Mr C and I spent yesterday at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire with my parents to celebrate my birthday. Amazingly the weather held for us and it was so unlike the autumnal weather that we seem to be having today.
I have to admit that I had no real idea what to expect from Anglesey Abbey as the location for our celebrations was mainly chosen for being roughly halfway between where my parents and we live. I was somewhat amazed though at just how much there was to see and do.
I was intrigued to know where this door went to. I'm guessing it was some sort of performance area in the woods - maybe?
As well as the Jacobean house and beautiful gardens there is also a huge amount of woodland that has been created into a nature reserve and teaching area, complete with bird hide, in additional to a lovely traditional mill. The site also has the most modern National Trust visitors' centre that I've ever seen. All very nicely done with a lovely big cafe/restaurant area with some very yummy food, including an afternoon cream tea!
Another added bonus was being able to pick up a couple of free packs of seeds as part of the Food Glorious Food campaign. I now have rocket and pumpkin seeds that I can hopefully grow when we're in the new house. In addition to this they were also giving away some small pots and markers as part of what seems to be a National Trust Greener Gardens scheme. Fantastic!
Mum and Dad have also realised just how interested I am in growing my own so I was delighted to receive a copy of Veg Patch: River Cottage Handbook No.4
. I've not yet had time to sit down and read it, but I'm hoping that by the time that it's the right time of year to start I'm going to be pretty well prepared!
. I've not yet had time to sit down and read it, but I'm hoping that by the time that it's the right time of year to start I'm going to be pretty well prepared! 
