Bank Holiday Monday 28th May 2018

Hinton Ampner is a National Trust property near Alresford in Hampshire. So as it was a sunny Bank Holiday we thought we would join the millions of people already  out on the road, and visit a stately home.

Dad was still wearing his comedy “chapeau” so I thought I would join him with my rather more elegant Panama hat! It still didn’t stop us from posing for some silly photos!

I was rather surprised that Jane allowed me to take this photo of her, as she is rather conscious of her cellulite!

Although the car park was full to bursting, it was still quite peaceful to walk around these lovely gardens. There were great views across to the South Downs, and to pathways that we need to return another time in order to explore. This will have to be when Jane has returned to full fitness and is able to take on the longer walks.

The carp were willing recipients of any sandwiches that the visitors didn’t want for lunch, and the children seemed to delight in disposing of their unwanted food. Needless to say they didn’t get any leftovers from me!

The colours and fragrances of the garden were perfect for a lazy Monday afternoon.

This 13th century church is built on the foundations of an earlier Saxon church, I suppose it’s quite handy to have your own place of worship in the back garden!

Behind the church is Gander Down in one direction, and in the other the Meon Valley. This is also the site of the Civil War Battlefield of Cheriton where 2,000 Royalists were killed.

So we all had great Bank Holiday!!