Monday, 28 April 2014

Monday 28th April
After having lunch at The Nelson Inn at Hampsthwaite, we parked at Ripley and followed part of the Nidderdale Greenway for a couple of miles. The path follows the old railway line beside the River Nidd.


The celandines and bluebells were reaching their colourful best here and we could hear lots of birds in the trees.


It was the warmest day that we have had for a while and we saw several butterflies including this Orange Tip.


Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Easter Weekend Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th April
We spent the weekend in Altrincham with Russell & Christine. Our first visit was to Alderley Edge where we enjoyed lovely walks through ancient forests at the top of a hill that afforded distant views in all directions.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alderley-edge/




At nearby Hare Hill, we explored the well established gardens and were fortunate to see many spring flowers including this stunning rhododendron.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hare-hill


Later in the afternoon we visited Nether Alderley Mill, arriving just in time for the final tour and there was just the 4 of us in the group. It was built in the 15th century and was restored only recently.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nether-alderley-mill/


On Sunday we drove to Crosby near Liverpool to view the Antony Gormley sculptures. There are 100 life-sized figures along 3km of beach. They have a kind of eerie presence as they stand gazing out to sea.
www.visitliverpool.com/things-to-do/another-place-by-antony-gormley-p160981




Speke Hall just south of Liverpool was our final destination. It is a Tudor timber framed Manor House which was updated when Victorian Arts & Crafts were fashionable. It is an interesting mix of the styles built round a large square courtyard. We left at closing time but did not manage to see it all.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall/



Sunday, 13 April 2014

Sunday 13th April
Today we visited the Harlow Carr Spring Gardening Weekend and enjoyed a cookery demonstration by Lionel Strub which was supported by the gardeners talking about herbs and vegetables.


In the Learning Centre several Garden Societies had displays and were offering advice. The gardens were looking very well cared for and there were lots of other exhibitions around the grounds.