Mottisfont

On our way home we stopped off at the Mottisfont, a large NT property near Stockbridge.  Originally founded as an Augustinian priory in 1201, the house has seen a number of transformations over the last 800 years, shaped by its many and varied owners.

They had an exhibition of Norman Thelwell paintings and Thelwell to me was the cartoon horses at Gymkhanas but his landscape painting are just amazing.

The extra is a horse scupture made from old wire netting from thatched cottages, really lifelike.  It was nice to be able to walk Ted round the grounds too, only a few places he wasn't allowed.

Home late afternoon, impromptu trips are good fun!