2018 Other Activities
June 9th 2018
We are planning a trip to Barnsdale, home of the late, legendary Geoff Hamilton, former Gardeners' World presenter. The small gardens are still as Geoff planned them but now kept up to date and improved by his son Nick and a team of experts. There is a lovely cafe, garden shop and nursery where produce can be perused and bought. Following on from this we will go to Whitwell on Rutland Water where those who wish, can take a boat ride aboard the Rutland Belle. There is a cafe here as well with a small shop. Lovely walks around or alongside the water can be taken instead of the boat ride.
Spread the word amongst family and friends and names can be put on a list from January.
Details of cost and timings - Coach - £10.50
Barnsdale - £ 7.00
Rutland Belle - £ 7.50
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£25.00 per person
Timings will be - Leave Milton Malsor at 9.00am and Collingtree at 9.05am
The Boat trip is at 3pm so we will be leaving Whitwell around 4.45pm.
Review of the day.
The day was fine but not particularly sunny as we set off from Milton on our short journey to Rutland. The countryside is very attractive for most of the journey and we arrived at Barnsdale in time for coffee. Nick Hamilton came aboard the coach to give a few pointers and to hand out maps of the gardens and stickers so that we could go in and out of the gardens to the shop, nursery and loos.The gardens were looking particularly beautiful with colourful flowers, shrubs and trees in every direction. We stayed until 2pm so had time to plan a lunch break which was taken by some in the garden and others in the delightful cafe. The staff although very pleasant, weren't in a hurry to serve us and we rather felt that time was wasted. They didn't seem to have the facilities for dealing with a coach full of people besides their usual visitors.
The 5 minute journey to Whitwell meant that we had time for a walk beside Rutland Water or sit and partake of ice creams etc before the boat trip. Some of us went inside the boat and other, somewhat braver ones went inside. The wind had got up a little by the end of the trip so the brave ones on top were glad of jackets, but the views were wonderful.
A short trip back to Milton and some of us went off for an evening meal at the Greyhound or surrounding eateries. An enjoyable trip and thanks, mainly to Sheila for organising it.
April 26th 2018 - The bluebells are slow to flower this Spring so the date is later than normal.
Our next horticultural event is our Annual Bluebell Walk. In recent years we have taken a delightful walk from East to West Hunsbury, through the parks, taking in the fabulous bluebells in East Hunsbury, the Drovers Cafe on West Hunsbury, where we stop for refreshments, followed by the old drovers road and parkland in West Hunsbury. This year is no exception and we are waiting to decide which day is the most popular with our members.
We will leave Pyghtle Way at about 9.30am.
A delightful walk was undertaken by 7 of us plus Janet's four legged friend, Jade enjoying the Spring sunshine and refreshments at The Drovers' Return.
February 22nd 2018
The day dawned bright and sunny and 16 members, husbands and family set off to Pavenham in Bedfordshire to visit two gardens which were open for charity. The two gardens were in walking distance of one another in delightful surroundings and we were made very welcome by the two ladies who lived there. Coffee, tea and cakes were served.The visit included a walk to the Church to view the snowdrops and aconites in the churchyard which were magnificent. It was just like a carpet of yellow and white drifting over a huge area.
Following the visit we set off to Yardley Hastings where we reconvened for a very pleasant lunch at the Red Lion Inn.
For previous years, see the Archive section.