Our Family Day Out....

Being National Trust members, a gift that was kindly given to us by my in-laws, we always like to make the most of having some wonderful National Trust properties that are practically on our doorstep. With today being Father's Day and all of us wanting a little family picnic and day out, we thought we would visit one of our favourites, Dunham Massey We have been going for many years and I love it there. Although the park and grounds are free ( £5 parking charge ) a family ticket would cost us £25.00 if we wanted to visit the gardens and house, so having a membership with the NT certainly saves us some pennies....

It was the first outing of the freebie CK bag too....

The weather looked like it was improving :0)

And the ducks came out to play....

Adorable cottages where presumably one or two of the workers may live....

Ohooo I would love to renovate something like this....

I couldn't resist going over and taking a peek through the window of the outhouse....

Oh my!! What a gorgeous singer table, and just left lying around ( or perhaps artistically placed ) like that, What I would give to get my hands on that....

Being Father's Day I couldn't resist this little photograph of father with son....

Next it was off to another gorgeous building.... 

And to take a closer look at the....

Miss Poppins couldn't wait to get a closer look at the wheel....

Good job we had packed a little picnic as little stomachs were getting hungry....

I have to share with you a photograph of the jute bag with the Daisy's on. Anyone who knows me knows I am a little Daisy crazy and when I heard Asda were going to be releasing this spring Daisy bag, the ones that you see at the ends of the tills, I couldn't wait to get one. I adore it....

Wonder which way we went next.... 

And of course there was the *shop* word for me....

You generally always know what shall await you in a NT shop though they are always nice for a little mooch....

And Master P loved the little reading area....

As for me, who finds it so difficult leaving a shop without buying something, even if only a penny sweet, saw something very appealing....

Yes, the little book came home with me, I think shall look charming displayed on a little shelf.

Outside, the glorious clock looked stunning against the blue sky....

Time for a little pit stop I think....

And after the sandwiches there were fresh strawberries and cream....

We had some lovely company....

I got a little closer....

And a little closer yet....

Then it was time for a house visit, as one was allowed to take photographs I couldn't resist sharing with you some of my favourite places....

The courtyard....

Me, pretending it is indeed my home ;0)

The children had fun as they got to do a little quiz whilst looking around....

Then we went inside and marvelled at the rooms....

I fell in love with the sash windows....

So much to take in when walking through the rooms....

I do think rooms in a house look so much prettier with some fresh flowers in them....

My goodness I loved these stairs....

Lovely bathroom....

We tried to play count the butterflies....

Then it was off to the kitchens....

I can't remember what this was used for....

I thought these would look pretty and come in very handy for my children's toys....

I wouldn't like to think how long it would take me to get all my families clothes clean using one of these....

And as for the ironing....

I couldn't resist a little peek in the sewing room on the way out....

Next it was time for a walk round the gardens....

A little tree hugging along the way, first up moi....

Then Miss Poppins....

A little feeding of the swans and their babies....( I have a son who is a little obsessed with spiderman hence the outfit, we have to literally peel it off him )

Taking in the wonderful surroundings....

And finally some well needed rest time before home....

A truly lovely day out. Hope you had an enjoyable day too....

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