Rambling around England.

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The last of our unsuccessful drive.








And we of the museums. The Granville pottery said to be the oldest still existing.

 

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We now decided to go and look at National Trust properties. I picked 3. One advertised it was closed on Tuesdays. So we headed to the second. Funny parking lot empty with a note- sorry closed today.
At least over the road were sunflowers.


So headed for the third- Biddulf Grange garden.

 

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Stunning garden.



Tunnels between some of the different sections.

 

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A Chinese garden.

 

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Now for a certain Geologist here is a suggestion for some home decor. This was the original entrance hall for the garden.

 

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Now that’s a display.
I





Kl

 

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Now for the dahlias. A favourite of mine as when I was a child I would spend hours in the garden with my pop as he cross pollinated his dahlias. It was just for his enjoyment.

 

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A monkey puzzle tree.


And you could buy your own.

We had some afternoon tea.


They had some interesting drinks.



And so back to the hotel. We each had 3 large glasses of wine. We soaked some of it up by sharing it pizza.

 

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The next morning we were off to Kettering. We made a stop at the Lichfield cathedral.












When I caught sight of some Zulu shields my interest was aroused. The shields had on them the names of men from Staffordshire that had died at Rorkes Drift and Islandlwana. I have visited both those places with a personal ex British army guide. I was moved by the experience. Fitting to see a memorial to those men.

 

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More of the memorial to those that died in that conflict.






The founder of the regiment was likely a forebear of Mrsdrron.

 

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A magnificent organ.

 

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Incredible to see this much history, workmanship and opulence in a place like Lichfield.

 

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The last of the cathedral.




When I took this last shot I noticed what was just across the road.

 

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I had a walk around the herb garden but no time to look at the house.







So put Litchfield on your map when touring England.

 

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It was now off to the HIE in Kettering. Another surly reception but again there was another agent who rang the Duty Manager and surprise our room was ready. Again wouldn’t budge on it second drink coupon so I took the points.
But they did give us a great car park view.


Across the car park was a quite reasonable steakhouse.


Mrsdrron started with garlic prawns but not much garlic. I had the pork belly nap bun. It was very nice and spicy.



I had the Angus rib fillet which came with the siides of an iceberg lettuce wedge with dressing and sweet potato fries. Mrsdrron had the half rack of ribs which actually came with fries but I swapped as she really likes sweet potato fries.