At the weekend and with the promise of a sunny day, we took a trip out to Sizergh Castle. It had been a while since our last visit there and, with my hip still causing discomfort, it was just enough for me to be able to enjoy a gentle pootle around the gardens and appreciate the autumn colour.
The castle itself looked glorious in the autumn sunshine. We've looked around the rooms on previous visits but on such a beautiful day we were only interested in enjoying it from the outside. Also, our boots were so muddy, I doubt they would have let us in anyway!
As we arrived shortly after ten o'clock, it was still lovely and quiet. In the courtyard they were gearing up for the Greenwood Fair. This is an annual event to celebrate the woodlands on the Sizergh estate, which includes guided walks, demonstrations and stalls. We had a quick look around but soon set off for the seclusion of the woodland knoll which overlooks the small pond. On our last visit, in February, the trees were bare and there were clumps of snowdrops scattered to the edge of the pathway. This time a light carpet of russet leaves covered the ground.
With Lily leading the way (and me hobbling along behind) we made our way around the beautiful rock garden, where the Acers are putting on an amazing display, through the orchard, stopping to say hello to the chickens and along to the Mirror Lake at the front of the castle, which was covered in lily pads. Following a brief chocolate break we visited my favourite part of the castle - the kitchen garden. They manage to grow a large variety of produce here, much of which is used in the café. By the look of things this will soon include a lot of leeks and kale. The sunflowers at the entrance to the greenhouse were huge!
We had a peek in the greenhouse, being careful to close the door quickly behind us. Apparently, Charlie the cat has a habit of lying on the plants!
He didn't appear to mind, however. 🐈🐈🐈
J. X
It looks like you got the weather for it, a beautiful autumn day. I remember next door's cat getting into my greenhouse, they enjoy the warmth through the glass.
ReplyDeleteWe were so lucky to get a sunny morning, as it started to pour with rain just as we returned to the car. I think cats have the right idea, lying in the warm sunshine - bliss! X
DeleteMy friend has just started volunteering at Sizergh - he says how beautiful the grounds are.
ReplyDeleteHe must really enjoy it. The gardens are beautiful. X
DeleteOur blue sky has gone today. Nice to see you had some. Lovely place you visited.
ReplyDeleteThe blue sky was only around briefly, Jill. There's been a return to wet, gloomy days once again. X
DeleteAww, brilliant! I have been looking forward to seeing this post :) The Kitchen garden is fab (as is Charlie, he and I had a good cuddle when I was at Sizergh), and in the Rock Garden I loved the way you can walk across the little streams - I can imagine Lily having great fun doing that. So sorry your hip is still playing up 😢
ReplyDeleteYou imagined right. Lily loved to weave in and out of the shrubs in the rock garden. I was worried she would fall in the water! X
DeleteGiven her propensity to find water, mud and all sorts of other delights whilst you are out, I assume that a spare set of clothing lives in the back of the car? {{{grinning}}}
DeleteThe spare clothes live in my backpack! Although, surprisingly, they've hardly ever been required :D X
DeleteLooking at your photos, I thought "I've been there" and yes I had some years ago when I was staying near Windermere. I took the bus and had a walk up to the castle and another walk across fields with wonderful views. Thank you for the beautiful pictures and bringing back happy memories.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely there and the gardens are so beautiful. Perhaps you will get the opportunity to visit again some time. X
DeleteI have often passed the signs for sizergh and never been. Definitely looks a must on a sunny Autumn day. And would love to meet Charlie cat. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth a visit. We enjoyed our morning there. X
DeleteWhat a delightful morning! Stunning photos; I just love the colours of autumn. It's a shame about your hip pain :( John's hips really hurt him in the cooler, damp weather. Lily looks so thoughtful gazing over the pond. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely to see the autumn colour, especially the Acers in the rock garden. I have my suspicions Lily's thoughts were only as deep as wondering when we were going to stop for chocolate! X
DeleteWhat a lovely place to visit! Those gardens look wonderful! Lily looks very beautiful, too, and I just can't get over her hair! I hope your hip gets better, soon.
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely that we could enjoy the gardens before they got busy. At times it was as if we had the whole place to ourselves.
DeleteLily doesn't often wear her hair down, so it made a nice change for her. X
Just beautiful Jules we visited as part of our 25th anniversary tour, I have a photo of me sat on the wall where Lily is looking over, thanks for sharing, this has bought back lovely memories for me.xx
ReplyDeleteI thought of you while we were there, Marlene. I remembered your visit. X
DeleteI've never been to Sizergh but this post is tempting me to go, though it will be next year now. Great photos as always, love the one after Lily gazing out over the pond, the colurs are stunning :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes a for a nice day out, and it's lovely to see how the garden changes throughout the seasons. Dogs are not allowed in the grounds, however, although there are some great walks nearby. X
DeleteGorgeous photos... Lovely little girl....
ReplyDeleteBut what happened to you, that your hip is hurting???????? What did I miss?
Hope it is mending quickly. And that you are resting it. When our body hurts, it is for a reason. And needs rest, to heal. No matter if you are the busy mommy, who is *supposed* to do many things. ,-)
Couldn't daddy do the bulk of the walking, and you have more rest, on these outings?
