Sunday, 8 August 2010

EXPLORING ON MY DOORSTEP

Hello readers, I do hope you are all having a good weekend. We had a lovely family get together yesterday, A bit frantic when I realised I had promised puddings and had not even thought about them by Friday tea time. Luckily though as often happens when you do things in a rush they turned out OK. A fabulous Lemon Tart from the Joanne Harris 'The French Kitchen' cook book



so simple but so delicious, tangy and fresh and a cross between a mousse and a cheesecake which I adapted from an old Carnation milk recipe...but I'll share that with you another day...

For now I want to share our trip to Grimsthorpe Castle, yet another little gem so near to us that I am embarrassed to admit that it has taken me all this time to check it out!



The approach to the castle down the driveway is surrounded with beautiful trees..


and the castle itself is stunning..

..On this occasion as we had first strolled around the Antique and Collectors fair which was there we didn't take a tour of the inside of the castle itself,  saving that for when we had more time.  We were not disappointed though with the grounds and enjoyed a wonderful walk all around one of the lakes.




The whole place had such a calm atmosphere, there were loads of visitors and and there is a childrens adventure playground, but you would not have known it.  It seemed like we were alone in the most beautiful English countryside...



how easy it is to miss the commonplace.....









the view looking back from the lake....


...lots of evidence of our very dry summer here so far, the lake overflow not only dry but overgrown....


...at the end of a wonderful walk, what better than to take tea in the lovely tea room..the cakes were delicious ( and the tea wasn't bad either)

Altogether well worth the entrance fee.

And finally I have a puzzle for you..We found this growing at the side of the lake among the bullrushes....(no not what you are thinking)...


the stem is about an inch thick, but there were none fully opened.  I have no idea what it is and neither does DH...any suggestions welcome!!

Well I'm off now to do a bit of sewing, will be back in the week with piccies of two wonderful parcels I have received this week and details of my own 'Pass the Book'.

TTFN
Jenny xx

PS I would like to say a big Hello to any new followers for whom I have been unable to trace a blog or Email to contact you personally.  I am so pleased when anyone shows an interest in my ramblings, and don't wany anyone to think that their comments go unread..

26 comments:

  1. Grimsthorpe looks lovely and you've taken some great photos.

    That plant looks like some sort of Amarilis.

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  2. The castle and grounds are just stunning, Jenny! You captured both the charm and beauty. I would love to have your tart recipe, it sounds delicious!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  3. Lovely photos - especially the one of the gateway. It looks very similar to Knowsley Hall not too far from us.. sadly no longer open to the public, but now a hotel and a fabulous wedding venue. Your area looks so dry - we've had rain every day for over a fortnight!
    Love Kathy xxx

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  4. Thanks for sharing your walk with us. You are so right about taking notice of the commonplace and I loved your photos.

    Jane

    PS No idea about the plant - hope you find out though!

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  5. Hi Jenny. What a fabulous castle to look around. They have the most wonderful gardens and I do miss going to castles. Your photos were just beautiful thank you. I think I do know the flower in your photo but can't remember what it's called. How annoying is that?

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  6. hi! thanks for popping in today. i also love that grey blue, perfect for a front door. sagey green's good too, i see a lot of that around here.

    beautiful pics. grimsthorpe looks stunning.

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  7. What a beautiful place, and a mrvellous day out!! Your photos are stunning!!
    Look forward to seeing your parcels : )

    Have a lovely week

    Sharon xx

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  8. Thanks for the lovely comment on my blog. I love forget me nots, they're so delicate and beautiful x

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  9. Gorgeous photos! Have a wonderful week xx

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  10. Looks lovely Jenny, you always go to such nice places...xxx

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  11. What a lovely place....isn't it funny how those places nearest to us are the ones we don't visit?

    Jayne

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  12. A great day out has to be rounded off with tea and cake, I'm sure it's the law!
    Lisa x

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  13. Lovely photo's - I think we're all guilty of venturing further to visit places but forget the ones close to us!
    x

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  14. I'm not a great one for cookbooks cos I get halfway through a recipe and then improvise the rest as I haven't got the right ingredients, but I do have 3 old favourites- Delia, Nigella and this one from Joanne Harris, and I always love the things I've made with her instructions

    Lovely pics, many thanks
    Have a lovely week
    xx

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  15. Such beautoful images Jenny. Makes me want to get out into the countryside myself (if only the flipping rain would stop!!) x

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  16. What a beautiful place, your photos are wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing. Blessings~~~ Daphne

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  17. Oooh Jenny lucky you for having a dry summer We've had loads of rain recently!
    Your photos are beautiful and I too am a little ashamed to say tghere are some stunning places near to me that I've never visited!
    Em xxx

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  18. love the photo's, no idea what that plant is.
    Gillx

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  19. The castle is beautiful . love this place , the plantes are fabulous

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  20. Wow Jenny - your pics are great. Before I retired I worked for Lincolnshire Tourism, publishing brochures. I used to the adverts for Grimsthorpe Castle. Not only is a lovely place, but the people who run it are lovely too! SueXXX

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  21. Lovely photos! You have been visiting some lovely places recently haven't you! I really should get out more and visit some of our local area. Not sure what the flower is (I'm rubbish with water plants!), looks like it might be from the lily family, but I'm not sure without the leaves. Hope you find out! :) x

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  22. Hi there
    Lovely pictures!!! And your French cookbook looks great!
    xxx
    Michaja

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  23. Love the sound of the lemon tart Jenny, I would love that recipe, sounds delish!! The photos are lovely by the way.
    Jo xx

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  24. What a lovely post and beautiful pictures, I really enjoyed that read, Thank You x

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Hi thanks for stopping by, but even better say hello. I love to read your comments and its also a way for me to meet you. I do read every coment but don't always have the time to find your email or web, so do pop back if you have asked a question as I will answer it here.xx