Green oasis

I am trying to raise some motivation to do some decorating at home, and as part of 'thinking myself into the mood' I set off last Saturday on a mission to gather some paint sample cards. It so happens that the nearest 'Sainsbury's Homebase' DIY store is not all that far from East Riddlesden Hall, our local National Trust property. So it occurred to me that it would be pleasant to pop in there as part of the trip.

I had rather underestimated the walking distance between the two places (1.5 km) and, as it was an extremely hot and humid day, it was with some relief that I turned into the gates. You are greeted by this wonderful green panorama, so refreshing on a hot day. (In fact, as I arrived, there was a wedding group having photos taken in just this spot. One of the great oak barns is hired out for weddings. But I was too hot to bother snapping them - and anyway I'm not as bold as some of you bloggers when it comes to photographing strangers.)

First stop for me was the delightful café for a long, cool drink and a piece of the delicious "Riddlesden Slice" - a moist cake made from rice flour, carrots, nuts and all manner of other lovely healthy things.