Dyrham Park is quieter in winter as some humans don’t go out in the cold.  I am fortunate to have fur to keep me warm.The herd of deer certainly aren’t bothered by cold weather; they were enjoying the winter sunshine.After exploring the deer park I strolled down through the woods towards the big house.There was no chance of getting lost as there was a very big sign post.I didn’t see many birds but it might be that birds are afraid of bears.  After my walk my legs were feeling a tad tired so I stopped for a rest and enjoyed the warmth of the winter sunshine on my fur.In the formal gardens behind the big house a group of volunteers were busy working.Being a very helpful bear I decided to assist the gardeners for a while. It wasn’t long before my wheelbarrow was full up.The gardens still have some colour even in January.  The dogwood was very colourful.I would have liked to get a bit closer to the waterfall but there was a little fence along the lawn to remind people not to walk on it.  Walking on grass that is wet can make it all muddy. A hazel bush that must be in a slighty sunnier place that the other hazel bushes had lots of wiggly catkins dangling from it.I went into the stables but the horses weren’t at home.  The bale of hay was rather prickly to sit on for very long.In the shop I wondered about buying myself a hat.  My human often wears a cap; this one was rather large though and not quite me.The brimmed hat restricted my vision too much.Locally produced honey is always good.  I decided to buy the honey; much better for a bear than a hat.After so much exploring it was time for lunch.  The venison pasty was very good for bears.  Yum yum yum.National Trust properties always seem to have a 2nd hand book shop.  At Dyrham they keep the thin books in the sink. I hope no one turns on the tap.I found a very useful book to read while the humans browsed all the other books.In the cold store there was some food that looked quite appetising until further inspection revealed that it was made of plastic.The large bowls were all empty but when the house was lived in long ago they would have been used to keep things cool.Before going on our winter tour of the house I put my honey in a locker to keep it safe, and to prevent me from accidently swinging it into an antique vase.Inside the house there was work going on.  Some beetles had been nibbling away at the floor in The Great Hall, so some boards had been taken up for repairs and restoration.Another room was very odd.  The walls were covered in 300 year old gilt leather. I had a closer look at the leather.  Someone must have worked very hard decorating it, but I didn’t like it. After emerging from the house I was delighted to find snowdrops.  I like snowdrops; they make me feel that spring is coming soon.Here is a selfie of me in front of the house. When it was time to leave, there was a bit of a challenge for me.  Cattle grids (or perhaps deer grids) are not very bear friendly.Karen rescued me as the bus that takes visitors from the car park down to the house and back was approaching and needed to cross the grid. We didn’t get on the bus.  My humans like to walk, but my little legs were tired after such a lot of exploring so I had a lift back up to the carpark in the bear carrier.Dyrham Park is an interesting place for humans and bears to visit even in winter.

For more info. about Dyrham Park:  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park