Taking Time Out and Wightwick Manor Gardens

This week I've been taking time off from work, routine and...  oh, blogging. On Monday (Bank Holiday Monday in the UK) we made the most of a sunny day and headed off to Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton. As the weather was so good we ate lunch outside and ambled around the gardens forgoing the William Morris furnishings and Pre-Raphaelite paintings of the house 'til another visit (oh the joy of the NationaI Trust membership's unlimited visits). I loved the mix of the gentility of the main gardens and the irregularity of the kitchen gardens behind the scenes. Plus the architectural details of the house, especially the barley-twist chimneys, made me swoon. 

For the rest of the week any hopes of getting on with my fledgling garden have been thwarted by extended rain. Instead I've been looking around our home at the remaining clutter and feeling inspired to move it on. Yes, you really have to be in the mood to declutter and this week the minimalist switch has been flicked on again inside me big time. Too many months pondering the next attack - it's finally time for further action. I haven't felt this motivated to pare down since we moved house two years ago. I have decluttered more in the last five days than the entire last five months. More on this... soon. Be prepared.

I really hope you enjoy these photos of Wightwick Manor Gardens. For me they capture the pleasure of an unexpectedly gentle sunny day and that wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moment. Bliss. 

Wishing you all a good weekend xo