Lisbet, our erstwhile rector, was back in England this week. Yesterday she took the morning service at Nettleton, then popped into see us after our service at Swallow which began half-an-hour later.
Our original plan had been to go for a picnic together on Saturday, giving us the whole day to go somewhere different and distant(ish). Unfortunately Carolyn (the other member of last year's picnic party at Tattershall and Bolingbroke castles) was at work, so we decided to go on Sunday afternoon instead.
Phone message Sunday morning: Carolyn has food poisoning and won't be able to join us.
Joe was determined to go to Sledmere, but with 11.00 and 11.30 church services and Lisbet needing to be back before 6.00 (preferably by 5.00), the hour-and-a-half each way would (allowing for getting stuck behind tractors etc.) have allowed us little more than an hour at Sledmere so we went to the nearest country house open to the public: Normanby Hall which is where I work. Joe was very disappointed, and showed it.
I have to say that it rather annoys me having to pay to get in when I am not working, but then I think their all-in ticket for the house, garden, park and museum is a bit steep for anyone just wanting a picnic, although at £4.60 per person it is an excellent bargain for those wanting a cultural day out.
Annoyance aside, we had a pleasant picnic, I showed Lisbet round the hall and had a chance to have a proper look at the library which isn't included in our workshops and at the costume and pottery displays. Most of all, of course, it was lovely to see Lisbet again.
