Back to Moorriem

We've been there before.  The first time was 2012.  Maybe that was the last time? I'm not sure. But we have talked about it a lot, so it seems I think I've been there since then.  I know for certain I cannot rely on my memory anymore and therefore my record of pictures and blogs is an amazing - and useful - crutch. And I know too that if I was really smart, I'd try to avoid the crutch.

But.

It was so lovely today, we needed to get out and debated Moorreim or Hude but opted for flowers and gardens (and a slightly longer tour) over old cloister ruins.  It's about 50K round trip, a good ride but not something to wear you (completely) out.  And I need a bit of training for our trip in July.

But it's Saturday, so first to market!  We picked up a half rotisserie chicken from the food truck, tomatoes and mozzarella (and smiled when the cheese lady teased me about my pronunciation), a couple of rolls for a sandwich for our picnic and of course food for the weekend since nothing is open on Sunday.

Hang the wash, make the sandwiches, pack the picnic basket, download the map (yes, we do digital these days) and hit the road.

Temp:  about 73.  Skies: sunny. Wind: a lot, and of course in our faces, but that's sort of OK because that was TO so we could have a little help when we went FROM.

About 10K into the trip, we stopped for our lunch.  Why didn't I take pictures?  Maybe because I was hungry (aren't I always?). It was yummy and then we were off again.

The last part of this trip is not very interesting and there's no way around it - about 5K along a straight path next to a road and not a thing in the landscape that's interesting. Perhaps that's good for working on patience.

But then we arrive. Lovely.

This was the entrance to the barn part of the farmhouse complex, now the entrance to the service area where you can get coffee and cake.  The iron fences off to the side of the big doors are not common - at most other farms, they are wooden fences.

The "barn" side leading to the house part.

And at the back, on the house end,  a profusion of iris.

The whole of the garden is large - there is NO WAY a couple could keep this up, so there is a crew to help out - but it still seems intimate.  There are little corners to sit and enjoy the view.  Tables and chairs invite you to rest.

After a gentle wandering around, we sat under a tree for some coffee and cake. You bring your treats to the table in a basket.

I couldn't leave without buying something! So, a really different hosta - lots of bright yellow.  And a sort of daisy that was growing between the stone there, something that can tolerate a lot of heat and dry.  So perfect for the front of our little house!  I have lots of hope...

I packed them in the basket on the bike and off we went, with the wind, to home.