It is getting a bit ‘backendish’ – as they say in Yorkshire – and the Folly Flâneuse is taking a short break. Meanwhile here are some of the wonderful landscape ornaments built by the Lyttelton family at Hagley Park, seen on a perfect autumn day as the leaves begin to turn bronze and gold, and the mist clears to reveal a blue sky.
For those who are not familiar with the delightful term ‘backendish’ it describes that period when we enter the last months of the year, and it suddenly becomes chilly and autumnal (thank you D for introducing the flâneuse to this word many years ago). Hands deep in pockets, the Folly Flâneuse soon warmed up on a brisk walk around the park.
Hagley Park moves to winter opening hours at the end of October. The park and cafe (very welcome at the end of a walk) are open 10-4, but check the website for details https://www.hagleypark.co.uk/
Thank you for reading. The Folly Flâneuse will be back with a folly story next week. Enjoy the seasonal colours.
Gand says:
Looks like you had a better day than when we visited with FF a few years ago. It rained all day and we went wrong somewhere, which didn’t help. The car steamed up all the way to Leedsas we slowly dried out. One of our early FF forays. I vowed never again. However vows are meant to be broken in some circumstances….Gand.
Editor says:
Good morning Gand. We had the perfect day for exploring. The estate has been hard at work creating good paths and it is all looking rather lovely. And a cafe! What more could one want.
Caroline Davidson says:
Dear Indefatigable Folly Flaneuse, For the past few weeks my husband and I have been speculating that you deserve a break and a holiday. Your output is phenomenal, but there’s never any sign of your taking time off, let alone flying abroad for a change of scene. We will start to emulate your use of the word ‘backhandedness’ as a precursor to taking a break ourselves. If you love your work and are permanently busy it is all too easy to forget to do so. Bonnes vacances!
Caroline Davidson says:
As a sign of my own tiredness, I made a verbal mistake above when I wrote ‘backhandedness” rather than ‘backendish’ — a symptom of needing a break myself? Backendish is such an eloquent word
Editor says:
Hello Caroline. The joy of folly-spotting is that it can be incorporated into almost any trip – I can usually find something of interest near to the homes of family or friends. But I must confess that most visits, whatever their outward reason appears to be, have an ulterior motive, a.k.a. a folly or landscape ornament. ‘Backendish’ was first overheard by a friend at a bus stop near Leeds, and has been in frequent use ever since! I hope you have some relaxing travel planned.