After breakfast at the camp site at Capesthorne Hall we went on the circular walk to check out the estate. We started in the forest then looped around to the pond beside the hall.

There was an old icehouse where they stored ice during the winter wrapped in straw that lasted until the summer.

A very busy moorhen couple was building a big nest on the lake using leaves as big as themselves.

We found an exit to a ‘secret’ tunnel that went into the house.

We then packed up and drove off to Helen’s in Aylesbury on the edge of London.

We arrived and Glenn got straight into jobs Helen had for him. He didn’t have to but I’m sure he quite enjoys it. 

I had 1 job to set up an internet extender for the Sky TV box which I did in 30 minutes. Hopefully it will continue to work!!

Next day Glenn had more jobs and Helen and I went to Tesco for only a few things for dinner. However I managed to come back with a dress and a bottle of nice Scottish gin – not what I expected from a supermarket shop.

After lunch we went on a National Trust outing to nearby Ascott House – owned by the extremely rich Rothschild family.

It was developed from a farmhouse in the 1800s into a hunting estate. 

The house is still used by the family so no photos are allowed inside. The paintings were all by famous artists so hugely expensive. There was a large one of horses by Stubbs – that would be a fortune by itself. There was also a Chinese pottery collection apparently rivaling the British museum collection. 

After the house we toured the gardens seeing a sundial made from hedges. 
The variety of mature trees was very impressive. There were also some amazing fountains.

There was a contemporary lawn feature design.

The pond was full of water lilies and huge carp.

We saw the white lion of Whipsnade in the distance. 

We then went to the tearoom for an iced coffee. We sat in the cricket pavilion on the oval to enjoy it.

We then set off to see if we could see another large house previously owned by the Rothschild family that had been grander but had now fallen into wrack and ruin. Luckily there is a pub right next to it to find out more. We enjoyed the local beer and found out that the house is now owned by a Syrian/UK ex-billionaire who hasn’t the money to develop it and won’t let anyone in. 

We then went back to Helen’s and made a rhubarb crumble from Callums rhubarb which was delicious. We also had a venison shepherd’s pie – also delicious. 

We then went to bed at a reasonable time as we had to get up and move on tomorrow.