It’s been another long gap since I last posted a blog. A mark of how busy I’ve been, mostly with work with the exception of a couple of fun things scattered throughout, which I’ve never got around to posting about. C’est la vie. Thankfully, I am off work this week for a much needed rest, but also to start prepping for all the plans for this coming weekend. It’s little Miss’ 4th birthday. Four! Where did that go?

The long weekend that’s just past was delightful. It’s been warm and pleasant and, well just rather lovely. On Friday I took Thelma for a super long walk to the seafront and after enjoying a coffee overlooking the paddle boarders on South Bay, I took her all along the beach and through the rock pools.

We were out for a good 3 hours walking, and to be honest by the time I got home all I was fit for was sitting on the sofa and finishing knitting Mrs. R’s hat.

Saturday morning was baking with little Miss, but the rest was reasonably chilled, but Sunday we’d booked tickets to go to Castle Howard, which is about 40 minutes drive from home. Me and the chap have been lots of times, but always just to the gardens which is a delight in itself.

This time however, we decided to book tickets to go into the house. The house is very grand and imposing with a huge dome and ornate architecture and a ‘temple’ in the grounds that can be seen from the A64 on a clear day.

The original Howard family still live in one wing of the spectacular country pile, with the rest opened up to the general public to admire.

On first entry you go up a grand stone staircase where, at the top, is a huge display cabinet full of Meissen dinnerware. I want a collection like that to be honest. Then it’s on through a gallery full of Greek and Roman marble sculptures, to the large hall with its most astounding dome.

Much of what’s in the Castle is very Italianate or Greek, and it’s very awe inspiring.

I’d love a study like the one there with the volumes of leatherbound books lining the rooms and a beautiful old style desk, which actually had the Lord of the Manor’s laptop sitting on it because the study is in use.

It really is a vast, imposing and amazingly grand home and the window treatments alone made me want to pick up my sewing machine and make some curtains and swags for my bay window. I may yet. I wish I’d taken more photos of the inside, but my camera battery ran out.

After a quick snack stop at the Fitzroy cafe (and an opportunity for the chap to fall in love with a doggy at the next table) we went out to the manicured gardens and finished off the day playing hide and seek, and rolling down the little hills, before it was time to head off for dinner.

I’d spotted the Crown and Cushion pub in Welburn a few times when heading out this way, but hadn’t gone in before. We had booked a table to ensure we’d definitely get in, and after hours spent wandering around the house and grounds of Castle Howard, we had definitely worked up an appetite. We enjoyed an absolutely delicious roast dinner, and little Miss even got a free Easter egg. Actually, the chap got a free ‘Black Sheep’ stein too, a gift from the landlord who I think appreciated his gift of the gab!

After such lovely food and such a warm welcome at the Crown and Cushion, I can definitely see we’ll be returning there again at some future point. By the time we were leaving, we were all thoroughly exhausted, but it had been an absolutely amazing day out, and a perfect way to spend Easter Sunday.

The next few weekends are filled with plans, which always makes me happy, but I’ll just have to make sure I get online and blog about it afterwards.

I hope you all had a lovely Easter.