Claythorpe Watermill

We live within a few hundred yards of the watermill but

I have never paid my fee and gone inside for a proper look around.     

 Instead I have been like a child 

standing with my nose pressed against a sweetie shop window, 

as I stood on the bridge outside 

and looked in.

When I am rubbernecking

I sometimes take so long

that Toby dog stands up on his back legs 

to peer over the bridge

eager to see what has caught my attention.

It is beautiful.

The watermill has recently been sold.

The new people very generously dropped off cards

to all the local villagers,

inviting us to call in and visit

for free!

That was an offer I couldn't refuse,

especially as it has coincided with Jonathan's holiday

at home.

It is no longer a working mill, alas.

However, there is a very nice bygones area.

The grounds are beautiful,

but the main attraction is the wildfowl

and animals.

Peacocks and other ornamental birds roam free

and look spectacular.
On more than one occasion they have called in to visit Pear Tree Log gardens.
Their keeper has had to come along on a motor scooter
to shepherd them back up the road.
It is amazingly effective
and great fun to watch.

Ming Ming certainly gave her camera a work-out!

When we reached this section I had to smile.

For a couple of years I was convinced that there was a pink flamingo

in the grounds because I could see one as

I walked the dogs past the trout farm.

Then I decided that it had to be a plastic one,

because it never seemed to move.

I felt a bit of a twit for having been fooled by it...

Dreadful photograph, for which I apologise, but can you see the flamingo?

It turns out that I was right first time round

it is alive and doing very nicely indeed!

Again, this photograph doesn't do this very handsome bird justice,

he is gorgeous!

We enjoyed coffee and cakes in here,

one of two beautiful tea rooms.

The great news is that our free ticket gains us admission for one whole year!

The only down-side, for me, is that there are birds, including Snowy Owls, caged in small aviaries.

There are two wallabies in a compound

and a pair of marmoset monkeys.

I have no doubt that they are all beautifully cared for,

but it is not how they should live.

That part upset me deeply.

I will reserve judgement until I see what the new people do to enrich their quality of life.

We have Jonny and Ming Ming with us for a few more days.

The weather has been superb, for the main part.

I will post about the tea ceremony and show you some of the wonderful

meals which Ming Ming has cooked

at a later date.

Thank you all for your comments, they are very much appreciated.

I know Ming Ming enjoys reading them too

(so does Jonny)

just don't tell him that I told you.

x