Today was my day off.
Daughter was at school, husband has broken up for Christmas.
"Let's go to Croome Court!" I suggested.
It was a beautiful day, we left home to wall to wall sunshine & pale blue skies. My husband looked at the thermometer, which was reading 8 degrees, and shivered. As we travelled west the skies got more interesting, as the cloud covered increased. We decided to have lunch in the restaurant. As they were doing booked lunches, it all got very confusing. Most of the tables were booked, but they were pleased to see us, after the threatened snow overnight, they may have wondered how many of their bookings would actually appear! Husband settled for venison with apricots and I had 'Hodge Podge Pie'. We were then tempted by the pudding - chocolate fudge cake with whisky & marmalade ice cream. I was a bit sceptical about the ice cream, but it was very nice!
After all that a brisk walk was in order, so off we set across the parkland head first into bracing fresh air, december style. It was a bit confusing which sections of the grounds were open, but as there are public footpaths running through the place there are parts that they cannot close.
The gate was not locked so we did the walk round the lakes. By now the sun was hidden by the clouds, but the interesting skies made up for it! We could see snow on top of the Malverns and on Bredon Hill. Never having been here at this time of year before, it all added to the magic!
I took this shot from the grotto on the far side of the lakes. There was no Santa (or Father Christmas), just the statue of a naked woman, carefully encased in a winter shroud of green to protect her from frost damage. There was nothing gift wrapped. But somethings, like this view, can't be wrapped, just savoured and remembered.
On the way home we diverted to Morrisons for the weekly shop, and came out to semidarkness at 3.15pm, and a bleak world, as sleet rudely made it's presence felt.
What a day of contrasts. :)
