Rockingham

Yesterday I saw a sign for a village containing a church I had on my list so today....

781 St Michael Hallaton







It had rained overnight but it showed signs of brightening up. Very close to where I am staying is Barndale. Barndale is the garden created by Geoff Hamilton who for years was the presenter of gardeners world.
































Then to Rockingham Castle, I had a rather nice Carrot and Corriander soup ....

the castle contains the usual Lely and Reynolds paintings and a Constable as a nice bonus.
















and so for my afternoon tea and a slice of Raspberry and Buttercream sponge cake.


The church of Rockingham is not in my book but it was right next to the castle so....










I'm moving on tomorrow and had a good few days. The pub, the White Horse Empingham has been good.

I haven't been to Rutland Water but I've done lots that I wanted to do. My one regret is I haven't shown you the many lovely villages. It has the air of the Cotswolds without the tourist tat, curiously I'm off to the Cotswolds tomorrow.

I will be back here though within the next few years and I'll show you the villages.

A House that went to sleep

I headed first to Market Harborough, the church with old school make a nice group. BUT the church was locked. I wandered into a few shops and when I came out the church had been opened.

679 St Dionysius Market Harborough






just down the road was

680 All Saints, Lubbenham

all the pews are numbered.







Thomas Tresham of Lyvden Niew Bield fame also built the Rushton Triangular Lodge. Everything is in 3's - think the holy trinity.




When Edward I's wife died everywhere her body rested a cross (called an Eleanor's cross) was built, the most famous was at King's Cross. The most impressive still standing is at Geddington which curiously was nearby....




Then onto Broughton House. The house was locked up for 120 years!! the grounds are now being restored and the contents are just amazing. One room has 40 Van Dycks. There's lots of amazing french furniture. Worth a visit if you are in the area.















This is some creepy crawly house!!