.......and indeed, I did force this rhubarb for early enjoyment, but there was no need to force me to eat it. Stewed lightly with a little added sugar, and served with Mackie's icecream, it was my first taste of Spring from the allotment.
I think the pictures tell the story. A brilliant day on the Weaver Hills in very warm sunshine. We started from the
car park opposite the church in Ellastone (on the Staffs/
Derbys border), climbing up and up, and up and up, and up and up until, we reached the trig point, where we were ready to get our breath back, and to enjoy the superb panoramic view. There was, eventually, one long and steep descent, best tackled by zig-zagging down slowly, with much concentration. Eventually we entered the park surrounding Wootton Lodge, disturbing a large herd of deer in the process. Wootton Lodge belongs to the Bamford family (JCB) as does the beautiful parkland surrounding the building. It is quite a magnificent house, built by Robert Smythson for Sir Richard Fleetwood, some time between 1580 and 1611. During the late 1930's it was rented out to Sir Oswald Moseley after he had secretly married Diana Mitford in Berlin, as they wanted a secluded residence. Under the trees lay a blue carpet of scilla.
Way up high on the Weavers
I think the pictures tell the story. A brilliant day on the Weaver Hills in very warm sunshine. We started from the
car park opposite the church in Ellastone (on the Staffs/
Derbys border), climbing up and up, and up and up, and up and up until, we reached the trig point, where we were ready to get our breath back, and to enjoy the superb panoramic view. There was, eventually, one long and steep descent, best tackled by zig-zagging down slowly, with much concentration. Eventually we entered the park surrounding Wootton Lodge, disturbing a large herd of deer in the process. Wootton Lodge belongs to the Bamford family (JCB) as does the beautiful parkland surrounding the building. It is quite a magnificent house, built by Robert Smythson for Sir Richard Fleetwood, some time between 1580 and 1611. During the late 1930's it was rented out to Sir Oswald Moseley after he had secretly married Diana Mitford in Berlin, as they wanted a secluded residence. Under the trees lay a blue carpet of scilla.
Lunch was taken by the lake, where we joined a group of young police officers, enjoying their break. We wondered what was going on as there were a number of police and their vehicles higher up on the road. There were also some very expensive classic cars parked near us. Were they connected? As it turned out, no. The cars, Bugattis (I believe about 1930's), were part of a photoshoot for 'Classic and Sports Car' magazine (due to be published in a couple of months time). Although I'm not really into cars, they really were things of beauty, and in pristine condition. 
On the other hand, it turned out that the police were being trained in the use of a stinger. We watched the activity from the hillside, as they conducted a (slow) mock chase around the perimeter of the lake, taking turns to fling the dummy stinger across the road.
Back to Ellastone, where I stopped to take this shot of the church, surrounded by little daffs, (much like our local church St James, Hill where the daffs are at their very best at the moment), before we headed off back home. Luckily for Roy, our leader, that the day was perfect for such a super walk, as it would have been a bit hairy negotiating some of those steep hillsides under wet conditions.
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