Late Summer Pleasures
2 Sep 2016
The late summer sunshine this week has come as a blessing after all the rain and wind of July and August. Last weekend the sun shone for both the Carpenters Cottage Garden Open Day on Saturday and the first of our Playtime sessions on Sunday. It is still a wonderful time to visit Haddo - the House is open Sunday-Tuesday until the end of September and the Country Park is still full of colour before Autumn arrives.
Open Day in the Carpenter's Cottage Garden
Thanks to everyone who visited the garden last Saturday and took part in the craft activities for children. Our volunteers have worked so hard over the past 8 months to open up the overgrown garden and the chance to show off their work was welcome. To think that last year there was nothing but nettles, dogwood and willowherb. Now you can see the network of paths and flowerbeds and we are slowly planting again to fill the garden with colour.
Our first Sunday Playtime attracted lots of children and parents. There were wonderful dens, tug o' war, building blocks, flowerpot towers, interesting shelters and structures made from branches, leaves, ferns and other materials provided. Along with fancy hats, bags and ties kindly donated by the British Red Cross charity shop in Ellon. The next Playtime is on Sunday September 11th from 1030-1230 on the Carpenter's Cottage lawn by the Pheasantry.
Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight is being celebrated at Haddo in the NTS Tearoom. The Scotland-wide event celebrates the food and drink industry in Scotland, championing farming and fishing activities. The new manager of the Tearoom, Malcolm, and his assistant, Beth, have transformed the traditional tearoom setting into a more rustic and relaxing place that serves local produce grown in the NE Scotland. Suppliers include Presly's (meat), Barra Berries (strawberries and raspberries), Mackie's (ice cream, crisps), Ythan Bakery (bread), Haddo's own home grown herbs, TPS from Turriff and local free range eggs. Come and try the delicious Strawberry Gateau this week!
