Over to Audley for flowers and ducklings..

We popped over to Audley End this afternoon.  Started sunny but was pouring by the time we got back.

I'd just mentioned to Pete that there wasn't much sign of any young birds about when we came across these two dozing by the edge of the lake.

Bit of a stretch and a yawn
(dreadful photo but didn't have time to set up the camera before the moment had passed!

(The red 'mark' is only part of a discarded bud from the tree above them)

Around near the kitchen garden, the beds were so colourful..

 All the apple and pear trees were loaded with blossom

 
Then into one of the many greenhouses.. (nice and warm in there for humans as well as plants)

A very well established vine!

A maze cut into the grass by a lawnmower creating paths...

Outside the Kitchen Garden the tulips were magnificent..

A coot had a flutter..

and the formal gardens behind the house were sooo colourful..

and the finale... a family of 8 .... Mallard ducklings.