As I was pruning in the servants courtyard ...

... was just one of the phrases that made us chuckle as we wandered around Shugborough Hall yesterday! The conversation arose as a gardener - all decked out in period gardener costume - pointed out a nest of Great Tits who had made their home in a large urn. The fact that we were able to walk around the gardens was a blessing in itself. All week I had been checking the weather but as time went on the forecast got grimmer and ideas of floral frocks and picnic blankets gave way to woolly jumpers and waterproofs. 

The ominous sky

I must admit as I drove up the long tree lined drive I started to have doubts. 

What if nobody turned up? What if they did turn up but didn't like each other? What if I looked down and I was still in my pyjamas?

But the rain held off and, even though the skies were leaden the company was sunny and bright. From the first friendly hug each and every one of us got on. Although we had never met before we were far from strangers. 

We picnicked in the walled garden

I was originally taken by the rather dejected demeanour of the scarecrow in the distance
 - it's only when I looked back at the photograph I realised that it was art imitating life!

 strolled past the farm

Goats or sheep? Geep??

 spotted playmobil characters in the rooms of the mansion house (temporary additions for the half term holiday!)

Whilst I realise that this picture doesn't feature any of the aforementioned playmobil
characters it is significant in that the guide was very keen to tell us that the  Queen
had once held a reception here.
Gilly hastened to point out that if she popped in again could she tell her that we'd been there too?

 and discovered old bridges

Thanks to Rosie!

All too soon it was time for us to board the shuttle train back up to the car park and say our goodbyes. Time had flown by and so the only thing for it was to resolve to meet up again. 

Thank you so much to Rosie, Mel, Jacquie and Gilly (and of course Welsh cake Paul and Bunny Grandma!) for coming along. Please pop along to visit them as they have much better pictures than I do. 

I'll leave you with this thought. 

What do you call a group of bloggers on an away day?

!

Jane

xxx