A day to savour!

We decided to make the most of this blue sky sunny day, albeit fresh, and took ourselves off to visit Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House National Trust gardens and parkland.
Baddesley Clinton has a moated Elizabethan Manor House (pictured) with beautiful surrounding parkland and woods.
The light today has been so sharp and clear.
Where it filtered through the trees it created lovely, dappled shade casting long shadows.
Autumn foliage very evident.
On our arrival at Packwood we had a bit of lunch before a wander round the parkland and lovely walled garden.
The small lake sparkling in the sunlight.
Swans on the bank were preening themselves. Coots and Moorhens evident from their calls, with one or two Canada Geese.
Off we went later in the afternoon to Baddesley Clinton, where we enjoyed walking through the wooded areas which contain large pools. The reflections in the light were still, sparking and clear.
Lots of large pumpkins evident in the vegetable garden alongside hundreds of espalier crab apples, scrambles of nasturtiums, and the late flowering colourful border plants.
One of the green houses had a large grapevine with lots of juicy fat dark purple grapes suspended from the roof.
After a perusal round the small shop, a coffee and hot chocolate were savoured in the outside enclosed courtyard.
Now home again and packing ready for moving to our “retreat” tomorrow as the family return.
Gives us and them more space.
We pop back during the day to help out. It’s only a 10 minute drive, (traffic permitting).
The washing machine is doing a final load to dry this evening.
Soon be teatime.