Well, post 90 seemed to go down well with old fans so lets try again with this format of a few phone pic's taken whilst out surveying and a little text. Photos from yesterday, Tue 23rd May.
This week the Northwest area of Drinkwater Meadow, Pursefield Wood and back via the Millpond.
Outside the Stables is a wonderful Horse Chestnut currently sporting a cascade of flowering pinnacles
Back Door
I
have chatted to many visitors explaining that the front of the house as
they see it is actually the 'back door'. The first drive to the North
meeting the current A6 wasn't constructed until the arrival of the
railways to Disley. More on this further down.....
Heading down from the Stables and passing the North front of the House.
Often thought of only as a hedgerow, Hawthorn is used ornamentally along Hawthorn Drive with both Pink and White blossom varieties.
The Dark Passage
I wonder if every property has a place which everyone refers to and is completely meaningless to strangers. At Dunham recently, I was directed to meet someone at the 'Iron Gate'. At Lyme, the Dark Passage is where deliveries are directed to and I think bits are stored. I have never been inside but I gather it gives access for deliveries to kitchens and house without anything going into the courtyard.
The door to the Dark Passage
Looking over the wall at the end of the Pursefield ridge, the city of Manchester is clear to the eye (though not the phone camera). The hill in the distance behind the city is Winter Hill and the mast where our TV comes from
Same viewpoint - The Cage just right of centre and Derbyshire Hills in the distance
2017 has been an excellent year for Bluebells
Best Bluebells locations in the Park are the banks along Westpark drive, Elmerhurst Wood and Crow Wood. There is still time to see them.
Approaching Paddock Cottage through Pursefield Wood in brilliant sunshine
Bracken; it intrigues me every year how in late summer it is tall and thick yet disappears to crumbling brown dust by the next spring. The new young stalks uncurl as they rise.
View down Pursefield to the Cheshire Plain with Alderley Edge escarpment left of centre.
It was one of those amazing days when you can see the Welsh Hills but not in the photo unfortunately. Take my word for it :)
Paddock Cottage looking like a magazine shot
The tempting oak door of Paddock Cottage
Lyme is full of designed sight lines and The Cage can be seen from Paddock Cottage and visa versa.
There is some growth beginning to obstruct this view
Arriving at the House along the route of the original drive
The original entrance to the estate approached from behind the Knott, above Green Farm and curved around passing around Turtle Brew to reveal the wonderful angled first sight of the ornate South Face
The early visitor would have looked across grass to the wall above the Italianate Garden.
(The Car Park and Leylandii are later additions.)
As with the Hawthorn, Horse Chestnut also has Pink and White varieties.
This fine example is near the Timberyard entrance
It seemed the sort of day that 'Goldie' as I call it might be visible and I got my best view ever of this massive Golden Carp in the Mill Pond. Just above-right of centre swimming left to right.
Limes at Lyme
Different spelling; not related!
The heavy pollarding of the Lime trees near the route up from the car park to the hall was done alternately, presumably to reduce the impact as they do look ridiculous just after the work is carried out.
This row of Limes up from Information show that the plan is working
Unusually dense cluster of Germander Speedwell under one of the Limes
Mushroom Feet
Above the Dark Passage entrance you may have noticed the Meat Store.
The Meat Store is supported on legs with mushroom shaped tops. You see this in a larger version under wooden Chalets in the French Alps. It is designed to prevent small mammals climbing up into the building.
Mushroom Legs
Finally, the nemesis of the Conservation Ranger;
Rhododendron Ponticum - how many manhours have been spent cutting these back and burning?
But they are pretty when they flower!
Today's Track and Profile
Total: 2.7 miles
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