Newstead Abbey in the sunshine

Mad, bad and dangerous to know --- but inexplicably Newstead Abbey, former home of the local bad boy of Romantic Poetry, Lord Byron, does not actually sell t-shirts with this famous description of the man himself.

It was nice to finally go around the remains of the abbey and the later Byron family house as a grown-up: I'd been to the gardens as a kid but not in the house itself. It's actually a rather good visit with some interesting displays and there was certainly more to see than I imagined!

Anyway, we had a lovely day in the sunshine, watching waders and enjoying the gardens. Photos below...

Cloud outside the grand entrance to Newstead Abbey.

Gardens of Newstead Abbey

Rullsenberg standing in the sun at Newstead Abbey

Wader at Newstead Abbey garden lily pond

Memorial to Boatswain, Byron's dog

A shady area at Newstead Abbey gardens

Visit to London Summer 2009 - the photo post 3

London's butterflies, parks, Lisa and Neil posing, and architectural improvements and demolitions! (Apologies that these posts are going up out of order... I will sort that!)

A beautiful butterfly in London's fair parkland.

Lisa posed alongside the Serpentine on a lovely summer's day.

As it was summer we made our pilgrimage to experience the Serpentine Gallery's pavilion installation.

Lisa and Neil in close-up reflection at the Serpentine Pavailion!

A sunny day walking past the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall.

Neil just could not resist having a go in the art installation (aka kids get wet for fun event) 'Appearing Rooms', installed at the Hayward Gallery again because it is such an irresistible delight.

The great Savoy Hotel on the Strand is being cleaned up and by the look of things, this is going to be a glorious restoration to its true beauty!

Regent Palace Hotel at Piccadilly being demolished (but with some elements left intact!)

George's munros

I felt the need for some nature so I went and had a look at my bloglines for the George's recent munro reports - the photos on the posts are so spectacular that they fair take your breath away.

I think I would be giddy being so high up!

If this picture doesn't make your heart sing...

... then you are past hope.

Jams brings us a spectacular flower.