This Saturday we decided to see just how we could travel cheaply on the train and target to National Trust places, Packwood and Baddesley Clinton. Both place are Tudor era And have great gardens at this time of year. It was also ideal to test out the new camera. So we were up bright and early on on the Bus to High Wycombe to catch the train to Leamington Spa on the Chiltern Rail network. we arrived and paid for the tickets just as the train pulled in, perfect timing. The day was overcast and not too hot, ideal weather.
The train was a high speed express to Leamington Spa, great
With the English countryside whizzing passed, yes the camera could auto focus fast.
By 9:30 we were at Leamington Spa. Great, issue was the Hourly train to Laptworth had left at 9:25.
So we had to wait, at the station.
Once at lapworth we set of walking to Baddesley Clinton.
Walking along country Roads for about 30 Minutes
Passed the Local canal.
But great country lanes
Note the English Driver are very courteous,
so it is safe to walk along these narrow lanes.
Baddesley Clinton Hall is a Tutor Manor that has been evolving since about the 900's
Nice lambing fields around it with the hall next to a large pond and surrounded by a moat
We got there finally at about 11:20. about an hour later then planned.
But we were lucky it was a quiet morning and did not have to wait long to go into the house.
The house as mentioned has evolved over many centuries and has large gardens and Farm buldings.
Although the Servants quarters have long since gone.
The Different styles of architecture showed all over the place and added to the wonder.
The house has real charm, we so much to look and view.
Once inside, as expected it was dark inside.
NO FLASH allowed, this made a good test for the camera's ability.
And it coped brilliantly.
This is the dark chapel inside the house.
And it coped with Distance focal point through old glass.
Once outside again and went click happy.
The moot was first put around the house in 1100's and it is still feed by the local spring.
As for the Garden, The flowers were out in abundance.
The flowers were a buzz with bee's and so many different specimens as well.
The Kitchen Garden was also in full production.
But the house was the star here.
Once we had lunch in the stable yard, we were off at about 1:30 to Packwood
Along the way, we saw lots of old cars on the road,
we later found out it was the Lady vintage car owners club outing.
The walk took about 45 Minutes to get there from Baddesley Clinton.
But as we came into the clearing Packwood came into view.
Wow what a place, another place that had obviously been built over the centuries.
Many people were there and Jennifer could yes us relaxing just like them.
The hoouse was difficult to photograph as it had so much clutter around it.
And again once inside the camera came into it own again.
Again Low light and NO FLASH.
But once out in the Garden I had time to check out the
marco settings on the camera.
And it did well. I enjoyed taking pictures in the garden and flower beds were out in Full bloom
The gardens we the prize of this place.
I really enjoyed the garden and they helped relive the stress of the last few weeks.
The Walled Garden was perfectly designed and looked great.
Once we finished we went int the Cafe,
And of course Jennifer had to have her Scones, Clotted Cream and Wild Stawberry Jam
She has this every time we go to the National trust Cafe's.
We caught the train, right on time and 16:15 at Lapworth,
got a 10 Minute wait in Leamington Spa.
and we were home by 7:30 in the evening.
it was long well worth it day.
:-)