Temperature dropping!

 The days became progressively colder with heavy morning frosts - very cold for duck scaring!!

The end of the week took us to Baddesley Clinton, east of Jake and John's place. As we arrived the snow (!) started to pelt down - now I've had every type of weather!

The National Trust house we visited had been in the same family for 500 years! It was rather interesting  to walk across the moat to enter the courtyard of the house.

During it's history the house became a place of refuge for Catholic priests. There was a very good example of a 'priest hole' -  a hiding place for priests during a time of persecution. The priest hole in this house was via the loo and the priests often spent up to 4 hours down the 'hole' before they were able to come out - they probably needed a dunk in the moat after that!

In the 19th century the house became a haven for four friends who became know as the 'Quartet'. One can only imagine the shenanigans that went on!

Before heading home we picked up Jake and John's granddaughters who were staying for the weekend.

There was great excitement on the Saturday as we visited Cadbury World near Birmingham. There was plenty of chocolate and it was a fun 3 hours! On returning home the girls went straight for the water pistols and although were told not to 'fire' at each other the warning went unheeded!

The duck problem was really taxing us so it was decided perhaps sitting a 'guy' beside the pool would definately help. The girls got right into the making and 'Lord Jeffrey' ( girls named him!) was soon seated at the pool!

Unfortunately the ducks must have had a tracking good laugh at our efforts as they continued to land on the pool!! A badger had also started digging up some of the garden - the joys of country living!!

After a very tight squeeze I finally got my case closed - time to head to London for my last few days! It was very sad to leave Jake and John as I'd had such a good time and we'd certainly done plenty of things! 

I am based for a couple of days in the heart of theatre land near Trafalgar Square. Yesterday I had a nostalgic wander down Oxford Street. It had changed quite a lot since I was last time - fewer people and closed shops! Next stop was the V & A museum. I think I walked 5000 steps trying to find where the stairs to the next floor were! I had a few hours wandering all the floors.

Seems like school holidays have already started! Unfortunately a number of special exhibitions and the Natural History and Science Museums were not open unless booked in advance! 

I went to theatre last night.

Saw the Mousetrap - it was a great production!