Ickworth NT last week - NOT amateur radio

 

This is the famous rotunda with wild flowers in the forground.

Knotted tree - NOT amateur radio

There is a section of the Italianate Garden at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds, UK where they have lots of old tree trunks. 

This one has no bark left, but is pretty impressive.

Ickworth lambs - NOT amateur radio

 

These were some of the lambs seen at Ickworth yesterday.

Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds, UK - NOT amateur radio

We were quite surprised to see lambs so late at Ickworth today. We went for a nice walk and a snack lunch. 

It is owned by the National Trust, so members can walk around the grounds and house.  

If you are not a member, you pay an entry fee.  There are a variety of walks. Some are long and some short.

Ickworth (National Trust) - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we visited this vast estate near Bury-St-Edmunds. It must have cost an enormous amount to own and run it centuries ago. 

I have no idea where this wealth came from, but I hope not slavery. These days it can be enjoyed by everyone.

Ickworth Lambs - NOT amateur radio

For several years we have managed to miss the lambs at Ickworth. This year, we managed to see some.

Ickworth is a National Trust property with extensive grounds.

Ickworth - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we did a nice walk at Ickworth, which is a National Trust property near Bury St Edmunds. 

It is famous for its rotunda. The grounds are extensive.

Going out - NOT amateur radio

Do you remember when you could "go out"?  Yes, an odd concept, especially if you live in the UK. We use to go "abroad" on things called "planes" on things called "holidays".  😏

One of our favourite places was the National Trust place called Ickworth about 17 miles away. Usually, we walked in the grounds, but occasionally we went in the house and famous rotunda shown in the photo. 

If you book in advance you can still walk around the grounds. We enjoy walking around nearby National Trust grounds. Sadly, houses are closed at the moment.

Ickworth a few days ago - NOT amateur radio

This photo may have been on before, although it doesn't matter. It was taken a few days ago at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds when the sun was shining!

Since about Thursday it has turned far cooler, although still mild here in the UK. Tomorrow could be windy and wet.

Ickworth today - NOT amateur radio

This was a view at Ickworth, near Bury St Edmunds this afternoon. Although there were a few daffodils out, most were not. There were no lambs.

Dry, dry, dry - NOT amateur radio

Most of Europe has had a very hot and dry summer. Oh, sorry, climate change is a Chinese plot - I forgot those wise words.

I have never seen our garden so parched.  It was the same at Ickworth, Suffolk yesterday with a pond there drying up. Normally it has plenty of water. We had a very wet winter. It would not surprise me if the USA soon experiences "dust bowl" conditions again. Climate change is a reality. The world is warming.

The photo shows the sky, and parched grass, at Ickworth yesterday.

Ickworth (National Trust) - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went to Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds hoping to see the wild flower meadow in all its glory. What a total disappointment.

It looked as if, this year, they just did not bother. Afterwards we were told they were trying to fully restore the walled garden to as it once was. Does that mean vegetables next year? Luckily we spotted a bee, as the photo shows.

Lambs - NOT amateur radio

Today, we had our warmest day of the year. It felt warm for the first time and was true "shirt sleeve" weather. At Ickworth, UK there were daffodils, lambs and bees on the wing. A lovely day.

Ickworth (National Trust) - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went for a walk at the National Trust grounds at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds. It was very hot, for a change. In the car coming home it touched 30 degrees Celsius. There were several dragon flies and damsel flies about.

Ickworth (National Trust) - NOT amateur radio

Lambs at Ickworth

As members of the National Trust, we are very lucky to have several properties with fine grounds nearby.  Today, as the sun was shining, we went to Ickworth not far from Bury St Edmunds. Although there were lots of lambs, the daffodils are still not out, in the main. A few are, but most are still in bud. All the NT places nearby are very different. We also made use of our free "tea for 2" voucher which came with a card.

Skyscape - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon we enjoyed a walk at Ickworth, a lovely National Trust property near Bury St Edmunds. It is about 20 miles from home. The sky was mostly sunny, but it occasionally popped behind the clouds. It was about 7 deg C.  We saw some tree creepers (birds).

Back on 472kHz

Meadow at Ickworth

We returned from a walk at Ickworth just before lunch. I have switched on my 472kHz WSPR station, still with the strapped feeders to the Par antenna. I moved up one tap on the 3C90 matching transformer, to get a slightly better match. Initial daytime results are very encouraging with several spots from GM4SLV (896km) and others. No bad weather due before tomorrow.

WSPR reports on 472kHz QRPp today