Mallard Duck

Another Baddesley Clinton inspired Mallard, this time a lady. It would be great to live in a place like Baddesley Clinton - a house with a real moat. Apparently it was a sort of writer's retreat in the 19th century which doesn't surprise me. It would be easy to be creative there I think.

If you've never been to this National Trust house it's an absolute must, if only for the excellent restaurant. And you can visit another fabulous Elizabethan mansion, Packwood House with its stunning topiary hedges and glorious mellow brickwork, just a couple of miles down the road.

Mallard Drake

Another long gap I'm afraid - Val's ankle is taking a while to heal and there's a lot to do. However, we did visit Baddesley Clinton, a fantastic Elizabethan moated manor house, and I was much taken by the very tame Mallards in the moat.