Having polished off the inside of Athelhampton House we moved to the outside to inspect the unusual gardens, in reasonable condition but with weeds creeping in at the edges.
So the first snap is of a corner of the walled garden, lower middle in the second snap above, marked with a blue cross. The map appears to have come from Savills, the estate agents; possibly something to do with property in nearby Puddletown, named for the river Piddle, a river which makes its way east to Wareham and from thence to Swineham Point, Wareham Channel, Poole Harbour and the sea.
Still in the same walled garden, looking north east from the terrace connecting the two towers.
A fine Carex pendula in the bog garden underneath the terrace.
A fine display in another of the walled gardens.
Somewhere we came across a small echium flower head. Not in the same league at all as those on the Isle of Wight. And we failed to find a gardener who looked as if he (or she - there were lady gardeners too) would be able to identify the new-to-me flowering shrub snapped above.
Eventually we worked our way out, to picnic in the car park, our ancient folding chairs coming in for once. Picnic by the open boot of our car - but sadly we did not think to pack something - preferably a Primus Stove - to brew up on. Proper 50's style picnic to go with the ancient house.
Left to find some heavier traffic on the Dorchester by-pass, but it was moving along and we arrived at the fairly newly refurbished George Hotel in Axminster mid-afternoon. BH had a happy hour learning how all the taps worked, eventually discovering that we had been allocated a superior shower. We could also see some surrounding countryside from our window.
After wash and brush up, to the fine dining offered by the Old Inn on the splendidly named Gammon Hill at Kilmington, just outside Axminster. Amuse bouche was something small, white and fishy; rather good. I think I had a starter, but I can't remember what it was, and reference 3 seems more interested in escorts than providing lists of starters. But I do remember that the bread better than average. Main courses mainly came with lots of odds, ends and drizzles, so I thought I would play safe with fish and chips, usually OK in public houses these days, but this one was not very good at all. BH was quite happy with her mussels though.
And I was quite happy with the wine - with me being the only serious drinker in our party.
Furthermore, according to Bing: 'Colleita de Martis Albariño comes from Santiago Roma winery and the 2020 vintage is exquisitely refreshing and fuller-bodied. On the nose, expect heady aromas of dried eucalyptus leaves, apple and fresh cut-grass. Upon taste, these flavours carry through to the palate. They’re heightened by ripe acidity which carries through to a prolonged, lovely finish ... Typical Albariño food pairings are sea food. The body and structure of this Albariño could easily help it stand up to a meaty ocean dish like Lobster'. Didn't say anything about stale cod though.
References
Reference 1: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2021/08/heading-west-again-part-1.html.
Reference 2: https://www.athelhampton.com/.
Reference 3: https://www.oldinnkilmington.co.uk/.
Reference 4: https://santiagoroma.com/en/.
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