Gates of Narcissus

Spring is here (well officially anyway).
One is reminded of this by the daffodil shoots that are already sprouting in gardens - and by this design of daffodils on the gates to Broughton Hall.  I don't know why the daffodils are so prominent - maybe the owner has adopted them as his symbol (?), though one wonders if that in turn may have to do with the Daffodil's more exact name, ie Narcissus... !

Stables fit for a vice-chancellor

The University of Keele took over the old Sneyd Hall and its estate in the 1950s - and the institution has never looked back since.

This courtyard complex in the picture is a little distance off from the main hall, built as the estate stables in the nineteenth century.  It is named The Clock House.
For some odd reason, it was made the Vice-Chancellor's official residence.

For sale - only £2million pounds...

This grand old Jacobean mansion, Horton Hall, was recently up for sale for almost £2million.  It's in a nice spot, rather remote, so I considered buying it.
Unfortunately, I do not have £2million.

The storms that have been criss-crossing the south of England, and bits of Scotland, have not really affected Staffordshire; and the mild (well, mild for December) temperatures continue.  It is not predictable however, whether it will be a case of frosty blue skies and damp & grey ones.
Today was clear-blue.