Half Term Day Trip

February Half Term.
As usual, the only day I get to spend with my little Bee is Wednesday so despite the horrible weather, we donned our waterproofs and went out for some fresh air.

Struggling for ideas of where to visit, Pappy suggested going North so we could visit him afterwards so we decided to visit Hardwick Hall so that we could have a wander around the big (and warm!!) house!

Our first stop was of course, the restaurant. We are always driven by our tummies! Then we made a bee-line for the Old Hall. Even though it was so completely soggy, we had fun climbing to the top of the hall so that we could see the view. It was beautiful even through the rain and fog.

We spent a good while in the house as it was lovely and warm. In the kitchen, Mr Bee made a stick man which joined our party for the rest of the day.

After our visit to the house we made our way around the very squelchy gardens before the rain got so heavy that we ran to the shelter of the cafe again. I taught Louie how to play draughts to kill some time before Pappy finished work and then we went to meet him at Ikea for a cheeky tea and wander!

The Best Medicine

 Last night was interesting, Mr Bee has had a cough for a few weeks now but last night, he coughed so much that he made himself sick, just about everywhere. So I gave him the choice of where to go for a good, brisk, chilly walk to see if we could cure the cold. Of course he wanted to go for a walk around Calke, as the gardens are open for the year.

 

I had been up since so early (someone turfed me out of bed at silly o clock) so I didn't even notice how early we arrived at Calke. It felt like lunch time to me! But we were very grateful to have the gardens to ourselves. It is such a peaceful place at this time of day, it isn't the first time that we have been the first people in! However when we made it back to the visitors centre, it was absolutely heaving!

It was such a beautiful morning, well spent indeed.