It was too nice to waste the sunshine, so when my gardener had finished the hedges, I went over to Shugborough.

No sign of Wilbur the longhorn calf I blipped a year or so ago, but this year’s cuties were sitting happily near the stables. I think Xola has considerable charm.

On the walk across to the Mansion, a Small Tortoiseshell appeared on the gravel. The first I’ve seen this year, rather battered however.

In the former “butterfly garden” there were only whites and one uncooperative Gatekeeper. In the walled garden there was a meadow brown and a Comma.

Not bad, but far fewer than in previous years.