A Postcard from Brimstage

A spare afternoon to myself ... what shall I do? Shall I stay home and do the ironing? No, I don't think so. I think I'll pop along to Brimstage Hall Courtyard .... I haven't been there for a while. It's one of my favourite places to browse and only five minutes from home.

(Photo from Olive Tree Website)

 This photograph was taken during the recent snow falls - isn't it magical?                            

The Courtyard has a selection of lovely shops and places to eat ... it's just the place to go mooching when you're not looking for anything in particular... or if you need an unusual gift for someone special.

 I discovered today that the Tower dates from the 12th Century, with more recent additions from the 16th and 19th Centuries. All the  little shops are housed in lovely sandstone farm buildings around the edge of a central courtyard.

Fine Arts and gifts

A new addition ... a shop jam-packed with vintage and nostalgic treasures

                                     

The Country Mouse serves the best afternoon teas on the Wirral, as well as tasty lunches.

The Olive Tree is a stunning new shop, with the most amazing flower arrangements and lovely, lovely gifts. It is housed in the beautiful crypt.... just look at the vaulted ceiling!

I was tempted and bought these gorgeous scented bath soaps, but I won't be using them in the bathroom.They're far too pretty to waste.

The renowned Voirrey Embroidery Centre - if you're into sewing, embroidery, knitting, patchwork, cross-stitch this place is an Aladdin's Cave - plus it always has the most amazing exhibitions of stitching upstairs ...

I used to haunt this place when I was into embroidery and stitching .... but paper crafting took over eventually. Sadly, my favourite scrapbooking shop 'Courtyard Crafts' is no longer  here ..... a victim of the recent recession I suppose. I miss it dreadfully, but it has saved me soooo much money!!!

Later, I  visited Gordale Garden Centre... another wonderful place to browse.

                                      

It's not just plants, but books, gifts, homeware, furniture, clothing .... more beautiful things.

There's a very good coffee shop too, where my lovely girl had a Saturday job for a couple of years.

Look who I bumped into when I was looking for the Herb Section.

This fine fellow had abandonned the great outdoors and had taken up residence in this greenhouse section. He can usually be seen strutting his stuff around the flower beds, but I have insider knowledge that he has learnt how to operate the automatic doors ... and now he can roam at will!

                                     

Well, I don't blame him - it was freezing outside!