P4081506
Another beautiful clear blue day, Easter Saturday and a plan in place, a 12.30pm visit to Ascott NT to see the daffodils with Jane. A normal morning with a slow rising, Jane up before. I made a big batch of apple and plum before my muesli but left the other Bramley for a crumble for supper. Around 11.30am I get out the Golf from the garage and check the trap for more mice but for a change nothing today. I got some vegetables out for supper and around 11.50am we set off. It was already very busy at Ascott and as usual Jane wanted a coffee and sausage roll to get her digestion moving etc. We chat with a couple who share our table. They have an energetic nearly 2 year old called Kaydon?
Setting off round the garden we go over to say hello to several horses and see a Red Kite on the ground just behind. Magnificent bird looking very Aquiline as it strutted about. I think we had timed out visit a few days later than before as many of the daffs were over so the overall effect was not quite as staggering but still enough to please. Although sunny there was a cool edge to it and there were very few insects but several birds calling, notably an army of Chiff Chaffs. The star of the gardens were the numerous Magnolia and cherry blossom but the big bare trees, gaunt and tall were impressive in this equinal light against a blue sky. We went down into the daffodil arboretum and along westwards to the far boundary then through the sheltered formal garden with beds and fountain where the display of hyacinths was stunning. Just before that in a quiet dead end full of Narcissus poeticus Jane had to have a cigarette. At the end of the formal area the steps out were too tricky for Jane so we used the wheelchair route but in so doing came on a gap in the yew hedge through was another view of the magnolias etc. Here I saw a couple from Hong Kong who I used their iPhone to take their photo against a magnolia backdrop. Jane in her usual impatient manner had wandered off back to our earlier path and I had to retrieve her to the gap and then via the long path along behind the magnificent main house where I just had to make a final panoramic shot. Back at the cafe, after selecting our drinks and sponge cakes ( chocolate Jane.zucchini & lime me) that I collected etc Jane found a table to sit that this time we had to ourselves. As we left the car park there was still a steady queue coming in and it was tricky exiting onto the main road but eventually a driver from Wing direction let us out.
Ascott House and Gardens is the historic rural retreat of the de Rothschild family.
The 30-acre Gardens have dramatic landscaping and sweeping lawns. Plus, beds bursting with flowers, hidden enclaves and wildflower meadows where you can laze away a summer’s day.
Enjoy al fresco theatre. Watch a classic English cricket match. Try a homemade cake in the Tea Room.
Inside Ascott House, Leighton Buzzard, visitors can tour rooms packed with priceless art, burnished wood and fragrant flower displays.
Feed your curiosity. Experience adventure. Visit Ascott Estate today.
P4081506
Another beautiful clear blue day, Easter Saturday and a plan in place, a 12.30pm visit to Ascott NT to see the daffodils with Jane. A normal morning with a slow rising, Jane up before. I made a big batch of apple and plum before my muesli but left the other Bramley for a crumble for supper. Around 11.30am I get out the Golf from the garage and check the trap for more mice but for a change nothing today. I got some vegetables out for supper and around 11.50am we set off. It was already very busy at Ascott and as usual Jane wanted a coffee and sausage roll to get her digestion moving etc. We chat with a couple who share our table. They have an energetic nearly 2 year old called Kaydon?
Setting off round the garden we go over to say hello to several horses and see a Red Kite on the ground just behind. Magnificent bird looking very Aquiline as it strutted about. I think we had timed out visit a few days later than before as many of the daffs were over so the overall effect was not quite as staggering but still enough to please. Although sunny there was a cool edge to it and there were very few insects but several birds calling, notably an army of Chiff Chaffs. The star of the gardens were the numerous Magnolia and cherry blossom but the big bare trees, gaunt and tall were impressive in this equinal light against a blue sky. We went down into the daffodil arboretum and along westwards to the far boundary then through the sheltered formal garden with beds and fountain where the display of hyacinths was stunning. Just before that in a quiet dead end full of Narcissus poeticus Jane had to have a cigarette. At the end of the formal area the steps out were too tricky for Jane so we used the wheelchair route but in so doing came on a gap in the yew hedge through was another view of the magnolias etc. Here I saw a couple from Hong Kong who I used their iPhone to take their photo against a magnolia backdrop. Jane in her usual impatient manner had wandered off back to our earlier path and I had to retrieve her to the gap and then via the long path along behind the magnificent main house where I just had to make a final panoramic shot. Back at the cafe, after selecting our drinks and sponge cakes ( chocolate Jane.zucchini & lime me) that I collected etc Jane found a table to sit that this time we had to ourselves. As we left the car park there was still a steady queue coming in and it was tricky exiting onto the main road but eventually a driver from Wing direction let us out.
Ascott House and Gardens is the historic rural retreat of the de Rothschild family.
The 30-acre Gardens have dramatic landscaping and sweeping lawns. Plus, beds bursting with flowers, hidden enclaves and wildflower meadows where you can laze away a summer’s day.
Enjoy al fresco theatre. Watch a classic English cricket match. Try a homemade cake in the Tea Room.
Inside Ascott House, Leighton Buzzard, visitors can tour rooms packed with priceless art, burnished wood and fragrant flower displays.
Feed your curiosity. Experience adventure. Visit Ascott Estate today.