Inspiration

We had a fantastic weekend. There is not a lot to write, but a lot to look at. Bitterly cold winds swept across Dorset, but accompanied by bright sunshine – the best sort of winter day. We decided to visit Montacute, that fantastic Elizabethan house on the Somerset border, whose garden I thought might be looking rather perfect in the clear austere winter light. We set off, calling into the little town of Crewkerne on the way.

I love Crewkerne, with its perfect combination of sublime classical town architecture in dark orange Hamstone, and the charm of a place that is not over-done up. At all.

The Church of St. Bartholomew watches over the town, and is beautiful.

I loved this pile of orange chairs and ancient framed pictures on the back wall.

Charlie and I had a good haul at the Crewkerne Antiques Centre…

China dogs anyone?

The butcher’s shop signage spoke of a prouder era for our small towns:

I was sad to see the bookshop, that I first visited I guess 15 years ago, has gone. A fantastic opportunity for someone perhaps? Hence this photo:

One of the beautiful late Georgian houses that are found on every corner. It’s a fine town, with a spirit of its own.

A short drive through deep, narrow Somerset lanes took us to Montacute.  Elizabethan vistas spread across the brown-green-grey landscape.

Your first glimpse of a drift of snowdrops is always a cheering sight:

The pair of tiny pavilions at either corner of the East Court are like jewel-boxes:

The perfect orangery:

Montacute has the almost perfect architectural garden. Signs of spring in the east court:

And home… to find the last rays of the sun at the Old Parsonage. It occurred to me it’s a very long time since I’ve posted a photo of the OP. You will be reassured to know that nothing has changed:

But all is good. On Saturday night, we had our Burns Night supper in the village hall. By all accounts the revels carried on until 5 in the morning. Sunday was an extremely quiet day in the village.