This celebrated 18th century plantation on Cherrystone Creek is one of the most photographed properties in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Eyre family’s prominent Northampton County history began in 1623, when Thomas Eyre arrived to take up land patents here. By 1758, his great-grandson, Littleton, had purchased the present site and completed the gambrel-roofed manor house. Now owned by the builder’s 8th generation descendent, Eyre Hall possesses an assured authenticity made possible by continuous family stewardship.  The plantation’s magnificent brick-walled garden, established by John Eyre about 1805, is considered the oldest in Virginia to have been continuously maintained. Encompassing over two acres, the design features parterres lined with mammoth ancient box overhung by towering crape myrtles at least 150 years old.  There is also the family graveyard and romantic orangery ruin dating back to 1819.  The gardens are open to the public year-round, free of charge. Eyre Hall is located on west side of Rt. 13 between Cheriton and Eastville.

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Martina Coker coordinated a trip to Fisherman Island and it turned out to be a great outing.  The weather cooperated, Carol found a bottle, and John's find had a message in it .. :-)  I don't know about anybody else, but I can't wait to go again next year ..

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Tom Saunders:  "it was a brave and hearty bunch that assembled in the Marina parking lot this morning for the final Bay Creek bird walk of 2008.  Temps in the low 40’s and a stiff breeze out of the west made for challenging conditions but, despite the weather, we had a good time and saw a few birds. If we count the two “stinkers”, pigeon and starling, we saw twenty-eight species in the hour and a half we were out.   Not record setting, surely, but respectable for this time of year.   Highlights were good looks at eastern meadowlark, killdeer, hooded merganser, belted kingfisher and great blue heron.   We also saw song and chipping sparrow, greater yellowlegs, ruddy ducks, buffleheads, dunlin, sanderling and listened to a noisy but unseen bald eagle in the pines behind the shops. "

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Great fall weather provided a wonderful setting for both the Fall Member/Member golf tournament and for the 2nd Annual Bay Creek Day.  I managed to capture a few pictures of the golf tournament before I had to tee off myself.    With the help of my wife, Sherry, I did get quite a few Bay Creek Day images which started at Carousel Park with an Oyster Roast and subsequently moved to the beach for a bonfire and a remarkable sunset.   It's pretty evident that a good time was had by all ....

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Tom Saunders:  "This group was smaller than usual but it was a great morning to go for a walk and everyone had a good time. We had ospreys in sight the entire trip and a juvenile (third year) bald eagle made several appearances.  We saw five raptors, including an American Kestrel this morning, pretty good any day."

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