'After the rains'

Today the weather was a little better than the past few days. We spent the morning at West Quays in Southampton...then had lunch at Wagamama's.

This afternoon we drove to Mottisfont Abbey Nat.Trust. It all looked so different ..the last time I was there was June, when all the Roses were out. We walked along the River Test..the water was high, after all the rain...but crystal clear. The walled gardens are in the process of being deadheaded...the Lavender borders fading...but still smelling wonderful. The sky was blue..lovely reflections! So good to see some sun......but, guess what? A sudden shower sent us running back to the car at the end of the afternoon!