Monday 8 December 2008

Hardwick weekend (6/7 Dec 08)

I missed this trip - Thanks again to Daniel for the text and photos
photo of some of the volunteers arround a trailer
The group always spends the first weekend of December celebrating Christmas at Hardwick Hall. This year twelve of us made the time-honoured visit. We were blessed with two days of winter sunshine and starry night skies. On Saturday we cut down a small stand of sucker elms next to the approach road to the Hardwick Inn. The worksite was five minutes walk from the basecamp and we were glad to return there to warm up over lunch.before and after photo of the worksite

Megan spent the day preparing a sumptuous traditional Christmas supper, assisted inphoto of Daniel ready to carve the turkey the afternoon by sous chef Daniel. Afternoon tea was mulled wine and mince pies, followed a couple of hours later by the feast itself. The turkey that graced the table had been reared on the Hardwick Park farm. We spent the evening playing party games including building towers from spaghetti and marshmallows!

On Sunday we walked up to the Hall to listen to the carol singers. The entrance hall and several of the first floor rooms were decorated in the theme of a Christmas carol or song! We ate a little more turkey for lunch and ended the weekend with gifts from Secret Santa's sack.


Quarry Bank House - Gardens at Styal 30 Nov 08

Eight voluteers turned out on a frosty misty morning and spent the day with two bonfires, grubbing out and burning the remains of a group for cherry suckers that had grown up in the corner of the old orchard. Heavy work but it kept us warm.