A trip out to Coton Manor

Yesterday we (the Braunston Friendly Club) had an afternoon trip out to the beautiful gardens of Coton Manor (a private house but gardens are kindly open to the public). A taster here for the rest of the photos see my Flickr page.

 

the gardens are extensive and you need a good two hours to walk round and take in the immense range of plants

and there are also the chickens, ducks, pigs and flamingoes and Rodney the Parrot

 

and what are you doing may I ask!!

 the forecast was showers but the rain stayed off so we were very lucky

2nd day of Historic Boat Show

Turned out to be really hot today just as weathermen predicted - a quick trip down to Canal provided following photos. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
28c was maximum temp today and now at 11pm it is still 21c.   Going to be a warm night!!

 for more photos see my Flikr page.

Historic Boat show weekend

Managed to get down to Canal for an hour this afternoon - stayed cloudy all day until about 4.30 when sun did appear briefly - as usual Tim was lucky with the weather - at least it didn't rain!  became very humid though - present temp 21%.  (very heavy overnight rain did flood  exhibitors marquee  though - dried out during the day ).
a few of the photos I took today

when I first started boating in the late 60's you didn't see anything but fibre class cruisers (apart from actual working boats a few of which were still working then)   now it is about one in a hundred - how times change!!    I always think there must be graveyard somewhere for fibre glass cruisers - there were so many!
                                                                        a taste of today

 

Sun cream and sun hats are the order for tomorrow we are told - the icre cream vendors should do well!!

beginning of Summer

Some pictures taken in  my garden today 21st June 2011

Other news - the Cinneria given to me for my Birthday by our dear friend Ann has flowered again

and, even weeds can be beautiful

Summer

Holiday shots

Holiday over and back home - some more images from Wychnor as a reminder

 

Rabbits were in abundance on golf course and all around the grounds - these were taken am

Our bird feeders were raided by a squirrel to the delight of a New Zealand couple in an adjoining apartment

Tennis courts

 

and gardens

 

our last view from Wychnor looking over towards Tamworth before leaving

 

One of the places we visited (or tried to!) was the Kingsley Bird and Falconry centre with tearoom over looking the Churnock Valley - a beautiful setting but a very narrow approach road along side of valley - unfortunately when we got there we were advised that at the moment they are only able to open at weekends - there is however a nature trail with all kinds of wildlife. A definite must for the next visit

 lovely animals but very smelly!!

 

We also visited  National Arboretum again went quite late in the day so we had the train to ourselves - not much time to walk round though -   a few pictures - you can see the rest on my Flikr page

 

The Eagle stands at the entrance to the Arboretum