Happy Birthday Hubby!

What a beautiful day it has been today - the perfect day for 'Birthday Boy', myself and the two dogs to spend at Audley End. I think the temperature today must have been pretty close to 30 degrees Celsius. 

The dogs enjoyed the day as much as we did.

Percy giving me a big 'smile' - he is always happy, except perhaps when he has had enough of being pestered by Stanley.

Stanley is another happy boy.

Both dogs were loved to bits by three lovely children who spent some time sitting with them and giving them cuddles.  Percy especially enjoyed lapping up the attention.

Another stop - this time in the shade.

Profile shot.  It was Stanley's first big outing out - he has just been going on short walks 'around the block' with us until today.  He was a perfect traveller, and settled down to the just over an hour journey there and back.  He was very good the whole time we were out as well.  What a star!

Of course no day is complete without some flower and bee photography.

This was a perfect ball shaped dahlia - so pretty.

Some unusual gourds being grown.

Wish my pumpkin looked like this - mine amounted to...nothing!

Spring time at Audley End

Yesterday we went to Audley End - we haven't been for a few months so it was nice to go back and see what was happening now Spring is here. 

The gardens were gorgeous so we were not disappointed.

The tulips were magnificent - such lovely colours.

These looked ever so pretty in the glass house.

I liked this - wouldn't mind putting something up like this in our garden.

The waterfall was flowing well too.

One thing that is great about going to Audley End is there is a big expanse of space for Percy to play 'races' up the top of the hill above the house.  Not only is the view lovely there, but it is one of the highlights of Percy's visit too.

He just loves racing Mark.  Guess who always wins?!

Beautiful Day out - Audley End.

This is what our summer should have been like!  But I am not complaining, I just love these glorious early summer like days of Autumn, where the skies are a clear blue and the sun is warm.

We made the most of the day by going out to English Heritage Audley End.

The good thing about going to these places during the week at this time of year is that there is hardly anyone around!

Which means we can wander around 'our' stately property and simply enjoy the peace and quiet.

When the weather is like this there seems to be a feeling of complete tranquility

The back of Audley End.

Side view.

I have posted similar pictures before, but with the changing seasons the colours are always different.

The ducks were enjoying the sunshine on the water.

The flowers were glorious.

Such a richness of colour.

I just love the vibrancy of these flowers.

Gourds growing

Autumn harvest displays laid out

Wonderful shapes and colours.

Tomatoes

Grapes

Wonderful purple aubergine

Sitting in the sun and soaking up that Vitamin D

The water was wonderfully reflective

Bottoms up!

Percy enjoyed his day out.

Just before we came home we took him up the hill and let him off and he ran races with my husband.

Great fun!

Weeee I can fly!

Working hard.

Look, no feet!

I think they both enjoyed themselves!

It was a truly wonderful day - only marred by the quiche that I didn't realise had been made with goats cheese....it tasted like an old Billy goat smells!  I was almost sick and I still feel like I have that taste lingering inside.