Day 354. Faultless towers.

School's out for Christmas. Half day today which meant I had time to take Bea to nearby Oxburgh Hall as the house was open to share Christmas through the centuries.

From pin the moustache on Hitler, minced meat pies and the history of decorations to Christmas (or lack of it) under Oliver Cromwell and beautiful hidden doors, it was a rather lovely way to begin the festive break. Unlike Bea I declined the offer to jump down the former privy into one of the few priest holes open to visitors but did enjoy the Queen's bedroom which was spacious and beautifully furnished. We were even entertained by the volunteers who danced for us in traditional costume in the King's Room, where Henry VII stayed with his queen, Elizabeth of York, in 1487.

 A climb to the top of the house rewarded us with this view from one of the towers and we returned home with rosy cheeks, carrying a bounty of passionfruit curd (from the NT shop) and a handful of historic recipes to try out.

Day 314. Autumnal joy.

If you're feeling a bit low I totally recommend a walk around Oxbrugh Hall with an 8 year old. Well, I walked, she ran, everywhere. I can still remember running for the hell of it. And skipping. Hopping. Humming. Singing. If I could bottle that feeling I guarantee the black dog would need to be rehomed. Just running. Just because.

Day 47. Brackets.

National Trust membership is a little like gym membership in our house. When we join we're full of enthusiasm and excitement about how often we'll visit, making great plans for picnics, weekend walks and after school hot chocolates.

Like joining a gym, we quickly forget that our average cost per visit is about £50 which is why when we headed over to Oxburgh Hall today we of course signed up for annual family membership rather than paying the price for one day's admission. It's a charitable donation. Let's look at it that way.

Oxburgh has a beautiful and incredibly peaceful woodland trail, resplendent with copiced hazel, poplars, cherry and touch wood (sorry), a healthy number of ash trees. I found this bracket fungus on a hazel trunk, its shelves and petalled edges all velvety and vividly colourful.

We were due to spend the day clearing out the study but when you wake up on a February morning to find the sky blue and the sun shining, staying indoors is really no option.