Wakehurst

This trip is quite a different experience than when I first arrived. First of all, I get up at the crack of dawn. Okay, maybe not the crack, but pretty bloody early. Secondly, Ali has a car so we do a lot of zipping around. I still find it slightly unsettling driving down narrow country roads and have an oncoming car in the wrong lane. I trust her, but it is a little disconcerting nonetheless.

Yesterday we had to pick out new glasses for Stuart because he lost his playing golf. We were at the shop by 9am, picked them out and then had a lovely cup of coffee in the Pavilion Garden while we waited for them to be made.



We are doing everything at such a lovely pace. No rushing around, just doing what we want, when we want. Ali went for a run and I struggled with downloading pictures, then we made our way to Wendy's and then off to Wakehurst Mansion and its surrounding gardens. The drive through the countryside was exquisite. The old brick homes - it's hard to describe - especially since we were in the car gabbing away non-stop.

Wakehurst was quite breathtaking. We wandered around, oohed and aahed. It was just so lovely to be outside in nature. My pictures could not do the grounds justice! Despite the lovely, calm surroundings I could not help my self from chastising a small child from throwing rocks at a Canada goose; then a mallard. I believe I said, "Don't throw rocks at that goose from my country!" Luckily the eldest child felt the heat of my scrutiny because she gathered up the two deliquent toddlers while the mothers alternately shot me dirty looks and studiously ignored me. Lovely!

(BTW, boy and girl mallards look the same until they are about 6 months old - then the plumage of the boys start slowly changing over to the magnificent colors after that.)

We had a lovely tea and cake and chatted blissfully unaware that everyone had left, the gift shop was closed and it was nearing 6pm.