Perhaps I'll make it before Roobarb tonight!
Having had a good nights sleep despite the wind howling round the house, it felt somewhat comforting to be tucked up in the warm...my phone woke me at 7.55 am... message from our friends we're due to meet up with today... the weather was dry and blueish skies ... which sounded better than the skies outside my windows!
We decided to look at the website before leaving as yesterday the place was closed because of the wind.... all seemed fine...
Picnic lunch made, breakfast eaten, shower taken... what to wear... didn't think it would be warm enough for a summer dress so opted for lightweight trousers and a linen top, cardi, thicker top and a padded gilet.... I didn't wear these all at once obviously or I might have expired but thought it covered all bases... I popped a pair of shorts in the car just for good measure.... roll of the eyes from OH ... did I want my thermal vest too, padded coat, gloves, hat and scarf.... so I tossed my head put my nose in the air and didn't give him an answer !!!!
The roads seemed quite quiet not too many lorries and weather improving all the time.... perhaps I should have worn a dress 👗 As you can tell I'm a woman of decision...
We were held up round Banbury and sent message to our friends just to let them know we'd be about 15 mins behind schedule...
The NT staff at Upton House were so lovely... never mind we're a bit late, better late than early apparently!
Explanation about hand sanitising on the way in, house closed.... one way route round the gardens , toilets open one in one out, lots soap in the dispensers, water hot and paper towels... cafe open collect drinks from outside hatch, tables spaced out... one chap got a ticking off for taking more chairs to put round the table only allowed 4 to sit otherwise social distancing no adhered to. Well organised..
It was so lovely to meet our friends they were last people we gave a hug to in March when we met for lunch!....
we enjoyed our walk round.... been several times before, shame the gardens didn't look at their usual best but don't suppose they'd had the volunteers to do the work..
Sat and enjoyed our picnic... lots of chatter...
We picked lots of cob nuts and our rucksacks instead of feeling lighter after eating our lunch we're in fact heavier!
Left late afternoon with plans to meet up again... or go and stay with them as now they've closed their Montessori nursery down that part of the house is being made into a self contained unit they hope to let out vis air bandb... we said go and give them our opinions! They should do well as they live in Cirencester so lots going on round that area...
Good drive home...
Picked some vegs... more courgettes... tomatoes now starting to come and more raspberries and runner beans...
Had salad with ham and chicken for dinner...
Watched tv... rubbish on so started watching first episodes of The Crown on Netflix's.... very good, O.H even enjoyed it and he's no royalist...
Lovely day and so to bed to read and RC...
Look forward to hearing what everyone else has been doing today...
Caroline
