Glorious Garden.

We have had a really delightful day.
( A bit of a late start as Mr C had a hair appointment. )

Morning coffee at Naburn Locks, followed by a walk along the riverbank, and then a picnic lunch sat by the river, in the glorious sunshine, watching the sand martins swooping past.
They nest in the side of the Locks.
The horse chestnut trees were in flower, and the wild flowers were beautiful. Spotted damsel flies and butterflies.
( see extras)
Just one or two people also enjoying the peace and quiet and beautiful weather. 26C.

However the reason for our visit today was to call and see one of our favourite small privately owned gardens nearby.
Stillingfleet Lodge, and this collage is my main blip.
The garden and nursery is an organically managed, wildlife friendly, family garden close to York.
Described as a quintessentially English garden, it is first and foremost a family garden, lovingly planted-up over 40 years ago by owners Vanessa and John Cook.
It includes a play area, wildflower meadow, wildlife pond, woodland walk, Courtyard, herbaceous borders, and a more modern Rill garden.
We just love it. It also has a fabulous old house to go with it.

Some of MrC’s ancestors come from this village, and two others nearby. So a look round the church yard and we found the gravestone marking the grave of his great great uncle.
In the nearby village of Riccall was the grave of his great great grandparents.
He used to come fishing with his grandfather in the nearby pond when he was a boy.
A bus from Drighlington to Leeds, then Leeds to Selby, and then Selby to Riccall. Where they had a mile to walk to the pond.
His grandad once caught a Pike, and wrapped it in newspaper and brought it home on the bus!
Those were the days! ( No bus passes then!)

Back home about 5pm and sat in the garden with a couple of magnums to cool down.