Felbrigg Hall

Today I acted as a chauffeur to Pete and Chris, who were undertaking some stream sampling at Felbrigg Hall for the National Trust. Four hours of driving were amply repaid by the opportunity to wander round the gardens and grounds with my camera. 

The walled garden was an absolute gem, particularly as I was one of the first to enter it, so could appreciate it without the crowds. I was bowled over by the magnificence of the red flowers I've chosen as my main blip, which were growing on branched shrubs at least 2 m in height. I've never seen anything like them before,  and haven't managed to track down a name. Can any of you keen gardeners enlighten me on this one?

However they were just one of a whole feast of delights, which included a magnificent brick dovecote, a group of  free-range silver Wyandotte hens helping out with pest control, sumptious fruit and vegetables and a riot of flowers including dahlias, zinnias, autumn crocus and my particular favourite, toad lilies. Some of these feature in my extra photos for the day.