After Llangollen in Wales we headed into England across to Norton in Sheffield to Marg and Kev's place to catch up with their family, and basically "untravel" and unwind.
Weather was great at the Barn
The 3 Faulkner Grand kids were awaiting
Jack and Emm's holding their new cousin - baby Oliver
And the Grand Dog - Chester, Matt and Abi's babe
and the lupins were in full bloom in back patio garden
Leanne and Jack playing Diablo while Jack and Emm's Dad - Daniel (Margaret and Kevin's eldest son) oversees.
Jack's school holds an after school club where the kids were being shown "circus" acts, juggling, plate spinning and "diablo" - and he was very good at it.
Nick (Marg and Kev's middle son) his wife Clare, baby Oliver and Matt's Abi walked to the Barn to join us
and of course Chester
It was a lovely warm evening - Abi's enjoying the late afternoon sun.
As was baby Oliver
Uncle Nick's turn to learn Diablo from his nephew
What a team - actually passed it 6 times without dropping it.
Nick and Oliver on a walk around the courtyard
Jack's most content with this evening's circus activities!
GRAVES PARK
Next door to Norton Hall, and the converted barn and stables is 12th Century - St. James Church
It is the oldest church in Sheffield
Norton Hall (below) is now converted Apartments
a delightful situation really
with an 150 acre park adjoining it - Graves Park
The rhododendrons are in full bloom
wonderful for long morning walks
and late afternoon strolls.
There is a lake
with ducks, a variety of water birds and of course swans
The park has a farm
breeding Highland Cattle
and a variety of sheep
There is a children's farm in the corner
naming it's pigs after moi!!
many babies to choose from
and our favourite - angora goats.
Back at the Barn - Jack and Chester take on the ball
This dog is really something else
it doesn't seem to realise it's a canine
Uncle Nick joins in the game
but Chester is still in control
Chester - you're "sent off"
Next -
3 generations watching the footie.
Emm's takes on the "spots" indoors
Jack, Leanne and Emm's take baby Oliver for a stroll.
and he is a happy boy after that walk
I was so pleased about that.
******
THE COURTYARD'S KESTRELS
Have nested in a tree behind the Barn
and for weeks - Kev has been watching and photographing their activities
and while we were there some fledgling blackbirds became their target
Mum blackbird was so distraught after the first babe was taken into a pot plant
as we believe it was too heavy to carry - a magnificent raptor - though my heart went out to the Blackbirds.
Britain's smallest falcon - the only one that can really hover above it's prey
******
BACK TO THE CIRCUS
It's time now for Uncle Matt (Margaret and Kevin's youngest)
to learn this "Diablo"
Jack is the "Champion"
What a delightful few days - wonderful to catch up with the family, and see baby Oliver, and to unwind.
****
Next, we move to a Cottage in the town of Castleton in the Peak National Park to spend a week with our great friends from New Hampshire - Anne and Henry.
