Wyken

After a stormy and grueling flight across the Atlantic, I arrived by car at the fabulous Wyken Hall Estate and Vineyards in Suffolk, owned and operated by Sir Kenneth Carlisle and Lady Carla Carlisle. The Elizabethan manor house is surrounded by 1200 acres of sprawling farmland and well-manicured formal gardens. Also enjoying this quintessential country estate is wide array of animals such peacocks, guinea fowl, chickens, Shetland sheep, Red Poll cattle, and an adorable Labrador retriever named Otis Ray.

Exploring the estate grounds, I found wonderful plants such as Fritillaria meleagris (Snakes Head Fritillary), Fritillaria imperialis (Kaiser's Crown) Betula jacquemontii (with its stark white trunk), ancient oaks, drifts of daffodils, and a huge Mahonia lomariifolia. I was also lucky enough to get some fly fishing lessons from the Carlisle's son. It was a uniquely pleasant experience, and I hope to continue learning the art when I return to the States.