Makers Market & Tratton Park

The sun was gone

The sky was grey

What a way to start the day!

However the Cherry Blossom

at the entrance to town

was lovely.

The White and Bluebells 

Rang us into town...

Diana and Tony gave us glowing reports

about "Makers Market"

and we have to say it was excellent.

Food of all sorts, craft work

and quality produce from local producers.

King Canut's mosaic unfortunately

 had a car parked on him.

Back for lunch then off to Tatton Park,

Red & Fallow Deer were roaming about.

Unfortunately the Old Hall was closed.

So up to the New Mansion.

The old-fashioned carousel was 

going around in the courtyard of the old stables..

More selective colour....

Then inside...

This magnificent French

Gilt & Tortoiseshell Clock

The Mansion at Tratton Park is now owned by

the National Trust...

but guess what?

I could take photos.

So I did....lots of them!

The property was finished in 1716.

Then re-modelled in two stages in 1780 

and 1813 in the then fashionable 

Neo-Classical style.

Check out the ceiling! 

This beautiful inlaid Hall Table.

Haven't seen this bloke for a while !

The Phantom Photographer.

The Library was something to behold.

As was this Table

It is a Micro Mosaic.

Most of the pieces are about 1mm.

1mm !!!

Then my favourite birds as a fire screen...

Think about it !!

??

The Library contains about 8000 volumes

and is one of the National Trust's finest in the UK.

Plus superb bookcases.

Guest Bedroom..

No heating here.

A tin bath with coal fired heating.

Looking out into the garden 

Baron Wilbraham Egerton was, among other things,

 Chairman of The Manchester Ship Canal Company.

Money makes money !!

Eventually we got to the "Downstairs"

The biggest oven I've ever seen.

An Electric Rotisserie.

One of the earliest houses to have electricity. 

From the Last Baron Maurice Egerton's collection,

The heaviest Meteorite Found in the world.

Then finally the collection in the Servants Hall.

Now used for events.

Looking back into the Courtyard.

Just as we were leaving when this Tudor Gent appeared.

And these beaut Spring Colours on the way out...

By the way it was a 200 year old

Gentleman's Reading Chair.

Think about it !!!