I went west to Puxton and Tyntesfield..

I had hope to get away for longer but it was not to be... but I did manage to join Pete in the Gloucester area today.. amidst the showers and lovely warm sunshine.

We started off by visiting St. Saviours church in Puxton... a now disused church but fascinating nonertheless.

Having heard the dawn chorus on leaving, warblers then heralded the day with their wonderful song - Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and a Wren to name but a few.

I do like this rather peaceful scene of a contended cherub sitting and reading to the butterfly... (well -  that's how I picture it.....)

From there, via another church which regrettably wasn't open we headed off to Tyntesfield House and Gardens... another NT property which was fascinating.  It had been bought by the National Trust and all its contents were those that were in the house on purchase.  So... nothing had been added or brought in from other properties.  Some of the rooms were still being "arranged" and I understood that there were now more open than on Pete's last visit a few years ago.

We had a cuppa when we got there which was very welcome.  Then headed off around the gardens... we'd just started out when the first of a very few downpours happened.. sheltering under a tree we were soon able to set off again; the shower being short lived.

Tulips abounded everywhere and the colours were amazing.

We had lunch there - a very creditable Carrot and Coriander soup with a (shared!!) piece of rather lovely Carrot Cake... it was very tasty

Before we left, we had a cuppa and tried the (much recommended by Tyntesfield) light fruit cake... I have to say it was one of the best fruit cakes I've had!!

I'll leave you to enjoy the spring growth and colours...

If you've made it this far... thank you ... rather a lot of pics today but it was difficult to decide what NOT to include.. the variety was amazing..