Friday 31 May

Can't believe it's the end of May already! 

I have just spent a few days away in the caravan at Stamford. Mark and Michelle were staying at Barnsdale Hall near Oakham in Rutland so I thought it would be nice to join them for a few days. The site was very nice and quiet, next to a Forestry Commission visitor centre. I arrived on Sunday and got all set up. 

On Monday I went with Mark and Michelle to a couple of National Trust properties. The first was Woolsthorpe Manor which was the home of Isaac Newton and was really interesting. I had no idea he was involved in discovering so many things. We tend to just remember gravity and the apple tree (which is still there incidentally) and forget about light and the solar system.

The other place we visited was Belton House which was a very grand mansion in lovely grounds.

On Tuesday we met up again and went to Melton Mowbray and Oakham. For the first time we managed to have a look in Oakham Castle which has always been closed when we have visited before. The castle was constructed in Norman times between 1180 and 1190 and is known for its collection of massive horseshoes. This is a custom that has been going for well over 500 years. Whenever a peer of the realm visits Oakham for the first time they must present a horseshoe to the lord of the manor of Oakham. There are horseshoes there from the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and most members of the Royal family.

When we got back to Barnsdale Hall we had a game of bowls. It's a lot harder than it looks! The children went swimming and then after tea we went for a walk round the grounds.

I came home on Wednesday as I had got the man coming to clear the garden on Thursday. He came bright and early at 8.00 am and soon made a good start. He was very thorough and tidy and has made a good job of it. He came back again today to lay the turf and I asked him to do a few other little jobs as well so the garden is now looking all nice and tidy. Just need to keep it that way now! Next job - new shed.

I never posted any pictures of my new hanging baskets and other plants.