Such a thrill to wake up this morning with tickets booked and lunch packed for an outing somewhere where the loos would be open! (Priorities! And it's amazing how you don't actually need to go as long as the opportunity's there!)
And how wonderful to have a change of scene ... with bees buzzing and the new lavender in the cherry garden looking simply stunning and apricots ripening against the wall of the Orangery. The gardeners here have done a terrific job with a very small team. Only 150 tickets are being released each day, so it felt almost like our own private garden. I last walked down here a few weeks ago and peeped through locked gates, thinking that this house - built in 1610 - has survived 400 years of plague and epidemics and it did feel kind of reassuring that it's still standing
So three cheers to the National Trust for restoring the much missed, perfectly-normal summer day out. Even if we did have to wait until we got home for a cup of tea.
I visited here last year with my newly discovered cousin. In fact, it was our first day trip out together and we had a lovely day. The gardens were glorious and we had a lovely walk from Richmond along the river to Ham House. You're so right about the loo!
ReplyDeleteTake care
xxx
I walked back along the river, Vronni - quite a long walk by my standards! - and there were heartening signs of things opening up again, restaurants doing pricey takeaways and a new ice cream stand from one of my favourite shops that had only been up and running for a week, they said. I was very glad I'd resisted the temptation of Mr Whippy before I got that far! He's no match for pistachio, vanilla and strawberry sorbet - and I know that's an odd combination, but I couldn't make up my mind!
ReplyDeleteVery glad we chose yesterday and not today with all this rain - that's the trouble with booking in advance but all spontaneity has been cancelled!
What a wonderful day out that must have been. I love walking along the river to Ham House - and hailing the little ferry boat - so dashed to the National Trust website to book my slot. All sold out! I suppose that's hardly surprising, so I will have to haunt it and hope to be lucky next time.
ReplyDeleteThe little ferry is still running, xiaomao. NT slots are released on Fridays for the week to come and you have to be quick. You might be lucky and nab a cancellation, but even then bookings close at 3pm the day before. Good luck! No priority access for members/volunteers so it's very democratic!
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to get a slot at Wakehurst Place for next week. Though as a member of the NT it might have been nice to get an email about the reopening. I only found out by chance.
ReplyDeleteThat's something to look forward to, Lucille. I'm going to try for Osterley next week, and that'll be a first venture onto the Tube! I guess if it was better publicised you'd have even less chance of getting a ticket!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Ham House. It was on our list to go to when visiting daughter Laura in London, but then she had a baby, which has curtailed our travelling round the area (small person throws up on every form of transport) and then lockdown happened anyway. One day...
ReplyDeleteMaybe wait until the house reopens, Pam - it's just the garden at present.
ReplyDeleteYes, the loos are a dealbreaker. Been on a socially distanced picnic where I had to resort to the bushes! Lovely photos.
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