We are enjoying them at the moment! The weather is still good thought today was very cold and the nip of winter was very much in the air. My days of wearing loafers and no socks are numbered.
Caroline, Bill, Joe & Lucy
Sunday morning we headed out to a nearby village called Ashton which is owned by a very wealthy English family called the Rothschilds. The estate covers miles of farmland and the village itself, which is full of charming little thatched cottages, picket fenced gardens and a pub which looks like a cross between a large thatched cottage and an old cricket pavilion. The manor and it's grounds are just outside the village and my cousin Caroline and her husband (who are locals) know the Rothschilds well and help game keep on their land.
The Chequered Skipper pub in Ashton
A thatched cottage in Ashton (all of the houses and cottages are owned by the estate and rented)
So we had the opportunity to have a good brisk walk around the estate and grounds on Sunday morning with not a sole to share it with. The sun was warm and streamed through the trees which are beginning to turn and drop leaves. We saw quite a few red kites (birds of prey) which are common around here and are so graceful to watch. The grounds have been left to dicintigrate
in many parts which is a shame, and the old walled gardens left to go to weeds. But the house itself is impressive from the outside and still lived in by the estate manager. The Lord lives in London now but sometimes comes to stay in his 'wing' for country breaks and shooting parties.
Gates into one of the walled gardens for the mansion....ghostly!
We collected all sorts of goodies like conkers, leaves and interesting bark and twigs to make a picture. We haven't quite got round to it yet but will post the finished result when we do!
It was a super morning walk and lovely to get out in the fresh air so early on a quiet Sunday morning when most people were still tucked up on bed or at church.
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