Looking forward to the summer and loving this image by @F10naaa

I’m not Altrincham born and bred so there are still lots of places in the local area still undiscovered to me. Some I’ve heard a little of and earmarked them for further investigation and one of these is Walkden Gardens, or at least the building that led me there. I’d heard about the Dovecote, the last remaining part of Sale Old Hall which had been moved from its original location and eventually restored brick by numbered brick in its current location.

Nestled in an unassuming location off a busy road in Sale the gardens really are a hidden gem. The Dovecote stands prominent in a lawned area with seating and walls created with stones from a nearby cemetery. The gardens follow in a collection of open spaces, carefully manicured themed gardens, woodland areas and walks. From the structure of the Japanese and fuchshia gardens to the natural beauty of the bluebells woods there’s something to delight every taste. The wisteria arch was resplendent when we visited and the entrance brought together my three favourites, bluebells, magnolia and, of course, wisteria.

It’s well worth a visit and I’m sure every season brings its own unique beauty.

Two present day pictures of a place very dear to my heart, courtesy of @wearemcr and @peroxide_sasquatch

Well, what a weekend. Gorgeous sunshine and a rather eventful Saturday evening. What should have been a short drive back from neighbouring Wilmslow took us 4 hours and involved the A538 being sealed off in our honour and a short ride with Cheshire police! No, I wasn’t arrested, my lovely son’s car broke down on a roundabout and the lovely local constabulary sealed off the road while they pushed him round it and into an airport access road on the other side. This left my daughter and I temporary stranded until a very kind young officer gave us a lift in the patrol car.

Most embarrassing moment of the day had to be the four policemen returning half an hour later to return the sunglasses I’d dropped in the footwell of the car!

Sunday was definitely more chilled with a visit to one of our local ice cream farm, Seven Sisters in Knutsford.  This pretty little farm has the most delicious ice cream in the most beautiful of surroundings.

The great weather was still with us on Monday so I managed a sneaky little stroll round Stamford Park in the sun before accepting the reality of the working week.

Two today, one from my lovely daughter via @taffeta.events and a hello to summer from @jacyandjools