Anglesey Abbey Bridge

This bridge at nearby Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust property, was repaired by one of our neighbours recently. It is photographed by lots of visitors.

Walk this morning

Earlier, we went for an walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. By road, this is 5.3 miles away. It is owned by the National Trust with grounds big enough to avoid people even when busy. As this is the school Easter holidays, there were plenty of people there!

Anglesey Abbey Walk

This afternoon in the winter sunshine we did a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. Even this afternoon, it was still frosty, so it must have been very cold last night. Although there are now plenty of snowdrops in flower, we saw no daffodils out yet. There are a very few daffodils out, but not the way we walked.

Swan

This swan was enjoying a bit of quiet time at Anglesey Abbey earlier. There is a nest there and I think the pair of swans are taking turns on it.

Autumn flowers

Autumn cyclamen at Anglesey Abbey earlier this week. Photo taken by my wife. At every time of the year there is something to enjoy there. Dahlias are nearing their end and in a few months the first daffodils will be out.

Trees at Anglesey Abbey

• Not much to see at this time of year, but new growth is just around the corner. These were some trees at Anglesey Abbey yesterday.

Anglesey Abbey in winter

We visit the extensive grounds at nearby Anglesey Abbey, owned by the National Trust, most months.  There is always something to see whatever the season.  Everything is early this year because it has been so mild down here. Many snowdrops are out, some daffodils are already dying and lots of other flowers are in bloom.  The photo shows one of the lawns in winter with bare trees. The weather is expected to be much colder next week. I wonder what happens if we get a really cold snap?

Anglesey Abbey

We visit this local National Trust property most months. It is just 4 miles down the road. At the moment the seasons are crazy.

There are daffodils out (some were out in late November!), snowdrops, hellebores and others. Some trees are in blossom. I'd guess things are some 4-6 weeks early. Mad weather! It feels more like late February or early March than December before Christmas.

Very early daffodils

This evening we went to nearby Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust property near Cambridge, to see the winter lights. To our utter surprise there were a couple of daffodils already out. This is only Nov 28th!! This particular clump is always early, but November is just odd.

Autumn here (almost)

The leaves are starting to fall now in our garden and another few weeks will see autumn set in strongly.

Our garden - leaves now falling fast.

This morning we went to Anglesey Abbey (National Trust) where the weather was good with temperatures due to reach the low 20 deg C mark this afternoon.

Anglesey Abbey - leaves starting to fall. Colours changing.

Are we being spoiled? Is this the calm before the storm of a very harsh winter?

Anglesey Abbey in autumn

Today we went to Anglesey Abbey (National Trust) for what will be a series of visits this autumn as the leaves change colour and fall. We hope to visit most weeks, weather permitting. Some trees are turning, but most (Oct 5th 2014) are still green-leafed. A few cold snaps and autumn gales could change things.

Pilgrim's Lawn - Anglesey Abbey (NT), Oct 5th 2014 3.30pm

Even when Anglesey Abbey is busy, at the weekends, Pilgrim's Lawn tends to be quite quiet. It is not on the main "winter walk"  and "mill" route that most visitors tend to take. The dahlias have been good again, but have now finished.

Anglesey Abbey with granddaughter

Today has been quite an energetic day for me. Firstly I walked to and from the doctors.

Then "Active For Life" at the gym in Newmarket and then, after lunch, a 1.82km walk at Anglesey Abbey (National Trust). The latter was with our son and his daughter. At the end I was very tired.

The picture shows a line of dahlia heads stretching nearly as far as the eye can see with one of our sons and granddaughters.

Anglesey Abbey (National Trust)

Anglesey Abbey (NT)

This afternoon we went to Anglesey Abbey (NT) for a walk of about 1.6km. The dahlias are still out but they are now past their best.  They have a novel way of using the old dahlias heads - see picture. Some are in a 220m line of dahlia heads and some are hung from a tree as in the photo.

Although still giddy and I tire easily, the walking itself is not problematic. In fact I enjoy it very much. We bumped into 3 old friends whilst there.

Anglesey Abbey with grandchildren

This morning we took the "London" grandchildren to Anglesey Abbey,  National Trust . We've been there loads of times, but the children enjoy having races and playing "hide and seek". At the moment, the dahlias are fantastic. This photo is  of the children in the dahlia garden.

This afternoon we went to Moon's toyshop in Newmarket.

Afterwards I was totally exhausted because of my stroke. I get fatigued very quickly right now.

Anglesey Abbey with grandchildren - normality

Amandine and Lucien

This morning we took the grandchildren Lucien (6) and Amandine (3) to the nearby Anglesey Abbey grounds for a run around, a play with a frisby, some races and a simple picnic. What was so good for me in my present state of health (stroke) was the sheer NORMALITY of the morning. The grandchildren hardly noticed my stroke and, to them, it was the sort of thing they always do! It was so nice to just enjoy them in the same way I've always done. Afterwards I was tired but the little one is having a sleep and Lucien having a quiet time.

Lis with grandchildren