Stowe

This morning, I bid farewell to Mack and Stephanie.  I am so very thankful that I have family members like them, that I am so close to and that I enjoy spending time who would take the time to come and visit me.  Saying goodbye to them was immensely easier than the last time that I said goodbye knowing that it is just a few more months before we will be together again.

Rather than come home and sulk, I decided to take full advantage of a gorgeous, sunny and delightfully warm day!  I went to Stowe House and Gardens about forty-five minutes away.  Stowe is one of those stunning, grand estates where one can just picture the Jane Austen characters strolling for one of their afternoon walks.  The gardens were ahead of their time, designed back in the early 1700s as naturally landscaped fields and ponds with temples and other ornate structures scattered about.  

The house is enormous; it was said that at the height of their power, the family was wealthier than the king of England.  Unfortunately, the house was closed today, but sitting amongst the colossal columns overlooking the fields and lakes to the entry way beyond was enough to feel the grandeur of the house.

Spring!

In and amongst the fields, lakes and even right in front of the house, there is now a golf course.  What an incredible place for a game!

Although the scenery, the immensity of the house, the temples and the warm sunlight were quite enjoyable, it was more sightings of young lambs that excited me beyond belief.  Near the end of my stroll around the property, I came across a gate that said "It is now lambing season, so please keep your dogs on a leash."  Giddy as a school girl, I opened the gate and practically skipped up to the top of the hill overlooking the sheep and lambs that were basking in the sun.

There were some lambs that I could get very close to.  I knew not to mess with them, and I certainly didn't want to upset the mothers, but I did want to get close enough to get a good shot and a good glimpse at the adorable little creatures.  They were once again, so picturesque, and many were quite obliging to my camera and me.

It is really quite fascinating to watch a herd of sheep with their young.  The babies often mix up together, or get distracted and easily separated from their mothers.  However, each sheep recognizes the cry of her lamb and each lamb, in turn recognizes the unique sound of his mother's cry.  It was so much fun watching today as lambs cried out, realizing all of a sudden they were not with their mothers, and how quickly they could be reunited.

This little guy enjoyed the sun so much that I got very close to him, within just a couple of feet before a child nearby woke him from his sun-induced comma.  He awoke abruptly and was so surprised to find me nearby that he leapt up and ran off in search of his mum.

On my way out of gate, I realized that right underneath the "Please keep your dog on a leash" sign was a line that said "Please keep to the path."  Whoops!  As my mother said though, "Oh, aren't you glad you didn't see that?"  

I guess standing in the middle of a field, surrounded by sheep and lambs being warmed by the sun's rays may not have been where I was supposed to be, but for me, today, it was pretty close to heaven.