It Started As A Glorious Day,

and as there was an event at the mansion, 

we were out for a pre-lunch walk, as it happens I will only be making one post today, the usual reason, I took too many photographs!

hardly a cloud in the sky, but out of the sun with the wind it was decidedly chilly,

and this is what we were walking to, So Last Century, 

the road leading to the mansion was packed with cars and vans of stall holders,

in the distance the area behind the mansion looked busy,

the first stall as we entered was Wise Choice, a company that travels form the other side of the River Thames to be here, it is always nice to see the selection of plants that they bring, 

today a large display,

as well as fresh fruit, 

these looked so nice,

as did the cut flowers,

like these sunflowers,

a nice selection of indoor plants as well,

we started looking at some of the stalls,

the mansion house in the distance,

the food stalls we will look at later,

on the other side of the grass triangle outside the mansion, stalls selling furniture,

Diana stall shopping,

lots of theatrical clothes in this stall,

and as it was sunny, plenty of sunglasses, 

a few more stalls, 

then looking across to the food stalls,

and furniture stalls, this one appropriately for the time of year, garden furniture,

these with goodies for indoors,

Diana took a photograph,

as I was looking at some of the goods on offers,

as I have mentioned when at this sort of event,

all I kept saying was "Mum had one of those"

or one like that, be it a table, chair or crockery,

everyday objects in the 1950s or 60s, now sought after by some,

we arrived at the food stalls, fish & chips anyone?

Diana was looking for a dessert for todays Sunday roast,

I was looking at sampling some of the liquid refreshments for sale!

a cheese stall is almost de rigueur for events like these,

looking towards the mansion a few clouds were rolling in,

from the same position, looking to the right,

and left,

behind me this stall,

that had taken Diana's attention,

for Diana a orange cheesecake,

for myself a plum and almond slice,

decision made now just waiting for them to be wrapped,

the next stall selling home baked bread, that all looked so tempting,

Diana popped around to the café to order a coffee, I went inside the mansion,

the first stall had lights on offer,

as with most other items here all from the 50s and 60s,

there were 4 or 5 rooms like this one,

selling all manner of items, vinyl records,

to jewellery,

lots of jewellery, 

in the centre of this display a number of magazine covers and advertising posters,

the main display was for prints,

like these,

and maps,

lots of maps,

of the UK and the world,

and the above should be noted, 

into another room,

with a few more lights,

as well as glassware,

like these,

I made my way to the centre of the building, up stairs there are a number of artists studios, but I did not go upstairs as Diana was waiting with her coffee outside,

so back out to the green,

and turn right by the side of the building,

a little further down there is a permeant antiques shop here,

through the door, but it is always a bit cramped on days like today, so I did not venture inside,

normally tables and chairs are here, but for today they have been moved to make way for the stalls, no sign of Diana,

not many picnickers today under the tree,

I looked at the stalls whilst I waited for Diana,

moving around to the side of the building,

where the stalls featured china and glass, 

as well as bric-à-brac, 

a few plants were also on offer,

and a few paintings and signs, 

for your man cave,

I looked where the tables and benches were for today, 

and there was Diana, apparently the only coffee machine was not enough for the numbers here, hence the long wait for her coffee,

no problems with the beer! a table for 2 then became available,

so we made a move before it was taken,

I just had to, with,

and without my sunglasses,

our drinks finished we made a move for home, leaving the mansion behind us,

and walking to the parks entrance,

the road lined with cars and vans of the stall sellers,

looking back across the park, hardly a soul to be seen,

one of the houses in the park, 

turn left at the snail mail box,

and we were home, just in time for a read and a sherry,

for our starter today, a summer farmhouse soup,

which was delicious,

a 'Cheers!', as our main course arrived,

roasted duck with gravy for Diana,

sans gravy for myself,

after a break the cakes we had bought at the mansion,

served with cream, lots of cream, as it happens the nice morning had given way to a not very nice afternoon as more clouds rolled in, a shame for the people that had come to picnic in the park in the afternoon, but there it is, English weather, always take a brolly! back to our lunch, it was feet up for the afternoons film, 

a real boys own adventure, At The Earth's Core, released in 1976, as you might expect, the special effects were not quite as good as today, but a action filled romp through middle earth, after a snack in the evening one from Hammer,

Straight on Till Morning, released in 1972, a unexpected story of innocence and betrayal as a young lady after leaving home in the north travels to London and finds her dream man, or so she thinks, we rounded off the evening with,

Ben-Hur, the 2016 version, it is difficult not to compare it with the original made in 1959, but it was entertaining to say the least, after which we were off to bed.