(no subject)

[turps]

Today we headed to Crook Hall,, which is a National Trust property in central Durham. It's actually not far along the riverbank from the Odeon we go to and just over the river from where the ice rink used to be and I spent years watching the Wasps, and yet I had no idea it was there. Apparently, the place was only taken on by the NT recently so despite never being before, we certainly will go back. It's such a lovely place with a series of interconnected gardens, small and easily walked around with multiple places to sit and enjoy the peace.

It was good to go somewhere new, especially as we're trying to get out for a walk every day. It's a delicate balancing act as any exertion makes James hurt and we have to go places with accessible toilets. But he also feels worse physically and mentally just staying in, so short walks where he knows he can rest it is at the moment

.

We made a friend, she kept leading us up various paths and I enjoyed thinking that she was some kind of guardian of the garden.

Comments

[dine]

what lovely garden spaces! and what a lovely guardian of the garden - how nice to get a personal escort around

[turps]

She was an excellent garden expert.

We did ask a gardener what the cat's name was but he didn't know anything about her. Obviously a guardian.

[jacieleigh]

What a lovely garden walk! And KITTY! Glad you made a feline friend!

[turps]

I was pleased when we found the cat, and that she stuck around. She was so cute.

[topaz119]

I’m so glad you’ve been able to find places for you and James to get out of the house. It’s such a spirit-lifter and that’s so important.

[turps]

Spirit-lifter is right. It was lovely to get out in the sunshine even if the walk wasn't that long.

[shadowhive]

Awww kitty! I love the first pic of her. It looks nice, so green

[turps]

I was so pleased to get the photo of the cat in the urn thing. She was so friendly and it really did feel she was leading us down various paths.

[frausorge]

What lovely surroundings to walk in! And it especially sounds good to have options for pausing along the way. And a most excellent companion too - surely you have found favor with the guardian and will be welcomed back.

[turps]

surely you have found favor with the guardian and will be welcomed back.

I would like to think so.

It really was a nice place with so many paths to explore. The seating situation was great too, and I loved that they had such a variety from standard wooden benches to metal sculpture kinds to old church pews.

[dreamersdare]

Those gardens look lovely. I wish to be rich enough to afford a house that has interconnected gardens that the dogs can guide people around. Is that a #lifegoals kinda statement? :)

[turps]

Is that a #lifegoals kinda statement? :)

It's an excellent statement.

The original owners who gave the property to the National Trust still live next door and you can see their property from the gardens. It's big but modern and I just thought that would be excellent, modern comforts but still able to easily access magical gardens.

[spikedluv]

Sounds like a great place to go for a walk. (I couldn't enjoy your photos, though. *sad face*)

[turlough]

Ooh, it looks like an absolutely LOVELY garden! You're so lucky to have such a gem close enough to visit whenever you want. And hopefully the equally lovely guardian kitty will be there to guide you every time!

[turps]

I still can't believe it's so close and I never knew. It's a place I can imagine will change a lot through the seasons and it has so many hidden areas with chairs and tables and places to just sit and relax.

I hope the guardian kitty is there next time too. She was beautiful and so friendly.