The 3 's' Sudley, Speke and squirrels

Apologies for the lack of title yesterday was going to add after the blog was written but totally forgot. Also apparently we need to make the blog happier in case you are concerned we are having a great time!!

So for our last day in Liverpool - another chilly grey day but no rain so we were happy - we headed to 2 places not designed to be visited without a car. It must be said the Merseyside rail staff are deeply concerned that they sell you the very best deal ticket and we're worried when we opted to buy a fare to get to the Sudley stop and then we were going to purchase the hop on hop off ticket. As it did not start till 9. 30 we blew the budget and purchased the single tickets to start the day. On this train the tour director (Cheryl) who had spent the morning meticulously planning routes and bus info etc realised the required piece of paper was in the hotel room eckkk so we were winging it..... Luckily there were large signs for us to follow. First up was a decent walk to Sudley House where we arrived at 9.50, they open at 10 not 5 to but 10. So lucky for us there were 6 squirrels frolicking in the trees and as squirrels have been thin on the ground we enjoyed watching them. We then played good samaritan and helped a blind man find his way when his guide dog had had a moment and taken him well off course. The man on the counter possibly didn't live his job and proceeded to tell us the cafe wouldn't open till 12 but it makes no money anyway???  Pointing out where the toilets are seems to be important as well. .. Maybe this is indicative of the age of the usual visitor. Cheryl was very excited about this place as it hold a good collection of paintings by Strudwick and she got to see one of her favourites.
It was then on to Speke Hall we got a bus to as close as we could and then had a bit of a walk to the gate. From the gate it was a decent walk to the entrance and as it was the first day the hall had been open for a while and the first day of the Christmas decorations it was busy very busy. Again we got there a touch early for the hall to be open but wandered around the gardens and took some pics of the outside  It is a stunning Tudor building  that the Victorians bought to life. We timed our entry well and for the most part we relatively alone in the house. The decorations were simply but stunning and both of us loved the hall ways - looking out the lattice windows and the tilts and leans the house has acquired over its lifetime. We almost missed the great hall with the Christmas tree but realised in time!
Then it was time to head back to the hotel and pack for London tomorrow.