E. COMPTON VISIT (continued)

If you’re wondering why this visit takes up 2 separate pages, I am as well.  Somehow I had very cleverly centred the last post and then couldn’t change it back to this more normal layout.  Eventually, this appeared to be the only solution.  

The property is quite extensive - with large, open spaces.  Over the short time I was there this time, I saw 2 (possibly 3) deer, 3 or 4 rabbits and a couple of squirrels wandering past.  There was also a well fed cat, clearly aware that the dog was on holiday.  Between Centre Parcs and East Compton, I’ve seen more “wild” animals in the past 2 weeks than I’ve seen in a long time, and it’s been quite “exciting”.  Somehow I hadn’t expected that in built up areas, in the UK of all places.

So Wednesday arrived, with a departure time of 8.00 pm, and consequently an early start to allow for a visit to The Newt.  It employs 500 staff - between the grounds, eating places, ice-cream parlour, gift shop etc. etc.  Philip later told me that we had covered 3 miles, just wandering.

                                   A lot of different plants were trained this way - that one was apples
                                                       Looked far more impressive in real life
                                               Again, really lovely view - but not showing here!
                                     Philip and Rosemary wondering how long I was going to take
                                                               As far as the eye could see!


There’s a bird in the chimney, keeping an eye on things
and a tree trunk I was quite impressed by - but I think it must have moved

It was a lovely, relaxing day - we had lunch under the trees and an icecream under some different trees - then “home” for dinner.   Sarah arrived at 8.00 pm with the news that her mum was out of hospital, and we got back to Ray’s just over 2 hours later.   An unexpected opportunity to see my big brother again - which I think he seemed quite pleased about too - and for which I am very grateful.


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