Unexpected find

After some retail therapy, Mum and I headed over to Hall Place in Bexley for  a stroll round the grounds.

My Nan used to live just a few minutes walk from the grounds, so this was a popular childhood haunt, with the easily accessible River Cray running through the ground for fishing and paddling, and later its exhibitions held by the then owners, London Borough of Bexley Libraries and Museum service.  Today the 15th to 17th century Grade 1 building is run by a Heritage company.

There were some disappointments - the "Really Useful" herb garden with attractive paths has been dug up and grassed over in preparation for redevelopment. This garden had been relocated in the 1970's when the nearby A2 trunk road was built, but now seems to have gone for good.  However, I spotted this Common Darter Dragonfly resting in a spot of ground where the grass had not taken - so it wasn't all bad!