Summer's here!

Or at least, I hope it is. The last few years we've had a week of glorious weather only to be plunged into grey, drizzly misery for the rest of the year so I've been taking full advantage of the warm, sunny days and working mainly from my garden or the nearby beach. Ah, the benefits of working from home!

Glyn and I joined the National Trust on our visit to Lyme Park last month (hello middle age!) and I'm quite excited about the prospect of free days out for the next year.  This weekend, we headed into North Wales intending to spend a lazy day picnicking in the sun. We ended up in Bodnant Garden, just a short distance inland from Llandudno. I'm more of a wild, untamed nature lover than a pretty garden fan but oh my word! Bondant is without doubt one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. June is a great time of year to go, as the flowers are in full bloom, the trees are lush and green and the entire place is just a riot of colour, but pictures from autumn look pretty spectacular too. Covering 80 acres of land, we only made a dent in the gardens but I'm sure we'll be back before the summer is out. 

  

  

  

 

Jenny

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In search of Mr Darcy

I've wanted to visit Lyme Park for years and finally made it there this weekend. The largest house in Cheshire, it's probably best known for its appearance as Mr Darcy's Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice. The gift shop is full of Mr Darcy memorabilia but - how shall I put this? - it was all a little tacky, even for me. And I own a heart-shaped, glittery Pope John Paul II keyring. Instead, I came away with a National Trust membership (is this how middle age starts?) and some yummy homemade fudge. 

I am totally in love with Lyme Park. I've been to Tatton Hall and Chatsworth several times but I think Lyme's my new favourite. Photography is prohibited inside the house due to the delicate items on show but it's a beautiful, slightly quirky house. The home of the Legh family for many generations until 1946, it's still got a real lived-in feel despite its grandeur and size. There aren't many roped-off areas or displays contained behind glass so even if you can't actually touch anything, you're very aware that you could and it feels much more hands-on and accessible than other stately homes.

The solitary structure of the Cage up on the top of the hill behind the house, previously used as a hunting lodge, is a definite highlight and affords amazing views over the Cheshire Plain and the mountains of the Peak District. It's only open 14 weekends a year and , luckily, was open for our visit. If you don't mind narrow, winding staircases, it's definitely worth climbing to the top for the spectacular views and a small display on the history of the Cage.

The house is surrounded by beautiful parkland and the landscape seems a little more rugged than other stately home grounds. There are miles and miles of walking trails through woods, meadows, gardens and parkland and I'll definitely be back this summer. 

and of course, just time for a smoldering Darcy pic...

Jenny

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A day at Chester Zoo