Diversity

Thank you. You made my morning. I became nostalgic about early years spent in a displaced people’s camp in Kelvedon, Essex. As kids we roamed the farm fields, chased rabbits, learned about the various beautiful flora and fauna. And I could almost taste the frais de bois that my mother had me gather into a little tin mug. Such deliciousness rarely found in the U.S I so appreciate your lovely notes about the castle. Please don’t stop. Gratefully, Anne

I can only imagine how beautiful your countryside is, I hope to see it one day!! I’m sure it’s absolutely lovely! We feed our backyard birds and deer here as well, need a little help this time of year! I live in the state of Michigan USA, it has been a very cold winter this year. Thank you for sharing, and I look forward, as always to reading your blog!

It certainly is a fine balancing act to live alongside nature. We live in Orlando, Florida on a small property with a natural Preserve as our backyard neighbor. We can hear hawks, owls and bald eagles at night. We lived only one mile from DisneyWorld’s Magic Kingdom so we can also hear the whistle blow when the old steam engine is running along the tracks. The two worlds have learned to live together in peace.
Your blog is such a joy to read. I also have your calendar and keep it close-by so I can enjoy Your home, as well as My own.

Great pictures of the owls. I have several screech-owls around in the area and also a wood-owl. Little owls are often seen or heard. In the back of my garden there is a large area, untouched, with trees and bushes where a fox has been housing for years and I know there are other “guests”. I love it. No one goes there. Too difficult as the dense underwood is stopping any effort to cross the little hill downside. There is a farmer – but he does not really farm – who does not like it and who has cut all the trees and hedges on the edges of his land, but he does not come too close to my wild garden. I have beehives and the busy “honey-flies” do not like tractors. So he keeps at a distance! We have talked much about it, but he is quite stubborn when we talk about environment. The only thing he is interested in is… money. I think he is waiting to buy that part of the property. After my death! I hope I will live until 100 years. Makes me chuckle when I think about it. Sorry… Diane

A very poignant reminder to all of us that Mother Nature got it right the first time.
Perhaps, eventually, the entire planet will benefit from acknowledging what you’ve said so well.
Beautifully written.

We have sea birds here and we particularly never get tired of watching eagles either on the shore or in the tops of high trees. Some tall trees here have been designated eagle trees and they are not allowed to be cut down. Our garden is just over three years old and the trees and plants have really grown during that time and different species of birds enjoy a “stopover” in our yard. It sounds like you are really trying to keep the land productive and “healthy”.

Thank You for you’re speedy reply. I never missed an episode of Downton Abbey. You, and your Husband own a beautiful estate. I’d like to tell you a little about myself. I live in Riverton, Wyoming 160 miles away from Yellowstone National park. The elevation is about 5,400 ft. this area of the state is mostly agricultureal. The winters here are almost 5.5 months long, and pretty cold. About 3 weeks ago the night time temp was -29 below zero. It’s warming a little. We have many large animals, small animals, and lots of birds. About 14 miles out of town, there is , eagles, hawks, cougars, rattle snakes, foxes,coyotes,racoons, owls,wild mustangs,mule deer,moose, skunks, big horned sheep. The wolves haven’t came this far south yet. I also volunteer at our local animal shelter, and help them with mean dogs. I’m retired, since my health is improving I’m , going to spend more time with some dogs with behavorial problems. I would like to visit England some day, It’s on the top of my bucket list. Sincerely, Rod Laird

What a rewarding responsibility to be the keepers of such magnifigance.

I love it when your blog arrives. I live in Zambia Africa and it gives me a little bit of England.
Thank you.

Loved reading this lovely blog post, Lady Carnarvon, and seeing in my mind’s eye your beautiful English Countryside. Living in Winchester, Virginia, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, we also have much wildlife, many kinds of birds, including owls, bears, foxes, groundhogs, moles, possums and skunks, herds of deer … and now, prowling around our home, a bobcat! Our beautiful environment is a very precious gift to us which we all need to work together to protect.

I live in a community outside Nashville, Tennessee. We have just begun to see our first hints of Spring after a much colder winter than usual here in the southern part of the United States. Our neighborhood was at one time a much larger wooded area with lots of deer and smaller animals that we saw occasionally. Now the deer roam the yards in our neighborhood more often as they are slowly losing their natural habitat. I have not seen Owls but love these lovely creatures and would enjoy if they were residents near my home. As a devoted fan of Downton Abbey, I was thrilled that your lovely home was open to visitors certain times of the year. I am hoping to visit this year in August and look forward to viewing some of the beauty you so eloquently speak of in your posts.