The ghosts of Nunnington Hall

Hello,

Thank you for your kind comments on my last few blog posts. I am sorry I haven't visited your blogs that much lately. The thing is, I can hardly find the time. I have taken up dancing (Lindy Hop) and together with the choir I sing in and off course family, friends and work, it takes up a lot of my time. I have decided to take a short blog break, as my brother is getting married in the middle of December as well and I am the photographer.  I will be back asap.

This summer the girls and I stayed for a week in a lovely cottage in Nunnington in North Yorkshire. What made our stay there even more special, is that we had a real country house on our doorstep 'Nunnington Hall'. It was built in the 17th century on the banks of the river Rye and once the home of the Ruthland family.

The hall is believed to be haunted, not only by the ghost of lady Nunnington, whose dress is heard dragging up and down the staircase, but by the ghosts of children as well. Others heard a party going on in rooms downstairs, but upon investigation the sounds couldn't be heard. As we wandered from room to room we enjoyed listening to the stories of the house and it's inhabitants. And no.....we did not see any ghosts :-)

The garden is a delight to walk through, with a rose walk, a meadow, a vegetable patch and colourful borders. There is a lovely tearoom and the possibility to play croquet on the lawn, which the girls and I always enjoy doing.

I hope my photo's do the hall and it's garden justice. I captured what caught my eye. If you would like to know and see more. Please have a look at their website.

Almost forgot. The winner of the book Besondere Frauen und ihre Gaerten by Callwey publishers is Janneke from the blog Het bloeiende buitenleven. Congratulations dear Janneke. I am sure you will find lots of inspiration inside. Will you please mail me your address, so that I can send the book your way?  I would like to thank the other ladies for taking part in my giveaway. I hope you will have more luck next time. 

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead! See you soon!

Love,

Madelief x

Gardening book giveaway

 

It was cold and rainy in the garden today. After a stormy week I decided to check if the roof was still on my garden house and the glass panes of my greenhouse weren't smashed by big branches which had fallen from the trees. The damage was minimal. A few terracotta pots were broken and my rain pipe had come loose. It could have been a lot worse.

In between taking photo's and doing some work in the garden, I warmed up to an ancient bathroom stove I found in a thrift store years ago. My late husband rewired it and since then it functions perfectly. I am so grateful to have it. On days like this when it's only two degrees Celsius, it's necessary to warm your hands and feet now and then.

I was amazed to see that there are still roses in bloom. Not one or two, but a whole bush. There are catkins on the hazel tree already and several plants are making new shoots. Somehow it's reassuring that after these dark and cold autumn and winter days, spring will arrive once more.

I am not sure if you remember, but a few weeks ago I promised to do a giveaway. Callwey publishers kindly permitted me to give one of their gardening books to you. It's called Besondere Frauen und ihre Gaerten. The book is about some well know and lesser known German ladies and their gardens. The photography is beautiful.

If you are interested, please say so in your comment. Keep in mind that the book is written in German.


Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Love,

Madelief x

A burst of colour and beauty

At this bizarre weekend, when great part of the world is in grief over the people who lost their lives in Paris, I post this burst of colour and beauty. I hope it will brighten up the darkness and lift the spirit. If only a little.

My thoughts are with the people who lost family and friends, with the people who sat on a terrace under the light of the lanterns, enjoying each others company. My thoughts are with the people who were dancing to the music of one of their favourite bands. My thoughts are with the people who lost their innocence and whose lives will never be the same because of what they witnessed. My thoughts are with the beautiful city of Paris, so many of us enjoy and whose scar will take some time to heal.

My burst of colour and beauty was taken on a fine summer morning at Thornbridge Hall, a beautiful house and garden in The Peak District. Where flowers tumbled over each other, ivy crept up the windows and dragonfly's hovered over the pond, while my daughter and I sat on the grass eating a sandwich. Why can't life always be this simple?

Wishing you Love and Peace,

Madelief x