A week or so ago, it being a fine mild afternoon we thought we might visit Hampton Court, but get there to find that the main gates were being refurbished and were shut to traffic. The new exit for vehicular traffic - more or less on the roundabout - did not appear to open for new entrants, so we carried on to Bushy park, past the Diana fountain who continues to bend slightly over to the right from whichever angle you look at her, and on into the full car park. Back up and out, and onto the Woodland Garden where the car park was also fairly full but we managed a slot. Very pleasant stroll around both halves of the garden, second half pleasantly wild, discovering a new batch of ancient ant hills on the way out.
On the way home I was driving and managed to take the wrong exit out of Kingston which meant that we were locked onto the New Malden road for what seemed like miles and miles. Eventually made it through to Worcester Park which was more familiar territory.
Then Sunday just past we tried again and to be on the safe side parked in the station car park, cheaper on a Sunday than Hampton Court Palace itself. Investigations on foot revealed that the main gates were still being refurbished but that a temporary vehicular entrance had been punched through the iron railings facing the river, complete with sentry box for the trustees and a generator on wheels to provide power (heat, kettles, cigarette lighters and so on for the probably rather cold trustees). The show must go on! Never mind the expense!
The grass which had been under the mandatory winter ice rink was recovering nicely. They must do something cunning to let the air in while the rink is on top.
The bulbs in the wilderness were also coming up nicely. Snowdrops were fully out. Some winter aconites were up and in flower, but looked as if they had been rather badly bashed by the recent frosts. A few daffodils were in flower. Need to get back in a few weeks time when they will be in full swing.
Onto to the privy garden to count the fish in the round pond. Rather cold there, but also rather handsome under the heavy winter sky, a heaviness which gave the usually green garden more than a hint of brown. Forgot to count the fish, but they were there, alive and well. Probably a dozen of so of them with the largest perhaps two feet long, fat in proportion.
Sunken gardens looking well, the simpler one, the one nearer the vine, looking particularly well in its winter format. Fine bit of bush clipping, topiary even.
Back over the river and it seemed far too cold to do tea and cake in one of the Bridge Road cafés. Far too much bother to get all the coats, scarves & gloves off, sit down, thaw out, drink tea, eat cake and then go through the whole business in reverse. Much easier to climb into the car and head off home for the same at home. Must be getting old.
To close I notice the brother blogger at http://rchaimqoton.blogspot.co.uk/. An intriguing blog, delivered by the next blog button, which for once did not pull out one of the many family blogs from the heap.
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