On Wednesday we had R & P with us for a couple of days. They have a busy schedule and arrived in the UK on Monday after a trip to Korea to see J & K.
We were stop number 3 after Korea and then Chester. After staying with us they move to stay with C D &E, then moving on to Italy for a "bit of a tour".

On the Wednesday evening we went for a stroll down to town and had a couple of drinks in the Old Hall. This was a chance to show them our town and chat about a bit of the history. P was alarmed that our bowling green wasn't flat but had a bump in the middle - think Crown Green sounds a bit drastic here. The teams were playing on the way back and weaving in and out of the bowls was a rabbit - how do I arrange these things?

After supper we had a reasonably early night and prepped for our day out.

Thursday we went, of course, to Chatsworth. Like there would be a choice.....

Fortunately Chatsworth provided another warm day ( at times ) and we were able to enjoy both the house and the gardens


R & P start, as we all have to, by looking up at the ceilings and decoration

 

 

 

The theme this year is " Make yourself Comfortable" and they have acquired and provided many contemporary chairs to view and try out.

 

These chairs are meant to spin around and allow you to see different aspects of the room. P tried one out.....but due the fact that North and South have become confused, didn't try a spin. Then again I haven't tried one either, and I know where North and South are.



 

We found an open door to the courtyard and went for a look at the hare sculpture.

 

R took a photo and I took a photo ( Fodo ) of R taking a photo and... well you get the idea.

 

Mr P and I, got locked out of the house by a vigilant guide, but we managed to get back in and find the Girls eventually

Managed to persuade R to try a chair that changes colour...

...and one that is within a canvas

The library. Just outside here a pianist played and entertained us all.

R by "Darcy" in the shop. The sign by the plinth says " Please do not kiss"

After a snack and a coffee, we went for a walk around the grounds. R had wanted to see an English country garden and that got a big tick here. The sun came out and even coats came off. Being a roughy toughy, I wasn't even wearing one to start with.

The maze.

I have a fascination with old steps and moss

this is a seoy, sequoia .... a big tree

 

More moss

The maze through the trees

Yes yes, I know

 

Walking into the rock garden

These chicks had probably just been born as there were eggs in the nest

You can see the nest just in front of the rocks

Nice view of the house. P and I had some good chats about how this place was constructed. Reckon he would be up for managing any ongoing works here.

The Cascade is up and running again

We all enjoyed the kitchen garden

The girls under one of the willow sculptures. R & J will remember this one.
The gardeners were changing some display beds around today and people were able to get hold of some of last years bulbs.
Mrs P managed to blag a few as well and so we will see if they are the type to save - they are now drying out in the shed. Watch this space.

R & P

We were all a bit tired, but managed a walk down to the bridge for a look at the sheep, trout and the house.
After a drive around Edensor we went back to the Bears Head and had a meal and a relax. Further relaxing carried on back at our house whilst we investigated routes to C D and E's house for the next day.

All too soon, R & P had to move on for the next stage and seeing nephew Mr E.
Before taking them back to the station we did manage to get P out for a trip in "Gandads TR" and we even managed to get R & P in the Porsche for a "swift" drive. All credit to Mr P for somehow getting into the back seats. Builders are very flexible.

It was wonderful that they took time out to come and see us in their hectic schedule and we really enjoyed the visit and having the time to get to know each other better ( time at the wedding flew by ), We are all very fortunate and life is good.

Enjoy the journeys and the holiday.....if its Friday, then it must be South W....

Found some more photos of Mr E watering in the garden.

This is an exercise that requires much concentration and application. Many questions on how the spray pattern is made and much use of the word "Why".

Any accidental watering of Grandad was, of course, accidental(?)

At least 9 plants were watered.

Mr E had a bit of time with a "Super Soaker" later, but I didn't dare get the camera out whilst he had that.....

 

 

 

Into the evening sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some more shots from Mr E's stay

 

He hadn't liked a hot dog before, but the promise of an evening BBQ and he was in. Likes 'em

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was walking past a shop with Nanny and spotted this

and he had already blagged this one from me. he is really good at drop kicks with this....unless I have the camera on him

We spent a couple of afternoons at a local farm, where they have an adventure playground / animals etc. As a follower of the Ninja Warrior programme, he was in his element and getting braver all the time. Maybe sometimes a bit too brave

He had some fun mimicking what we were doing at various times. We ended up with a knee slap game

The only reason that he has help here, is that the cross slats are in fact rollers

Sprung beam walk

Ninja leap

Having enjoyed the zip wire in the park he wanted to try this one.....once. Maybe a bit too zippy!

 

 

 

F

It was better when he realized that you didn't put feet in the tyres

Favourite slide

 

 

The farm also sells excellent ice cream. By now he is an expert

Big slide. You had to climb a vertical rung ladder. We acted as catcher, but was climbing it easily.
Not as quick as his favourite though

this is the slightly less "zippy" zip wire. He has wanted to go on this since he saw his mum go on it a couple of years ago

Lets go to Oulton Park. The excitement overcome by a nap

The circuit has a playground, but unfortunately not up to the farm one...

Ed size car

We had the 1600 version of this when we moved to Cheshire. Same colour.
Subtle what?

He wanted an outside picnic

Asked to try the helmet on

 

Then he went testing

 

Off to Jodrell and his favourite black hole demonstrator

 

Watching a cartoon on infra red radiation. Nanny wasn't quite as interested as Mr E

 

 

Seemed to have a great ( and energetic ) week. We were lucky to have some lovely weather.

 

Extracts fom Mr E's updated reviews :

 

As I have my own bed now, I was vey comfortable. I especially liked the fact that games were stored on a shelf that I could reach.

Whilst I didn't share the staff bed at night, they were very happy to let me join them by 7.00am every morning for a session of inflating balloons and making animals. Whilst no joined balloons looked like any animal I know, I believed Grandad when he said it was representative of a DNA string and not necessarily a finished giraffe. 

 

I was more adventurous with the menu and surprised the staff by declining the odd treat, or limiting what I had. I did, of course, make sure that I shared.

 

We had a joint staff and guest BBQ. I now like hot dog frankfurters. Note : make sure these are available next time! 

 

Many excursions were available for me and I took up every offer. Best was the farm and adventure course. I seemed to have more energy than the staff, who obviously need to get in training.

 

I enjoyed the trip to the library ( I have my own card ) and especially enjoyed the books about a "A Fabulous Pie" and "My sister is an Alien".....just say Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah Space and I'll laugh. 

 

I'm pleased that Uncle Rob has left his micro machine collection behind. Always a good way to spend some time when the staff are recovering.