Painshill again

On the Sunday of mom and dads visit we went out to Painshill gardens/park. The weather held out and didn't rain, which is the best we can say.

Chilly but enjoying the view

Hermits bed.

I knackered them out walking so we chilled out on the night with dinner and a film. They left on Saturday :( to head to the caravan for a week. And I have spent this weekend relaxing and sleeping ahead of a busy few weeks. 

Ham House

Mom and Dad finally got down to visit last weekend. The weather was pretty rubbish but we still got out. On Saturday we went to Ham House for a look around.

They had a lot of the costumes from a TV series called Stitch in Time, which none of us has ever seen. But there were impressive. 

Camouflage. 

Night dress - glad fashion has changed.

 Unfortunately the upper floors were still closed for the winter so we could only see half the house. The gardens were open and they had a nice little shop and second hand bookshop (which I managed to escape with only 2 books - that's self-control!)

Dad impressed by the trees. 

Snake guard.

Mom investigating the bathroom.

On the evening we went out for a belated birthday celebration. But I was too busy talking, eating and drinking to take any photos. 

Preston

I spent this weekend up in Preston, visiting Katherine, Philip and the gorgeous little Joseph who is growing up way too quickly. On Saturday, when Philip was at the cricket, the rest of us went to a pottery place in Walton-le-Dale where you can paint your own pottery. It was brilliant. If I was back up there, I would do this every week!

Happy faces.

"More!" paint required

Sticking his tongue out at me.

You can choose your own pottery and colours. I choose a reindeer tea light holder (ready for my christmas decorations) and Katherine choose a super cure giraffe. I will post another picture of the final thing when I get it (Katherine will have to post it down as they need to fire it).

My "masterpiece"

Katherine painting the cutest giraffe

After the pottery (and a bit of clean-up) we had lunch and headed to Worden Park. Joseph fell asleep in the car and didn't wake up when Katherine put him in his buggy. He just assumed a pose and carried in sleeping.

Tough life

 We walked around the gardens and did a bit of shopping (more christmas presents sorted).

300 yr old Cedar of Lebanon 

We decided not to go in the maze (I am really not a fan as I hate being lost) so carried on to the woods (and got lost there instead). 

Super roots.

Joseph finally woke up and helped us in our walk, pointing all the things we might have otherwise missed. :)

Shy

Tickles

 The long walk was rewarded with an ice-cream, happily received by all.

Ice-cream 

Enjoying life

 Then off to the playground.

Hiding 

Playing shop 

Woohoo!

Sadly we stayed too long on the playground and missed the train (it finished for the day) so headed back and enjoyed watching Despicable Me and playing.
The adults chilled out that night with pasta, wine and a movie.
Today, the weather was not so good. So we did a bit of shopping in Preston and checked out the new places and developments before I had to get the train home. 

Windsor Castle

On Saturday I went to Windsor Castle so meet Cait and Jerry who are over visiting from the States. It was so good to catch up as it's been a few years.
There was little confusion in where to meet (I forget how difficult thing are without phones) but after a few hours waiting for tickets, I finally got in to meet them.

Entering Windsor

Looking to the State Rooms

The abbey

The abbey/church is amazing. Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos inside any of the buildings. But the ceiling of the church is extremely beautiful and there is the grave of Henry VIII, as well as other Kings there. Very impression.

The one downside of Windsor castle is there is no where to eat inside. We got desperate. So lunch wasn't very healthy but it was all we could get. And very tasty. (The Queen has good chocolate.)

Lunch

The promenade.

View over the countryside.

We toured the dolls house and the state rooms. I recommend a visit. The audio guide was very good and the state rooms are amazing. I can see why they have all the state visits there. George's Hall is where they hold all the State dinner and I can see why.

Cait and Jer outside the State rooms.

After the Castle, we went to get food as we were seriously hungry by this point. And then I took them to a pub. It's a must and we managed to find a proper pub with old church pews as the benches. It was great fun catching up.

I have spent the last 2 days of the bank holiday chilling out. And sleeping. A lot. I am trying to catch up after a busy few weeks at work. The weather has turned anyway so I don't feel too guilty about holing up and napping! :)