Almshouses
The twelfth century Old Hall - headquarters of the Knights Templar in this area.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin was built between 1320 and 1330 and was not a Templar church as they worshipped in a chapel in the Old Hall. The church was originally built as a chapel for the religious Order of the Knights Hospitallers who took over properties following the dissolution of the Knights Templar.
Fox and Cubs again! or Orange Hawkbit (Thanks Emma!)
St Johns Wort
The pulpit dates from the Gilbert Scott church restoration during the 1840's.
West Window
Rose Window
Another churchyard with areas left to grow "wild" to encourage wildlife
July Visit to Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens - a garden that looks beautiful through the seasons.
My Lady's Border
Green House
Unusual to see a Rowan tree with berries and blossom!
August Visit
Lady Bridgeman's Garden
Cockspurthorn
More Fox and Cubs!
South Kitchen Garden
Medlar
David, my son, had entered every ballot going to try and get tickets for the Olympics and he finally struck lucky and managed to get some tickets for Badminton at Wembley Arena about two days before the event! I was really pleased for him as I know how much he had wanted to go and I was the only person free to accompany him :) The train fares would have been extortionate so I decided to take the car in the end as I managed to prebook a car park space and its not far from the end of the M1. I didn't take my camera as I wasn't sure if photos would be allowed but in the end David took the Fuji.
Wembley Stadium - very impressive!
Wembley Arena
Badminton matches
In August my friend and I had another day out at a National Trust property neither of us had visited before. Upton House and Gardens. What a beautiful place! I shall never forget reaching the Ha Ha at the end of the long lawn and suddenly a superb terraced garden and pool stretch out in front of you.
Small Tortoiseshell on lavender. I saw a lot of butterflies - Small and Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and my first Green Veined White of the year. Devoid of butterflies the year in general has been but nearly every time I have visited a NT property I have seen many flying about.
I shall certainly return hopefully next year.
Finally, a fun day out. Brian had been given a voucher for the hire of a Caterham 7 for the day for one of those birthdays ending in 0 - he is a massive "Prisoner" fan. So we had a great day (luckily the rain held off!) driving through the countryside and pretty villages of Leicestershire.
We had a pub lunch here.
Sorry again for the length of posts - I think September was quite busy but then I had a much quieter 3 months so hopefully I will get the highlights finished by the 31st!!
