Montacute and Tintinhull

Well I'm away again. I'm on the Devon/Somerset/Dorset border for some relaxing historic house/garden visiting.

I always visit Montacute on my first day here as it happens to be close to where I stop for breakfast. Creature of habit? Moi?

The yew bushes have been hacked. Necessary but it will be a while before they back to looking glorious!

Alas the house has only a few rooms open this year as the stairs need urgent repairs.

This is a Skimmington ride

The wife catches the husband drinking when he should be looking after baby.

He is then paraded through the village.

So I popped on to Tintinhull gardens which are just down the road. Alas the rain set in. I found an undercover area with seats and read for a bit.

Local update

Well the Reed Warblers are back, I've seen my first Swallow and a first on my walk I heard a Cetti's Warbler!!!

The Coalport ducklings are still ok ... And at New Hall...

Local wildlife catchup

Its been a quiet winter. Whereas last year we had a nice variety of ducks this year nothing other than the white duck. 

Bird wise Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps are back but so far I've not heard a reed warbler. I'm starting to wander past the reedbeds in hope

There are butterflies about but I've yet to see a Red admiral.

There are two foals. One seems quite big so I assume was born early and has just appeared. The other is a cutie!

We have ducklings at the Coalport pond. I'm not sure how many she had originally but there are 4 now and they've been there at least a week.