Jude

Last day as a pre schooler for Jude.

It was a glorious morning and Eda went off to school on her bike accompanied by daddy. Yesterday, as predicted they all got totally soaked at school pick up time but Jude had a happy meeting with her teacher and we’re soon changed into ballet attire when they got home.

With such a nice day ahead of us we decided to take Jude just up the road to Dyrham Park, a favourite with us. We gave been twice with just Eda, once when she was a very tiny baby and twice now with Jude on her own.

You can see the situation of the house (and may recognise it as Sanditon from the TV series). There are walks all around the upper levels of the park with extensive views towards Bristol and the Severn Estuary, you can actually see the white cable supports on the old Severn bridge. 
We cut across above the house to the Old Lodge which has been made into a cafe and play area. On previous visits Jude was mainly interested in the tractors but today she was playing with another little girl starting school next week in the area you can see here behind her. 

I love this cheeky grin which came about as I tried to get a quick capture of her froth ‘moustache’ from the hot chocolate she was drinking to send to the family What’s app but she was too quick at removing it for me.

We walked down to the woods to enter the gardens at the rear of the house but found the gate closed. Perhaps that’s  why we came across a little group of deer - extra.  On our first visits deer where very much in evidence but sadly the herd had to be culled due to disease. Last year we learned they had introduced a new herd so it was nice to see them in evidence here.
We did make it to the gardens via the front of the house which still has some lovely colour for flower Friday and some amazingly large espaliered pears. Extras

Into the cafe for lunch and then a visit to the shop before getting the electric bus back up the hill, a must for Chris,  we always check it’s running before going down!
The driver pointed out more deer along the drive on the way back up. 

We’re just back from picking up Eda and her bike from school. We could see the marquee up for the church’s Beer Festival early on Saturday evening. The family are going but we’ll be on our way home by then.

Eda’s had a great start to her new school year and I’m sure Jude will be happy joining her from Monday,