Festive Fun at Kenilworth Castle and Garden Birds

 

Yesterday D and I paid a brief visit to Kenilworth Castle - mainly to visit the shop but we did have a short walk around the castle. It was cold but we had a rare sunny day!

I won't go into the history of the castle again in this post but parts of the castle date back to the 1120's and of course it was home for a while to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, favourite of Queen Elizabeth I who visited the castle several times.

Christmas Wreaths were hung everywhere created by local Kenilworth community groups.

It was somewhat busy there mainly I think due to Father Christmas visits!  The castle had been closed the weekend before due to high winds so there was double the amount of children to see FC! I would have preferred to visit in the week but in the winter they are only open at weekends :(

We went into the Stables very briefly but it was packed so we quickly decided not to have lunch there and bought some snacks from the farm shop at Balsall Common on the way home where I also bought a Christmas Wreath for the front door.

We went into the ground floor of Leicester's Gatehouse - sadly you couldn't access the room where we had seen a Christmas Tree through the window.

Oontitoomps!

Plenty of ivy berries for the birds

This marshy area was once the lake that King John created around the castle.

Garden Birds

A female Blackcap has been visiting the feeders in the garden for the last week.  She is very feisty and chases other birds off the feeders! It is quite a few years since we had a wintering Blackcap. Just a few record shots.

Garden Robin

All photos taken by me or my son with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of my pictures or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks)

End of November Visit to Herefordshire

At the end of November we returned for a couple of nights to Herefordshire to close down the static caravan for the winter.

The site does remain open in December and only closes for January and February and last year we visited a couple of times in December.  However, we did have  two frozen pipes on the one visit when temperatures dropped to about minus 8! So we decided this year it wasn't worth the risk.  I am sad in many ways as I escape there as often as we can but if I am honest with my birthday in December and preparations for Christmas it is not always easy to get away from home. But I will be counting the days until we can return!

The 3 Herefordshire  trees have all lost their leaves now.

Herefordshire Oak

The Octopus Tree

The Constable Tree

The primula is still flowering.  B has planted more daffodils in pots and English Bluebells in the garden and border for the Spring.

Oontitoomps!

We didn't go out this time apart from popping into Leominster one day.  Most of the time was spent sorting out which food to bring home and cleaning etc.  I've brought a few books home with me so I can plan places to visit next year and I am woefully behind with visiting churches which are on my "List of Herefordshire Churches to Visit"!  To be honest constant bouts of cellulitis this year haven't helped as we have visited less often and frequently when we have been I have not been able to walk far with swollen ankles and feet or drive. I am just hoping next year will be better!

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or one of my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).