Door knocker

Nice little door knocker at Howick Hall, Northumberland, the home of Earl Grey (prime minister who introduced the Reform Act), taken of the first day of sunshine in 2011 in the north east! *

Howick Hall is lovely (although you can't go in the house yet), especially at this time of year. Lots of crocuses and snowdrops, and even a couple of deer wandering around the gardens and arboretum. Some funny signs about rabbits and hares too, which almost made this Blip, but I've done signs before, so the lion knocker it is! If you go to Howick Hall next week, I bet the hundreds of daffodils will be blooming - they were just poking their heads when we were there...

I really recommend the cream tea at the Earl Grey tearooms - lovely homemade jam, scone and leaf tea, in a very elegant room.

*possible exaggeration, but it feels like it!