Hodsock Priory

We just wanted to get out of the house so we went exploring today. After a bit of humming and hahhing we headed for Mattersey Priory (on the suggestion of the GPS). Well, it wasn't quite what we were thinking of - 3/4 of a mile down a rather bumpy track and we arrived a pile of stones. So, we decided to backtrack and follow the signs to Hodsock Priory Snowdrops mainly because it sounded interesting and Beth loves snowdrops at the moment (mostly due to the snowdrop fairy in a book at grandma's house) and also because we didn't know the area well and figured it was there or back home. We followed a long line of cars all turning in to the priory and got parked, still not entirely sure of what we were going to.

It seems that following the crowds sometimes works as the priory was a beautiful building (it's a manor house and despite its name has never been a priory) with lovely gardens that the owners open to the public every spring to see the snowdrops and other flowers. We spent a really nice couple of hours exploring the gardens finding fairies, bonfires, snowdrops and other delights. Toby wasn't too bothered about the whole trip but sat quite contentedly anyway as we wandered round. They did have a tearoom but it was jam-packed with pensioners all having a nice Sunday morning out (I think we were just about the only ones there under 70!) so we headed home.

After lunch, Steve and Beth built a tower for Sleeping Beauty (the current favourite dvd) that Toby eventually pulled down on himself (causing cascades of tears). He didn't cry for too long as we ventured out into the garden and he got a good play on his tricycle - all very serious business. I also thought I'd include a pic of Beth with the flowers she planted while we were staying with grandma and grandpa last week.

Oh, one last thing, you may have noticed that electric pink shoes . . . We went shoe shopping yesterday, Toby got his first ever pair of shoes and Beth chose some herself - thanks gran for those, she hasn't taken them off since we left the shop!