We decided a Winter Picnic was Good Idea

And it was! 14 of us turned up at Ampthill and walked the short distance to Houghton House via Ampthill Park.

Here we are admiring Katherine's Cross which is an early example of a Gothic Revival monument erected by Capability Brown in 1773. In the 1530s Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon stayed in the castle which was originally here.

Although the floor is damp and it was a grey day we didn't get wet and it was very mild for December. This was classed as an active social (i.e a short walk to enjoy the company of others and such things as food and drink!)
Houghton House today is an English Heritage property which is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

This is a view from Houghton House which is NE of Ampthill.

This is us enjoying our picnic and hot mulled wine and various nibbles for which we gave donations to this year's Bogtrotters charity, Keech Cottage Hospice, which we had in the grandure of Houghton House.


Another view of Houghton House, good job it was dry as although it looks impressive, unfortunately there is none of the roof left at all!

We then walked back to Ampthill where many of us enjoyed the warmth and Christmas Cheer of the Albion which is a fine Banks and Taylor public house.