Chinese dogwood

A good day.

A delicious lunch with Frank and Rena, before a walk in Howick Hall Gardens. F&R had been a couple of times before, but it was the first visit for MrM and me. It's a magical place with lots of rare plants and trees, and in the time available we explored only a small part of it. No doubt we'll be back. Rena and I were wondering what these red fruits are, maybe lychees we thought. Wrong! They're the fruits of Chinese dogwood, and are quite stunning. We couldn't resist sampling the cakes in the tearoom before heading back to F&R's.

Home just in time for a cup of tea before yoga.

Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum have been the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey since 1319. Earl Grey tea is named after the 2nd Earl Grey, and the gardens were created by the 5th Earl and his family.
Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.