Even before I had stepped
foot in the Howick
Hall Gardens I knew that I had to have a cup of Earl Grey tea at
Earl Grey's former home. Once we walked into the Earl Grey Tea House
and looked at the menu all plans to just have a brew were swiftly
abandoned.
I went for the Northumbrian
Rarebit – a warming combination of bread covered in mustard
flavoured cheese sauce. Mr JibberJabber has long campaigned for a
Pork Pie Ploughman's to be included on more menus and found it here
in the guise of the Northumbrian Ploughman's. There was a definite
Northumbrian touch to this dish with a range of local cheeses plus a
delightfully herby pork pie.
Whilst we waiting for our
order to come (and I will mention that the service is a little
haphazard) I was admiring the fine appearance of the room. I've been
in enough refreshment stops attached to stately homes to realise that
they can often be a bit of an afterthought and only serve to make
money out of visitors in exchange for overpriced cups of tea and
slightly stale scones. There is nothing of the sort here. Back in
1928 this part of the Hall was converted into the kitchen, pantry,
larders and store rooms. It was decided in 2003 to turn it back to
its original shape when it was ballroom. There's a range of authentic
paintings dating back to the time of the 2nd Earl Grey
plus some more modern artwork of local scenes. It was something else
though that caught my eye...
A family of four were
sitting by the oval window which overlooked the lawn. In front of
them was a bird table but instead of feathered it was a furred
visitor which we all got excited about. It was a red squirrel! I
rushed over and asked if they minded that I stood by them to take
some photographs. I went back to my table to grab my camera and hoped
the red squirrel would still be there when I got back. It was and
very happy to be taking advantage of the hospitality on offer which I
suspect to be some peanuts. I guess it was stocking up for the winter
which is something it likes to do to help see it though the cold
months.
Since I had to shoot through
the windows they aren't the clearest of photographs but the sight of
the red squirrel was worth the admission fee alone. So why did I get
so excited about seeing a red squirrel? I've only seen red squirrels
twice before and very fleetingly as well. Both times were in the Isle
of Wight. One leaped into the trees in the Frontierland section at
Blackgang Chine and other was running along the side of the road
between Yarmouth and Newport. A mere glimpse of these little cuties
so this was a real treat.
Since the introduction of
the eastern grey squirrel from America in the 1800s the red squirrel
has had a bit of tough time. The grey squirrel is naturally larger so
for many years it has been a case of survival of the fittest. Along
with an increase in road traffic and the diseases squirrel
poxvirus (which doesn't affect
greys) and adenovirus there has been a serious decline
in red squirrel numbers throughout the UK. The red squirrel has
survived in island communities such as the Isle of Wight, Brownsea
Island off Poole and Anglesey. In recent years there has been
extensive work done in order to establish bigger colonies throughout
the UK with Northumberland one area it has been happy to find a safe
home in. I hope this is the first of such sightings.
Red squirrels are so lovely, you can see them at Formby - I recommend it is you haven't been already. It's a pine wood run by the NT that then leads onto sand dunes. Amazing place and full of red squirrels.
ReplyDeleteWow, a red squirrel. I've not seen one in the wild since I was very little.
ReplyDeleteI think I've only seen red squirrels when we spent a week in a cabin by the woods in Loch Awe (Scotland). They are such lovely creatures, aren't they? :) #animaltales.
ReplyDeletei dont think I've ever seen a red squirrel, but i did see some black ones in Canada earlier this year
ReplyDeleteWow, lucky you to see a red squirrel. I love them and we are fortunate enough to have them living here in Normandy in large numbers as there are no greys. I still never tire of seeing them. Thank you for adding this adorable creature to #AnimalTales.
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