On a cold, breezy day we visited Charlecote Park, a stately home and 188 acre estate in Warwickshire, owned by the National Trust. You approached the house down a long drive and through the gatehouse.


The house was given to the National Trust after the 2nd World War in lieu of death duties. The Lucy family, who have lived at Charlecote since 1247, now occupy one wing of the house.


The house has a marvellous sunny terrace overlooking the River Avon and countryside beyond.


Across the Avon you can see the neighbouring village of Hampton Lucy with its church.

Rhubarb - I feel a crumble coming on

The rhubarb is growing away nicely. The first shoots have been harvested and Cath and Joseph have prepared a rhubarb crumble. The smell is wafting up the stars as it type this post!

And this is what is about to flower

This dicentra plant looks weird but fun as the shoots appear. It looks great when it flowers in the spring too.

This is what is flowering now

Daffodils - these are out in the front and some other larger ones are out in the back. We also have a later variety to come out under the flowering cherry tree in the front garden

Front garden overhaul - After

And this is what it looks like now. Okay, I know you can't see much difference - but just wait till the plants grow! It'll be stupendous - I hope!

Front garden overhaul - Before

This photo was taken in March 2006. This weekend I have dug over the front bed that borders the pavement, removed most of the plants and a tonne of stones, house bricks etc. and then replanted it.