Sunshine came softly through my window today...

Was that a Donovan song from the 60s?

I am aching with gardening over the last 2-3 days. We have had wonderful sunshine for 4 days now; 24 C.

Last week we went to view Alnwick Gardens; in particular to wander through their thousands of pink tulips.

We mooched up through the wrought iron gates (remade at the Duchess's request by the original firm)

 to the top plop garden which is filled with paeonies , clematis

and plants the names of which I read & thought I would try to remember for you- but I have since forgotten- the story of my life just now!

A yellow Paeony

We followed the pebblefilled rills down to the water maze; this is filled with 'scientific' constructions to show what water can do.

The tower which shows water rising till the pressure forces fountain jets to erupt is so funny because visitors do not realise what is going to happen- and inquisitive children get stuck inside the powerful screen of water jets & have to wait ages for them to subside as the pressure drops.

At Belsay on Sunday sunlit actors out on the lawn told their tales of the life of medieval ordinary folk.

Meanwhile in the library Victorian sporting ladiescavorted sidesaddle.

In the Dining Room magnificent Tudor costumes were on display.

This all sounds like Cluedo.

We wandered through the gardens to the clink of croquet mallets.Around us rhododendrons and birds were rejoicing in the sudden warmth after weeks of dull days and rotten rain!

Sorry - Herman the German friendship cake needs feeding & I have to watch Ricky on the Apprentice.