For a change the bank holiday weekend was sunny rather than rainy. Sadly, we weren’t able to take advantage of the sunny weekend because Mr C was suffering with food poisoning.

Thankfully, on bank holiday Monday Mr C felt much better and we were able to enjoy a mini adventure to one of our favourite places, Hodnet Hall. We enjoyed mackerel pate for lunch and then a short walk to the walled garden before returning to the car to pick up some essential supplies from Sainsbury’s on our way home.

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.

Mr C took part in a webinar on Sunday morning so I spent my time colouring a page in one of Johanna Basford’s books. I started colouring the picture a couple of weeks ago and was keen to finish it before my colouring ideas faded into memory.

The webinar finished on time which meant that after Mr C’s late lunch we were able to go out for the afternoon as planned. Mr C suggested Hodnet Hall which was a perfect choice, it is local and open till 5pm. On arrival, the teashop was calling and on entering I was tempted to a slice of Elderflower and Gooseberry cake. Alas, Mr C, after his late lunch was in a sharing mood rather than a cake of his own!

Following our refreshments and cake sharing I decided that we should walk to the kitchen garden rather than a lake walk. I thought the garden would be full of flowers at this time of year. I wasn’t disappointed the kitchen garden was spectacular.

PS: I will photograph my colouring creation to share with you soon.

We arrived in time for lunch and we both ordered smoked mackerel pate.  It being a sunny bank holiday sunday we had to wait longer than usual for our lunch to arrive which meant that I forgot to take a foody photo when it arrived.

We explored different parts of the garden than we had on our previous sunday visit. It was a joy to see the spring flowers in bloom.

The sun had got its hat on so it would have been rude not to go out for lunch.

Hodnet Hall provides lovely lunches and cakes, a perfect choice. The gardens are lovely at this time of year with colourful blooms in flower and bluebells along the pathway.

Lunch and a sunny garden walk what more could I ask for…

Nisargadatta Maharaj

Robert Frost