An early start this morning I was on the Barff with Meg and Gracie for 6.00am, the sun was shining 14C it was going to be a scorcher today. It was nice to be back on home ground and into our usual morning routine. I picked the dogs up first thing yesterday morning from their kennels so was keen to spend as much time with them as possible and get them use to their familiar surroundings again having been away for the past twelve days. I feel as though I may have brought a cold home with me, there was a group of youngsters sat on the plane behind me, coughing and spluttering and quite occasionally I could feel a blast on the back of my head when they sneezed! Why youngsters these days have no manners or personal hygiene beggers belief!

The previous day had been a warm day too with the temperature in the 20’s, you could tell it had been warm as it had dried up most of the mud on the tracks on the Barff. The Bluebells were beginning to flower around the woodland, occasionally the air would fill with the sweet smell of fragrance. After a very pleasant walk we headed home and a 8.00am breakfast. 

With the weather forecast still looking good, after breakfast we decided to pack the car and head off to Castle Howard for the rest of the day with Meg and Gracie. Fortunately we had a good journey and arrived at around 11.00am. On walking through the Stable Courtyard we headed through the archway and made our way towards the house. The meadows were a wash with beautiful golden daffodils, gently swaying in the light breeze, it made for quite a picture.  Our daffodils at home are just beginning to pass their best so I remembered from previous years that the Castle Howard Daffodils are about a fortnight behind ours at home, this is due primarily due to the difference in altitude. After a gentle stroll to the house we continued along the South terrace and headed for the Temple of Four winds, stopping every few minutes to admire the views back towards the house. It was an amazing landscape and never fails to take my breath away. On reaching the Temple we rested for a few minutes before heading back to the house via the shores of the South lake. On reaching the house we decided like everybody else to have our brunch on the west lawn adjacent to the restaurant. Meg and Gracie were quite content to take shelter under the table form the intense midday sun, fortunately I had some water for them and as a treat they enjoyed a milky cup of tea!  After a brief stop for tea and cake we headed back to the car and a steady drive home.  Later that afternoon the temperature rose to 24C the warmest day of the year so far, phew.