Buzzy bees

A very pleasant day all around. A morning walk into the countryside around Bearsted rather than the more usual routes around Mote Park or across the golf course, clocking up over 5 miles.

After lunch all 5 of us went to Sissinghurst Castle, the world renowned house and gardens designed by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson in the 1930s which was awash with spring colour and striking views a few of which I've taken the liberty to include as extras. Blipping has changed my attitude to gardens as they now provide a smorgasbord of opportunities for photography that gives a visit much more focus.

The afternoon was sunny, the place busy but not too busy so we were able to enjoy the spectacular colours of spring flowers and the warm, mellow brickwork of the main house. The famed white garden is not at its best yet, that'll come in June.

The grandson of Harold Nicolson is Adam, who is married to the cook and gardener Sarah Raven. We read a book by Adam Nicolson we bought when we were on holiday in the Outer Hebrides some years ago. Called "Sea Room" it chronicles the story of the Shiant Islands in the Minch east of Lewis. The Shiants are owned by the Nicolsons and are passed down from father to son. It is a magical book, part about Adam and part about the islands but wholly enthralling. We didn't know anything about The Shiants other than they were near the Hebrides nor did we know anything about the connection with Kent and Sissinghurst.