Warnham LNR .. a short visit.

Was on my way elsewhere but popped into Warnham..  Generally fairly quiet but did see a pair of Teals.

The due Great Crested Grebes were present and fishing...

A wren obliging came relatively close for pics...

The usual culprits enjoying the sunflower hearts..

A few siskins about and a couple of female Reed Buntings.... will go back later in the week... :)

Rainham Hall... a first visit

Rainham Hall in outer London is a National Trust property that has only just opened to the public.

Built for Captain John Harle in 1729 the property was transferred to the National Trust in 1949 who let it to various tenants, and it opened to the public in October 2015.

As a result of many tenants living there, none of the artefacts remain... and the rooms are surprisingly small for a Georgian House.  However, it was interesting to see.

A very clever model, where drawers are pulled out showing the layout of individual floors.

Interesting bath.....  :D

 and then a wander around the small garden....

The Stables cafe was well worth a visit for a welcome cuppa and nice fruity scone!!

Well worth a visit!! and be interesting to see how things develop and what further exhibitions there will be.

Osterley House & Park on a winter's day

I used to visit Osterley quite a bit when I lived nearer so I was lovely to return today.

It was very very cold but the Mandarin Ducks ( 5 males & 2 females) didn't seem to mind at all

First visit was to the Stables Cafe where we had a warming cuppa and a lovely fruity scone..

And then off for a walk around the gardens..

Mr Ponders decided to brave the cold and have a look over the gardens..

The Orangery

and the walled garden..

Magnolia in bud.. it will look wonderful when the flowers fully open

and then inside the house.  Many of the artefacts are missing as they were not given to the NT when the house was.. but the rooms are wonderful...

Ivory..... :(

 
Mr Ponders gave a 'beak' with the cooking.. ;)

And although we were out for only the morning, given the bitter cold and that we're off to a concert this evening, we decided to head off home

Lovely to have visited again after all this tie though....