Despite a dreadful weather forecast for today of thundery showers and heavy rain it turned out to be a dry, bright and sunny morning and very mild too at 12c. I had pencilled in my diary for today a trip out to Castle Howard with the dogs, for a good walk around the estate.

It is just a fifty-minute drive from home, up the A19 and on to the A64 eastbound, arriving around 9.45am. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived the sun was well hidden behind the clouds and there was some light drizzle in the air. Our first stop was the coffee shop before walking across the cobbled courtyard to the ticket office. After exchanging pleasantries with the staff, we left the building and made our way along the gravelled drive to the Walled garden. Japanese flowering Wisteria draped over the tall brick walls, Pink coloured Peonies filled the flower beds along with a host of fancy shrubs including Weigela and Purple and White Alliums, bobbing about on their long stalks in the light morning breeze. The resident Peacocks were making their presence heard, unfortunately I couldn’t find them this morning, their piecing call reverberating through the garden.  Some lilac-coloured tulips added lots of colour to another of the borders. Leaving the Walled Garden through the wrought iron gate we headed along the Lime terrace towards the house, we detoured slightly to the Atlas Fountain which was in full flow today and looked a picture set against the grey and overcast sky. Leaving the fountain, we headed back towards the house and continued along the gravelled drive to the time capsule. The grassy banks which were covered with Daffodils on our last visit were today covered in wild flowers including Plantain, Cuckoo Flower, Wild Garlic, Yellow Hawksbeard, Forget me not and Bugle. We continued up the gentle slope to the entrance to Ray Woods, stopping at the top to admire the view looking back towards the house, Atlas fountain and the South Lake. Suitably refreshed we continued through the wooden gate and followed the track towards the Temple of Four Winds. Many of the Rhododendron bushes were in full flower and brought a varied colour palette to the woods, including Pinks, Reds, Whites, Lilac, Orange, and Cream colours, several Azaleas were in flower too, the yellow ones in particular were very heavily scented, the sweet scent filling the surrounding area.  Birdsong was vibrant through the woodland including Wood Pigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Wren, Jackdaw, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Jackdaw, Blue Tit and Willow Warbler, we could even hear the Peacocks, their distinctive calling carried in the morning breeze from the far side of the house. Leaving the woods at the Temple of Four winds, several Rhododendron bushes added extra colour along the South Terrace. The views across to the ‘Mausoleum’ and ‘New Bridge’ looked clear and bright despite the grey and cloudy skies. Routine ground work was being carried out around the Temple so we continued our walk back towards the house. Passing the lake on our left, a pair of swans were busily going about their business amongst the reeds at the water’s edge, I watched a Reed Warbler for a few moments as it flitted amongst the reeds, on the water several Coots were making a bit of a commotion, not happy that the Moorhens were approaching too close to their space. From the edge of the South Lake, it is just a short walk up the slope to the house. Passing the house on our right, the Horse Chestnut trees on the meadow opposite walled garden were laden with Red and White blossom, often described as flowering candles.

On arrival back in the Courtyard, we enjoyed a very pleasant brunch in the restaurant with Meg and Gracie, they both enjoyed their Doggie breakfast too, needless to say that within five minutes of getting in the car they were hard fast asleep, snoring their heads off!