After not quite making it to Attingham Park yesterday I was able to have an afternoon walk there today. I had been wavering in my intention, the weather was sunny with a few fluffy white clouds in the sky but it was rather windy. Was I in the mood for a windy walk?

I had to smile as I was driving there. There was a sprinkling of rain which had not been in the weather forecast. It brightened up again until I stepped out on my walk. Then it started to spot with rain. I chose to carry on with the walk but walked quickly around the walled garden which is one of my favorite parts of Attingham. I wanted to finish my walk but I didn’t want to get caught in the rain. I had my umbrella but it would have been useless in the gusty wind.

Walled garden behind me I was now under the cover of trees, walking along the ‘mile walk’, a pathway that I particularly enjoy. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a bench that had been removed several years ago had been reinstalled in a favourite place of mine to ’sit and rest a while’.

Despite the threat of rain I chose to ’sit and rest a while’ before continuing along the ‘mile walk’. As I emerged from under the trees the capricious grey cloud had passed by and the sun came out.

I couldn’t resit venturing into the deer park. I wasn’t disappointed. The deer were present rather than hiding in the far reaches of the parkland.

After my walk I was in need of refreshment so I stopped at the Mansion Coffee House for a cool drink. I was plagued by wasps so it wasn’t very relaxing!

Whilst I was not quite enjoying my refreshing drink I was entertained by a squirrel that ventured under the tables in search of tasty morsels. I managed one quick photo and was lining up for a better (squirrel in focus shot) before a clueless youth exclaimed ‘Oh a Squirrel’ and stomped towards it only to be surprised that it disappeared rather quickly!