Rufford Old Hall & Southport

Half term is a chance to relax and recuperate, usually.  Not this time, we had to keep ourselves out of the way.  We couldn't stay in and so we decided to check some local national trust properties.

There are a couple of properties nearby but as it was out of season they were all closed.  We found a couple further afield, I asked GO which he preferred and we headed to Southport and Rufford Hall.  Not only as it open it had a half term event on. 

They had laid the main hall out as if for a Tudor banquet.

There was food, outfits and entertainment all to set the scene.  We were able to feel how heavy the dresses worn by the ladies were.  There was a bread kneading station and everything was permeated by the smell of the fire that was roaring away in the great hall.

As National Trust members we are used to the grandeur of stately homes like Waddeson and Stoke Park.  

What I have noticed about the properties up here is that are all quite dark and Tudor. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but occasionally the gloominess can feel quote intimidating and, dare I say, spooky.

Up up and away

I had dropped GO off at work at the stadium and I had nothing to do until he finished, what to do?  What to do?

I decided to go to church, but it was eight in the morning and most services started at ten.

I drove around and thought about visiting a National Trust property, but they weren't open either.  It was at that moment that I saw a sign for the airport.

The airport is always open I could wander around there for a while before finding a church.  The closer I got to the airport the more often I saw diverts for the Runway Visitors Centre.  Intrigued I decided to have a look, see.

It turned out to be a plane spotters paradise.  Just off the main runway they had installed three and a half jets that you could go on, stand beside and photograph (check, check, check) and they also had three observation deck from where you could watch planes land, take off and taxi.

I paid for my parking/entrance fee of £3 and began exploring.  After a pit stop at the ladies I found the customer services desk.  They lady explained that you were able to look at one plane on your own but if you wanted to do onto the others you would need to pay for a guide.  I declined the offer.  "If you want to go on Concorde the next group is at eleven."  

Concorde? It turns out that the big white tent I had presumed was just a large canteen actually held Concorde and for £6 you could go on her.  Tempted as I was I had places to be.  It was an interesting pace, who knows maybe one day I'll go back with someone else.