Being there ... Oxburgh Hall (the outside)

Now, if you checked the link out in the last post, it is worth pointing out that the cover (iconic) reflective image of the Hall on the website was taken and presented to the National Trust by a visitor. I do not claim to have a camera (let alone skill) of that quality. However, in keeping with the quality of the weather of the day, I am more than pleased with my efforts. 

So enjoy the following sample of our day at Oxburgh Hall.

These were our first glimpses, the eastern side ... one before we entered and the first one after we did so; from outside the wall and then inside the wall across the partere and the moat. Given my stops along the way (see previous post) we had coffee and cake on arrival at the cafe outside the entrance to enjoy the still sunshine. It really was nice to soak up the day - being there.

The second photo above was taken across a border hedge while I was talking with a volunteer gardener. During the conversation, another visitor pointed out a barn owl off to the left of the picture. As you might imagine in my current mindset we set off for the walking path in that direction! The inside would wait.

What a privilege to spend the next 15 minutes immersed watching the owl go about its business ... gliding and hovering and diving over the marsh! One of those totally unexpected and unplanned joys of being there. Here are two shots ... one of the gliding and one of a rest on a fence post ...

The next several photos show that we continued on the outside path and explored the woodland walk while we were "out" and it remained still and warm (it was unusual so far for the day not to deteriorate to cloud cover and rain). More treats just by being there. The next two show off the view across the "barn owl marsh" showing the southern fascade and the same view as we entered the woodland and surveyed the Hall bringing a lambing paddock and newly sprung tree into landscape ... the cloudy blue sky adds a spectacular backdrop! So much to see when you are being there.

Into the woods. Some fantastic views through the tunnels around the paths and plenty of evidence of the spring flush and in one how quickly the many nests will soon be far more difficult to spot. 

 

 

We also came across a deer grazing in an ajoining field on the young shoots ... as big a treat as the barn owl when it paused to gaze right at us. The few we have seen in other places (and earlier on this walk) are very skittish so it was such a treat that this one allowed us more than a fleeting glimpse. As you can see, there are other unexpected things you come across in the woodland too!

Then after a couple of miles circuit you emerge and get to take in the western fascade. A little further on is their own private church - Oxburgh is one of the catholic strongholds that survived (at considerable cost) during Henry VIIIs and Elizabeth Is establishment of the Church of England. The other photo below is their own B&B cottage on the edge of the estate. 

As you see, the sky continues to be a star too!

Finally here are some shots of the main entrance (the northerly aspect) - we had certainly taken the long way round to the front door! Also shown are my efforts to emulate the iconic picture adorning their website (and souvenir booklet). Not bad as far as I'm concerned ... their image was taken in winter and now daylight saving is operating we had no hope of getting a shot that late in the day anyway. 

Me? Very contented! And you have to love the sky!

Of course, we did get inside too ... next post :). Thanks for indulging us sharing this experience with you. Being there was really something!