It was a dull, cloudy and overcast day as we set off for a walk with Meg & Gracie around the grounds and gardens of Castle Howard.

It was just after 10.00am as we parked the car and made our way into the courtyard. We popped into the takeaway coffee shop for a coffee and cake before walking across a relatively quiet courtyard to the booking office. After the formalities of the booking office, we headed over to have a look around the walled garden. Our last visit was towards the end of April, and I remember swathes of Coral coloured Tulips in full flower in the main garden. Today, those Tulips had died back but the main borders were awash with colour, Peonies and Alliums in particular, were in full flower and looked beautiful, several gardeners were busy planting and keeping on top of the seasonal jobs required around the gardens. After leaving the gardens by the East gate we headed for the house and main south terrace, stopping for a few moments to look over at the Atlas Fountain which was in full flow. We continued our walk passing the house on our left and stopped to chat to one of the gardeners busily carrying out work replacing the worn and parched grass borders in front of the main house. We continued past the Time Capsule and up the gentle gradient to the entrance of ‘Ray Wood’. We always stop at the top of the slope to catch our breath and admire the views over the ‘South Lake’ and the main house.

After passing through the gate, we headed into the woodland. The sun had finally broken through the heavy, grey ladened sky and highlighted the beautiful colours of the flowering Rhododendrons, various shades of vibrant pink and purple lined the left-hand side of our walk. The colours were beautiful and really took your breath away as we walked past them. Unfortunately, the sunshine only lasted for a few minutes and by the time we reached the Temple of Four winds the sun was well hidden behind the dark clouds, so we decided to head back to the main house before the rain, which was forecast for later in the day arrived. We continued towards the house stopping every now and then to take photographs of Meg and Gracie, passing the house we headed for the courtyard café for a very pleasant late brunch after which we headed back to the car and our journey home.