Over The Hill

This morning's walk took Malcolm and I over Shipley Hill and round the woodland and old Italianate gardens which once belonged to Shipley Hall. As always, the views from the hill were rather good as we looked south, towards the tall chimney of Ratcliffe -on-Soar power station.

Through the woodland, we came upon the remains of a folly. It is rumoured that this folly was constructed by the Miller-Mundy family of Shipley Hall, to give 'Bertie' the then Prince of Wales, somewhere to be 'intimate' with his various mistresses when he was staying. I couldn't possibly comment!

The formal, Italianate gardens of Shipley hall are, like the hall itself, long gone, but the grounds are still well cared-for and looking good, despite the recent drought.

Back through the trees again and time for another look at the view...

Then it was homeward once more for wonderful birthday lunch - not feeling over the hill at all!