Hermitage window

A fairly dry day today.  I was out with fellow blipper 26degreesnorth this morning on a visit to Bicton gardens.  I hadn't visited for awhile and was surpassed at the change in flowering areas.  The camellias and azaleas had all finished flowering and the main areas with flowers were the lawns by the main house with very colourful displays and the rose garden with lots of dahlias and salvias.  

We wandered around the area taking photos of some of the hydrangeas and then came across an oak tree that had around 10 red admiral butterflies around it.  We weren't sure why they were all here but it seems from some reports online that they often are attracted to the tree sap, see extra.  We reached the far end with a small wooden structure known as a hermitage which was open, it is usually closed.  It's a very small room overlooking a small pond with trees behind and was apparently used as a summer house by the Rolle family.  The flooring was made of deer bones which looked like hessian on first glance.  The windows were of stained glass which may be a more recent addition as they made the room fairly dark which wouldn't have been the original intention.

An enjoyable walk around the gardens.