Petworth Park

Hmm I accidentally deleted my profile picture, so I have posted this photo again, so I can have a face!

Petworth Park
Originally uploaded by clareybella.

Let's go fly a kite....

"With tuppence for paper and string, you can have your own set of wings" - Dick Van Dyke

I rediscovered my childhood this weekend with Phil, on top of Butser Hill, Hants. We decided, after the gale force winds last weekend that we'd go and fly his kite somewhere. Unfortunately it was not very windy on Sunday, but not to be discouraged, we went to the top of Butser, which was the highest point we could think of.

Now, Phil's kite is nice, and sort of triangular, and a lot more professional than the last kite I remember, a plastic one from Thorpe Park, which I think we broke in about 10 minutes. However, in comparison to the other kites flying that day we had definite "Kite Envy". There were some there that were as big as tents, I swear!

Having said that, it was probably best that we had a little kite, cos I haven't flown one since...well, I don't remember. And consequently, I have discovered another sport I am completely rubbish at! With some expert tutition from Phil however, I improved, and could keep the kite in the sky for some time, though he had to stand behind me and stop me from waving my arms around....

I tried to take some photos to illustrate this blog, but none of them are very good. I found this on flickr though, which is a beautiful photo, and also much much better than any of my attempts!

A cultural excursion

This weekend I went to visit Petworth House and Park. Petworth (West Sussex), houses the National Trusts biggest collection of art, apparently rivalling the London Galleries. I can't really comment on it's art, as Phil and I went walking in the grounds instead, but the house is very Jane Austen-esque, I had quite Mr Darcy moment as we appeared at the house (think Elizabeth Bennett appearing at Netherfield with "6 inches of mud on her skirts").

There are huge old trees all over the place (much like the one I'm sitting on...) which presumably fell during one storm or another. Anyway, it was a great place to wander around for a few hours, and nice to get out of the house! As both Phil and I are National Trust members (we were "got" at the gate of Winkworth Arboretum - also always worth a visit!) I suspect there will be lots more of this sort of trip in the coming months... Well we've got to get our money's worth!