took photos, of course.  Here are a few.






The difference between the grass that was off limits during the winter being treated and the grass that wasn't.  The contrast was even more startling in reality!




The day then took a bit of a dip which necessitated me doing quite a lot of driving.  As I said, nothing bad and it isn't my story to tell anyway, but more or less driving between home and destination six times was more than a bit tiring and annoyed my poor old shoulder which had tweaked rather painfully the day before.  It's now stiff and sore and I've cancelled personal training this morning.  

We were very lucky with the weather - most of the time it was bright with some sunshine.  Sitting at a picnic bench eating our packed dinners was lovely.  After a while it clouded over and by the end it was drizzling, exactly as the forecasts had said.  Still, thinking positive, no need to water the allotment today!

I'm definitely booking another visit soon.  Hyde Hall is a happy place.  It's peaceful and lovely and there's lots of scope for rambling.  Even in the few months of lockdown, they have opened new areas and there's a gorgeous and newly planted 'woodland' area that was awash with colour coordinated foxgloves and other foliage and flowers.  Give it a few years and it will be stunning!




In the end I didn't go to the plant shop.  It was raining by then and things needed to be sorted out.  I will definitely go next time.

Today should be easier.  I have to get to Morrisons first thing for just a few more things for the barbecue and then I can prep and rest the shoulder.  It should be a super day.  Hoping yours is too.  xx





18 comments:

  1. Have a good BBQ -sunny here so far

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    1. Thanks. Here too, and lovely and warm as well. Perfect!
      xx

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  2. Lovely pictures Joy Hide Hall looks a lovely place. Sorry to hear about your shoulder it is miserable when bits of you dont work as they are meant to. I hope some rest will fix it.

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    1. The RHS places are so good, aren't they. I'd love to go to Wisley at some point but it's just too far to go just for a day.
      And thank you.
      xx

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  3. Mornin' Joy. I hope your weather is better than ours. It's hammered down day and night for the past few days. Everything is absolutely sopping wet and it's definitely not barbecue weather. Your day out sounded loveey. It's nice to see things starting to open up responsibly.

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    1. It's absolutely gorgeous here; warm, sunny and a very gentle breeze. Maybe it will come your way today.
      xx

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  4. I'm sorry to read about your shoulder, although it looks like you enjoyed a lovely day out otherwise. I managed to book a slot for Monday, so I'm going to pack a picnic and make a day of it. X

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    1. That's great. The forecast is fine for several days to come (it is here, anyway) so fingers crossed for a good day.
      The shoulder is a nuisance but it could be worse so I'll only whinge a little bit about it! :-)
      xx

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  5. Sounds like a lovely visit, when we lived in Billericay we went there quite a few times. I liked the area set out with plants that could survive in the baking summer heat, without water. It is a lovely place to visit. I took my class there when they had their Education person there and we won the best school with the least non compostable rubbish. We were given a compost bin, but I cheekily asked for a small tree for our wild garden back at school. Great place.

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    1. I would have loved to take my class but it didn't fit in with topics/planning, etc.
      I love the dry garden too but I think my favourite is the vegetable garden which is comparatively new and a huge improvement on the old one.
      It really is a super place, I agree.
      xx

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  6. I just cooked a barbecue for lunch! Hope your shoulder's recovering and you have a lovely barbecue

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    1. barbecues are so delicious. That charred flavour - mmmmm
      xx

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  7. Hope your shoulder feels better soon! Sounds like a wonderful visit. The gardens look absolutely beautiful.

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    1. It's a lovely place and I've booked another visit on my own to see all the things I wasn't able to see on Friday! :-)
      xx

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  8. Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    I do hope your shoulder feels better very soon.

    God bless.

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    1. Thanks, Jackie. I had a great time.
      xx

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  9. Hyde Hall looks like a beautiful place.
    I hope your shoulder pain goes away soon.

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    1. It's beautiful. We're very lucky to have it within half an hour's drive.
      And thank you. xx

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