Recently I spent a few days in Warsaw, Poland. The apartment overlooked a very interesting green building covered in ivy. The University of Warsaw Library.
When I found out that there is a garden on top of the roof I had to investigate further. I didn’t understand much of the sign but humans were walking into the lower levels of the gardens so I followed.
There were a few steps up to the lower garden so it took a while for me with my short legs.
It was all very green and peaceful despite being in the middle of a big city.
I had a little rest next to the stream.
There are interesting structures waiting for plants to grow all over them.
A great view at the top of the steps leading to the upper garden.
I peered into the big round window and could see some statues plus lots of books and people reading at tables.
The dome behind me lets light into the building.
This circle of glass windows has a round courtyard at the bottom and lets light into the library.
Excellent view across the river through the giant binoculars.
Weird things on the roof that were probably to do with ventilation or heating.
Another weird thing…
I go stuck here for a while and had to ask a human to lift me down.
The big arch of steps going up over the main structure was closed to bears. I think only staff can use it.
Ice plants grow really well on the roof. It has taken the gardeners a while to find which plants like the rooftop environment. Also Poland is warm in summer but gets very very cold in winter so plants have to be very hardy.
This looks a bit like I mght be on another planet.
Tired legs are catered for with plenty of seating for bears and humans to rest and enjoy the view.
In the next photo I am looking into the distance at the tallest building in Poland; the Palace of Science & Culture.
Another smaller bridge that visitors are allowed to walk over.
Can you spot me on the bridge?
If you ever visit Warsaw this garden is really worth a visit and it is free to go in.
More information here:
http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/pview.php?id=1095
Horace the Alresford Bear 17/9/18
The sign pointing to the gardens was a very good use of an old garden fork.
The humans wanted a good walk for some exercise (they do like exercise!) so decided to walk around the outside of the estate first of all. We walked through a field of cows, and my human commented about how lovely it was to see the calves with their mothers.
Further along I noticed a tall thin monument and climbed up on the fence for a better view. It was Lord Cobham’s Pillar.
Further along we arrived at a building that was called ‘Fane of Pastoral Poetry’. My human explained that the building was a folly, which is an ornamental building with no practical purpose. At this point we stopped walking around the outside and went into the estate.
This is the Dancing Fawn in the middle of the circle. 
Further along we arrived at The Temple of Concord and Victory. I wondered what the people that used to live here did there. 
After walking a further 270 metres (I know this because the National Trust map lists the distances between the follies), we arrived at The Queens Temple. It took me a fair while to climb up the steps as my little legs were starting to get very tired.
My human decided to carry me for a while until we reached The Saxon Deities where she sat me down with ‘Sunday’ for a rest.
I rather liked The Gothic Temple, which was surrounded by sheep.
I went closer to get a better look; there was a wedding taking place inside. A splendid place to get married!
My human picked me up again and tucked me under her arm as I was starting to walk very slowly. The estate really is very big and a few hours are needed to see everything. Here I am having a rest while looking at the view from The Palladian Bridge. I am quite difficult to spot as the bridge is quite big and I am small!
Selfie of me on the Palladium Bridge.
I rather liked the Palladium Bridge, so here is another selfie!
The Chinese house gets wrapped up in the winter to protect it from the weather. w
I had a look inside and nearly got stuck..
My human took a photo of me from the opposite side. The paintings inside all looked very old and faded.
There was some maintenance work going on at The Temple of Friendship. I tried out the lift as I don’t weigh more than 200kg.
The water lilies and swans on the Octagon Lake made me feel very tranquil. Stowe House is now a school for the children of rich people.
In the woods we found a swing big enough for at least four bears; it was such a shame that some of my relatives weren’t with me.
I also enjoyed a game of skittles.
After crossing the lake to get a bit closer I paused for a selfie with Shakespeare.
My human’s legs were tired too so at this point it was decided it was time to visit the tea rooms. Yum yum yum…..
