Early autumn at Tatton

I woke up this morning to a damp, grey, misty day. How different to the one we had at Tatton Park a few weeks ago. We've been trying to make the most of every last day of sunshine and warmth at the weekends before the winter sets in. So, when the weather promised to be fine on Sunday in October, we headed off to Tatton. It was one of those perfect early autumn days when the skies are still the brightest blue and the leaves were just starting to change colour.

Before heading out to walk in the park though, we stopped for breakfast at the Gardener's Cottage which only opened this year. What a lovely building - I want to live there! So many period features and it has been decorated beautifully.

And look, a table full of pretty teacups and saucers! I'm sure the people in our room must have thought I was odd wandering around cooing over all the prettiness and looking at the different patterns - I was in heaven!

Outside was lovely too with old apple trees and cottage garden plants.

There were lots of apples for sale in the garden shop - all different traditional varieties. I was very tempted but didn't want to carry them around all day and the park was calling.

There are lots of deer at Tatton Park and this pair were enjoying grazing under a lovely tree with its leaves just starting to turn golden. There were signs at the entrance saying it was the rutting season so we kept our distance.

I just love the wide open spaces here and those big skies. All the trails are from planes taking off from Manchester Airport.

I was so busy looking at the views and skies that it was Chickpea who pointed out these giant mushrooms.

I know photos can give a false impression and perspective but these were dinner plate size!

I'm no mushroom expert but, after looking at a few web sites, I'm pretty sure they're parasols, which seems a very apt name.

OK, that's the last photo.

Well, alright, maybe just one more :) These are younger versions.

After all those mushrooms I thought there might be an abundance of acorns and conkers. However, we found only one conker which looked like it had been nibbled by the deer and I think the squirrels must have beaten us to the acorns!

What we did see were plenty of sweet chestnuts.

There were piles and piles of them littering the ground.

There were also lots of beech nuts along the Beech Walk. It was actually quite a strange experience walking under the trees as there was a constant sound of cracking and rustling as the pods and nuts fell to the floor. Thankfully none of them fell on our head!

Sigh. I wish I could be there today walking along that beautiful path and seeing how the leaf colour will have changed. Unfortunately boring stuff like cleaning the car calls so it will have to wait for another time.

I still have another day trip to tell you about from several weeks ago but next time it's time to reveal my latest quilt. Thank you for all the lovely comments lately - you really do make my day. xx