🍂🍁🎃🍁🍂
Thank you, Wow. I'm happy to say my hip, although painful, is nothing serious. In fact, I'm wondering if it has been brought on by my low heeled winter boots. After wearing flats all summer, I think they might have altered my posture slightly :D I'm not falling apart just yet. X
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that your hip is bothering you. Have you had it x-rayed? I've had mine both replaced and it's brought me tremendous relief.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a gorgeous spot. I love the photos...
Lily has the most beautiful hair! She reminds me of Rapunzel.
Thank you for your concern, Stephenie. My hip is beginning to feel a lot better now. I have a feeling it may have been caused by a change in my footwear. I wouldn't hesitate to visit the doctor if it was persisting.
DeleteRapunzel? No one has mentioned that before, it's usually Elsa, as Lily mostly wears her hair in a plait. X
Many times I have driven past the signs for the castle when I was living up there, never visited unfortunately. Thanks for the pictures, will dfeinately put it on the 'to do' list when I'm up there again. :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a lovely day out. X
DeleteThat’s a beautiful garden. It looks like a perfect day to walk around.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon, Jules.
xx
I'm feeling much better already, thank you Nil. X
DeleteA lovely autumnal visit. A perfect way to spend a Saturday plus a cat to stroke! B x
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely morning, especially with the addition of cat strokes. I visited a craft store the other week and not only was there a resident dog but a cat came visiting whilst I was there. It's easy to tell what wins me over. 😆
DeleteWhat a lovely day out and look at that weather, it's perfect. Definitely need to pop that on my list of places to visit. Looks like Charlie was more than happy to be stroked instead of sneaking into the greenhouse. Hope the hip pain is easing off. Trouble with something like that is other parts of the body start to overcompensate and we can end up with more aches and pains. xx
ReplyDeleteI think you'd love it there, Suzanne. I much prefer the more relaxed style of the gardens compared with some other houses.
DeleteYou're absolutely right about my hip and the last few days I've been conscious of holding it stiff unnecessarily. It's much better now, however. X
Wow you did pick the sunshine window, your photos are beautiful. I am sorry to hear that your hip is still playing up that must be so hard for you.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see another wee girl with very long blonde hair, my daughters' hair is a similar length.
Hope you are having a lovely week x
It has rained so much during this last week that we were fortunate it remained fine for our visit. At least the poor weather has made it easier for me to rest up and now, thankfully, my hip feels much better. X
DeleteI always love the kitchen garden when we go national trusting especially when there's a cat involved. Naughty Charlie, though!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect day you chose to visit Sizergh. These lovely dry days like today are few and far between.
Isn't Lily's hair gorgeous?
Sorry to hear about you hip, I suffered for 28 years with an undiagnosed birth defect and had a total hip replacement when i was 39. It changed my life. xxx
I don't know why but I love to look around the kitchens in these old properties and my favourite section of the grounds is always the kitchen garden - I'm not even a good cook!
DeleteI'm sorry you needed to endure so many years of discomfort with your hip before your diagnosis, but relieved to read that a replacement has had such a positive impact on your life. X
Sizergh looks a lovely place to visit, Jules. I love the kitchen gardens and kitchens in these kind of places. I try to imagine how it was 'back in the day'. Sorry your hip is still troubling you. My hip gets sore sometimes, but it's actually my back which is the problem. So you could be right about change of footwear recently. Yoga often helps me. Lily's hair looks beautiful down, by the way.
DeleteThank you for your comment, Ann. I was thinking I might start yoga again, now that I have more time on my hands. X
DeleteHah, I love the cat sign. Naughty creature! What beautiful autumn colours in some of those trees. Last week I passed a particular spot and noticed that the trees had done very little changing. Yesterday, the difference was startling! Sorry to hear about your hip pain. I had it a few years ago but it turned out to be bursitis and some acupuncture & physio solved the problem......at least, for the time being!
ReplyDeleteHaving teased us for a while now, 'real' autumn seemed to arrive all of a sudden didn't it? The colours are beautiful, although it won't be long before all the trees are bare. X
DeleteThe kitchens and the kitchen gardens are always my favourite areas to visit too and oh that greenhouse. I'd love one just like it.
ReplyDeleteWe have driven by Sizergh but never visited so I shall put that on the list for next summer.
Hugs-x-
I'm glad it's not just me, Sheila. I much prefer these to the more formal living areas of the properties.
DeleteSizergh makes for a lovely trip out. I'm sure you'd enjoy it there. X
I just popped over from Eileen's A Bracelet of Days blog, and am so glad. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Your photographs are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's lovely to see you here, Susanne. X
DeleteSuch a lovely place to visit, I did enjoy your photographs.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens look wonderful, so nice to walk around and enjoy the beauty.
Sorry to read about your hip, hoping it gets better soon.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. It's a lovely place to visit. I can't help but feel relaxed when I spend time there. X
DeleteI feel sure you must be putting Lily's feet in a dung pile...she's shooting up! xx
ReplyDeleteI don't need to, Jackie. She will happily jump in it herself! Wearing wellies, of course. X
DeleteGorgeous Autumn colors! It looks like you have warmer weather than we do here in North Dakota. We have 41 degrees Fahrenheit at the moment. Your little girl seems to love the outdoors. Wishing a happy Autumn!
ReplyDeleteIt has been quite chilly, although lovely and warm in the sunshine.
DeleteA happy Autumn to you too, Angela. X