Tea for two - take 2!

Had a really lovely day today. Every summer for the last few years we have gone, with my Dad's eldest brother and his wife, to Nunnington Hall near York to see the summer exhibition of book illustrations.

This year it is work by the illustrator Axel Scheffler who is perhaps most famous for his illustrations for The Gruffalo. The pictures are pure magic - such detail and fun. There are also some preparatory works there as well as the finished article. This is for the book 'ZOG'

Today we were also accompanied by my cousin and her 2 children. There was an activity sheet for them to complete with a 'piece' of the Gruffalo to find in each room and also specific things for them to look out for. They even had the opportunity to dress up in evening dress accessories!

After spending time going through the house and exhibition we went out into the grounds to allow the children to let off a bit of steam. Luckily today there was a 'flutterby and creepy crawly' activity going on, with pooters and nets provided and people on hand to identify the finds. The weather was ideal for insects of all descriptions but netting butterflies is NOT easy! Emma did manage to get a Green Veined White.

It was really great to see people of all ages engaged in this activity with lots of laughter and chattering. There was then just enough time for tea and cake before we left to go our separate ways, a good time having been had by all.

Tomorrow it's a visit to my Dad's younger brother in his new home in North Yorkshire to collect their dog, who is coming to stay whilst they go away on holiday with their family.