Thursday, August 16, 2012

A Cruise to Tyntesfield

Today was to be our bird-watching cruise starting from Clevedon Pier and circumnavigating Steep Holm and Flat Holm. Given the grey skies and random showers we only decided at midday to risk it. Clevedon was still playing host to the rain as we arrived so we sat in the car till 2 pm, then under leaden but improving skies we strolled along the front - almost deserted - and gazed at a low-tide beach and a ship-free pier.

"Maybe it's been cancelled," I said, to her annoyance - this was a treat she'd been looking forwards to, and she hadn't forgotten her new bird-spotting binoculars either.

We strolled to the pier and asked after the boat.

"It's been cancelled," said the elderly lady at the pier-till.

"It's the weather," she continued, looking up at the sun as it broke through the clouds.

We continued on to the National Trust property at Tyntesfield which has extensive gardens, although the Hall itself was closed (in mid-August? Is the world going mad?).

Here are some pix.

Clare backed by the Hall

Tyntesfield Hall and Garden

The author in the Rose Garden Gazebo

The rather dilapidated Rose Garden

Clare in some Croquet action