Hi again Garden2garden, I have copied from wikpedia some info on thatching (see below). I'm afraid the palms don't have anything to do with thatching in England but maybe in tropical areas they were used for roofing of some sort in the past. My husband & I stayed in this beautiful cottage for a night, it is a B&B near Yarmouth I think. "Thatching is the craft of covering a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, sedge, rushes and heather, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof. It is probably the oldest roofing material and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates. Thatch is still employed by builders in developing countries, usually with low-cost, local vegetation. By contrast in some developed countries it is now the choice of well-to-do people who want their home to have a rustic look." Thanks for the rose names Jon, Roger had added 2 of them in the comments section on Flickr. They are roses that I have not heard the names of before so unlikely to be found in Australia although they are often known under other names so I will do some research. The photos of Stourhead I was very pleased with. I had visited there about 23 years ago in September I think but loved it and was very keen to revisit. I am so pleased that I was able to visit in May this time in 2004 as the azaleas etc were in massive flower. So many beautiful colours and stunning trees and the lake and the follies..I could wax lyrical but I need to go to bed. I'll add some more of the gardens I visited to Flickr in the future. Cheers Debra

I've started looking at things & thinking would my SS person like this? Can't wait to see who I get. I like cross stitch, cats, candles, baking & cake decorating items. Any plant I don't have (including bulbs or seeds) is great especially fragrant, colorful, odd or unusual & I like plants with a story behind them. An actual non-fading marker that works on my window blind tags would be priceless. Sign me up for your favorite seed, craft & other interests catalogs too. Linda

Grandma made this afghan with love in every stitch for you to use and enjoy but there is just one hitch because you two are sisters and together will grow old you'll always have each other especially when you're cold The center of your afghan is the favorite color of your sis and no matter what life throws at you you'll be together because of this So cherish this special gift that I have made for you with love this Christmas season and through your whole life too

What's your opinion about The Poet's Wife? I invite you to join the conversation in the Roses forum: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/which-yellow-austin-happy-child-or-poets-wife-dsvw-vd~3725828