On the way we stopped to look at a very old windmill, Le Mouline de Moidrey. The sails were open and turning in the wind when we arrived, but by the time I had climbed out of the pannier they had been folded up. The miller was having a break to eat his lunch.
After locking up the bicycles I spotted a rather large deckchair and wondered whether any giants frequented the area. 
Many coaches full of humans were arriving; and a horse and carriage was transporting some to the island.
We had no idea that it was a special day but were quite delighted to find that it was Daffodil Day. There was an exhibition displaying the many different varieties.
Daffodils were strung up in a garland outside the old packing shed.
Years ago sheds like this were used to pack up flowers and fruit to be taken to markets to be sold.
There were lots of old fruit trees in the Old Orchard.
The trees in the Mother Orchard were younger (planted only ten years ago) and had little pots around the bottoms of them for small bears to sit in. It started snowing while I was having my little rest; hence the white specks on the photograph.
Amongst the apple trees that was a huge hand as though there might be a giant underneath the ground. I think a manicure was needed as one the nails was broken.
At the edge of the field a large building housed a cider press. I like cider but as I am only quite small I only have a few sips to taste it now and then.
I was pleased to find a glasshouse as although snow can be fun it also makes fur wet and cold. Glasshouses are usually warm.
There were lots of seedlings growing in pots. Some of the pots were empty; the gardener told us that a mouse had been nibbling them.
The snow continued to fall as we walked on around the gardens. 
The Prospect Tower was closed for maintenance. Maybe we will see it next time we visit.
The beautiful blooms of the camellia didn’t seem to be troubled by the snow that was still falling.
Here I am with the Cotehele House behind me. It is about 500 years old.
We went into the house and found arts and crafts for sale. I had a chat with one of the grey knitted bears. 
There was a splendid bear sized chair for sale too.
On our way to the rest of the house I walked through an archway lined with daffodils. 
Once inside again I warmed my fur for a while by the fireplace.
There was a little chapel just inside the door with a posh fence half way across. Apparently in the old days the rich people that lived in the house would sit one side and the other side was for the poor people who had to stand and came in through a different entrance.
I sat at the organ but decided not to play it as I thought ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ might not be appropriate.
After going up some stairs I arrived at a little hidey hole that had a tiny window. 
I peered through and could see the room downstairs. It was a spy hole!
My legs always get very tired climbing the steep stairs of stately homes.
Outside it was still snowing so I was glad to be indoors.
In the kitchen there was another fire keeping visitors and the National Trust volunteer guide warm.
I thought it was probably time these vegetables were made into a stew.
The sink was very interesting indeed.
Unfortunately I fell in. It was just as well that there was no water in the bottom.
The humans helped me out and pointed out to me that there was a little fireplace underneath which would have been lit to heat the water in the sink.
Next to the sink there was an enormous stone oven where many loaves of bread must have been baked.
Up above on the wall was a big shovel that reminded me of the ‘pizza peel’ that we have at home.
The kitchen had buckets (made of leather) which would have been jolly useful had there been a fire. 
I had a last look at the house before we set off to walk down the valley to the Quay.
On the way I sat for a while in a little thatched shelter and watched the snow falling.
A little stream ran down the valley. I think lots of the plants were still asleep for winter but there were a few primroses braving the cold.
At Cotehele Quay I was hoping to see a very old barge build in 1899 called the Shamrock. However, it has been put in a tent to protect it.
I persuaded one of the humans to lift me up and I had a quick peek through one of the holes in the tent. The Shamrock did indeed look very old. 
Further along the quay I was pleased to find a seaworthy boat. The Little Charley.
We walked on to see the waterwheel which was being driven round and round by the water dropping on top of it. This is still used to grind wheat into flour.
I wasn’t in luck for a freshly baked bun though as the baker wasn’t there. 
There was a very interesting little outdoor cupboard near the mill where many years ago people used to keep butter in order to keep it cool.
The thought of flour, butter and baking made me feel extremely hungry. The Edgecombe Tearoom is an excellent place for hungry bears. 
