Journals, Country Visits and a Cuppa with friends.

Hello to everyone who calls in to see me today.

This is my first hybrid  page for the new challenge theme..... Landscapes of the Soul

 set for us by Elke

over at Art Journal Journey

The spread started off  with me sticking down some pretty floral napkins.on to the pages. I didn't add any paints at this stage as recently I have had a  few messy results. This time I decided that I would add a digital background in the white space together with the words and image. I found this new theme quite a challenge,but the words I found seemed to relate to how I often feel in my craftroom. Time has no meaning, I am happy with my own company and  hopefully pleased with what I have been creating

This part of my post is for a Tea day visit with friends over at 

Bleubeard and Elizabeths .

where we all made to feel most welcome with a drinks related post.

Last week we had a trip out to Cragside Hall a National Trust Property near where we live.

I added a link if you want to read more.

The first pair of photos show how the weather was so changeable  that day. Dull and a fog, then as the fog lifted out came the sun.

On the left is the main entrance and courtyard.






I took the next photo just to the left of this entrance ,
this show the very steep drop just over the wall.

It is all planted out with trees and shrubs, with plenty of walkways.

 . 

The trees were starting to change colour, I managed to get these shots before the fog appeared again.

Now a few  snaps from inside the Hall.

Most rooms we very dimly lit to conserve the paintings and the furniture.

The fireplace above is minute  in size to the magnificent one that is coming next.

How about this in your living room [called the Drawing Room  in the 1880's]

Its an inglenook marble fireplace, said to be 10 ten tons in weight.

Can you just imagine having to clean that.

Well the servants back in the day sure had  a never ending job tending to this fire.

Back now to a more friendly

area the kitchens















This cooking range  is still used today to give regular cooking demonstrations.

The baking end of the kitchen where they dainty cakes were prepared

This room was very dim, but I managed to get this photo of the table laid for the ladies of the house to have their afternoon cuppa.

After a walk in the gardens and a  visit round the house, we wanted something a lot more filling than a  small cake.

We went to  the  on site  Cafe and had  a Game Lasagne  and roasted vegetables.

It was coffee for my OH and my usual brew of a nice cup of tea, which was served in a nice white china teapot that  sits on the table out of the shot.


Thank you all for stopping by today.
Happy Tea day wishes to you all.

Digital information

 can be found in my side bar