Hodnet Hall has recently re-opened for the 2026 season so we took advantage of a sunny day for lunch and a walk around the gardens. We were tempted, as usual by the smoked mackerel Pate served in a dainty cup.
Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal and new life.
Janine Di Giovanni
4 Comments CherryPie on Apr 5th 2026
Recently we held a board games evening for our friends. There were seven of us in total which meant we could just about squeeze round the dining table to play the games.
Rather than cook a meal we decided to do a buffet spread which we laid out in the kitchen. This led to relaxed dining in the lounge rather than more formal dining around the table. I was pleased with how the spread looked, although I think we need a bigger kitchen!
2 Comments CherryPie on Apr 3rd 2026
Week 3 – Walk, Smile, Greet, Repeat
A couple of weeks ago my school reader volunteering didn’t go according to plan. It was careers day and the flow of children dried up so I called it a day. The weather was gorgeous and sunny so I chose to walk the long way home.
Surprisingly I met very view people along the way so I didn’t have many opportunities for a cheery hello. Whilst sitting on a bench enjoying the sunshine a dog carrying a large stick in its mouth bounded over to greet me much to the surprise of its owners. One of them passed a remark to the other ‘he never walks that way’. I suspect he was showing off his stick to me. The dog certainly brought a smile to my face.
No Comments CherryPie on Apr 1st 2026
Week 14 – Walk With Your Ears
Due to other commitments and unfavourable weather it took me a while to get around to a walk after my Tuesday afternoon volunteering shift at Attingham Park. My first walk of the year was a perfect opportunity for a ‘Listening’ walk. This time of year is filled with birdsong which is always a joy to hear. I was also treated to wind rustling through the leaves and the gentle sound of flowing water.
This chapter in the book mentions a study commissioned by the National Trust. Attingham Park, being a National Trust property was the perfect place for this walk. The study revealed that the following sounds bring us the greatest pleasure; birdsong, a running stream, rustling tree leaves, silence, twigs snapping underfoot, animal noises, wind whistling through the trees, rain falling on leaves, conkers hitting the ground and squelching mud.
I agree with all of them apart from squelching mud which has a sensory element to it that I find unpleasant.
The video below shows how beautiful the sounds were.
Click on picture to view video
2 Comments CherryPie on Mar 31st 2026
There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
Henri Matisse
2 Comments CherryPie on Mar 30th 2026
Today I was one of the walk leaders for the WWII community walk in Attingham Park. It has always rained when I have walked this route for the Attingham Park community walks. Today was no exception.
As we set off on the WWII part of the walk we were treated a spectacular grouping of deer near to the pathway. Despite us intruding on their peace and quiet the deer were quite calm until they were spooked by three more deer running to join them. Some of the deer got to their feet and the stag walked to the centre of his ladies and calmed them down.
There is part of this route where I have always got confused as to which path to take. One of the other walk leaders helped me to know which path to take when the pathway diverges and explained where the other pathway leads to.
I was under no time pressure to get home after the walk so I had lunch in the café. I couldn’t resist the National Trust ’scone of the month’; lemon and white chocolate accompanied by lemon curd and clotted cream.
2 Comments CherryPie on Mar 28th 2026
