Before I had walked 3 kilometres west from New Norfolk, I was pleasantly surprised to pass a beautiful 19th century grand country house. Photos of the Atherfield House wearing a coat of an inauthentic pink can be seen at http://www.atherfield.com/ and I am delighted to show you the house with its current more sympathetic colour.
Last week the deciduous trees on this property were yet to flourish with flower and leaf, but the spring bulbs splashed colour in dotty clumps.
The history of the house has been summarised at http://www.atherfield.com/history.shtml. It seems that this building started its life in the early 1800s as the Help Me On Inn which later was named the Ark Inn. Over the early decades, when convicts were transported inland they were housed overnight in one of two stone cells still existing beneath the house.
Immediately next to Atherfield House I spotted a paddock containing grazing alpacas.
View Atherfield Alpacas for more of these soft gentle-appearing animals. The Atherfield House and property sits next to the main road over which lies a slip of vegetation then the river. I wonder if the alpacas enjoyed their view of the fast flowing Derwent River as much as I did.
Walking the Derwent River 
What a gorgeous property. I wonder whether her rose garden has been completed (or started!) Wouldn’t it be great if they did open homes?
LikeLike
I reckon a phone call might make anything possible. Do you want me to check whether I am being overly optimistic and see if we can go up one weekend and visit?
LikeLike
Oh, that would be fantastic! Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
I will add it to my ‘to do’ list and let you know when I have an answer.
LikeLike
I had to start the rose garden over again because they all died in the drought… I am only getting David Austins now – too hard to replace all those rare ones I had…
LikeLike
Hi Roz Lovely to hear from you. Can I assume you live in Atherfield House? If so, I am so sorry the roses have died. What a shame and what a great loss for you. That’s what happens in the natural environment. Alas.
LikeLike
Yes, my husband and I have been the lucky owners of Atherfield for the past 14 years… There are satellite photos showing how dry and denuded of vegetation the property was during the drought… but it is looking very green at the moment thanks to all the rain we have had…
LikeLike
And green properties always look so prosperous and healthy. It is probably a very pretty time to come past again. Cheers.
LikeLike