Mapperton House & Gardens, Dorset

I thoroughly enjoyed walking around this garden as it has such a great combination of formal and wild

I like especially these Livingstone daisies growing out of the walls 

The garden is set in it's own valley which always adds to lush vegetation

The Orangery

The Ice House

The West front of the House

An Elizabethan house enlarged in the 1660's

It is now the home of The Earl and Countess of Sandwich and harks back to the restoration of Charles II when the first Earl of Sandwich brought the King back from Holland 

Before leaving we paid a visit to The Sawmill Cafe in the grounds where the old saw machine is still standing

The ceiling is draped with a shamiana, an Indian wedding tent that was designed especially for Mapperton.

Needed to get this post off as we are away for a few days at our House Church weekend retreat. We have extended our trip by booking into a luxury bed and breakfast near Rye

http://www.thestrandhouse.co.uk/

for 2 nights

I cannot remember when I last had a cold so not very thrilled at going down with a sore throat, cough and cold 2 days before

From This to This

From this

to this

where we will be filling it with David Austin roses

in November

and from a shelf of rusty nails in jars etc.

to a little patriotic cover

Why is it that to women jars of rusty nails are an eyesore but to men they are treasure!

and from one bird to two in the quirky corner

it is so good to have a clean and tidy shed

and lots of full black bags

last night's sunset was a joy

I have not sailed away yet but I love this cushion bought at the Historic Dockyards where we took Oliver last week

often when we are out for the day, Alan will buy me a gift when he sees me admiring something

The two little birds on the table above came the same way

Must get back to holiday photos and more

How Does One Entertain the Grands During Their Summer Stay

Eat Al Fresco in the garden whenever possible

take them to the beach

and on Concorde

to the paddling pool

the adventure playground

swimming in the sea

to play on the bridge of an ancient Destroyer

and row an ancient Lifeboat

not to mention going down into an ancient Submarine

hoping Grandma will get through the hatch

fun on the ancient sailing ship too

and much,  much more

pretty high on the list was riding their scooters up and down the street with children from church and inviting them in to play