Gelly Babes: September 2021

More Kedleston Capers

9th September 2021

Very nearly a full quota of babes gathered for coffee at Kedleston, pretty much on time and all very pleased to see one another. Considerable time was spent catching up with everyone’s experiences over the summer. Wedding photos were admired: wonderful dresses of both brides, handsome grooms, one rather fetching hat and two memorable days. Even the story of one wedding and a funeral didn’t spoil the mood!

The weather forecast had not been very favourable so it was a pleasant surprise to be sitting in the sunshine but then the sun always shines on the righteous.

Jo challenged us to remember the name of someone by giving us a very vague description and was surprised when none of us could come up with a name… perhaps it will come to us later, in fact one day later Alison has come up with an answer!

After lamenting the demise of the traditional cobbler and consuming all the coffee full advantage of the facilities was taken and we set off for a walk, much to the relief of Bob and Tali who had been waiting very patiently.

Tali obviously hasn’t read the sign and is happily hugging the ground rather than a tree and Bob seems content with head butting the tree,at least Lynn and Jo are following the instructions.

Pam seems to be treating us to a ‘teacher’s look’! Perhaps because some of us are spending too much time admiring the views, the wild chicory, the berries on the beautiful guelder rose bushes and the demolition work of the insects on some of the trees.

There is definitely a hint of autumn in the air.

We headed back down the hill to the cafe to meet up with Helen J after her jaunt into Derby mingling with the unmasked masses.

The wild flower garden was a little bit past it’s best but there was still lots of insect activity and it raised the question of how wild is too wild and are our pollinating insects really that fussy and anyway what do the self appointed ‘experts’ know. Let’s just plant more lavender!

We said goodbye to Jo and hello to Helen J and after lunch in the sunshine Lynn left us and we set off to count the geese. The total number was many and much goose poo.

The clouds were gathering but we weren’t deterred and we set off on the ‘wilderness’ walk by the river.