The Vyne

Papa and I drove from Hermonstceux to Basingstoke, to The Vyne Estate this morning.  The Vyne is a Tudor estate, built in the 16th century.  We met Claire and her family.  We toured the huge house, then listened to "witch's story time."  Emerson and Colby played on the unusual playground and in the walled garden.  By late afternoon, we went to our hotel for the night,
Audley's Wood, with pheasants roaming the grounds. 

Knole to Chartwell

We visited Knole, a vast estate built in the 1400's that has been in the Sackville family since 1603.  The Sackville's gave the estate to the National Trust in 1946, with the caveat that they could remain on the property.  Some of the family still lives there.  The grounds of Knole are still home to the last medieval deer park in Europe.  We took a tour of part of the house.  There are 365 rooms!

Within a few minutes of leaving Knole, we arrived at Chartwell, Churchill's home for most 

of his adult life.  We toured his home and his studio, seeing many of his 537 paintings, awards, 

gifts, family photos, and so much more.  Papa has enjoyed reading about Churchill over the years 

and we had a particularly memorable afternoon at Chartwell.  

Castles and Gardens

Papa and I were up early this morning, so we walked from our B and B to Hermonstceux Castle, nearby.  It was purchased by a Canadian University several years ago and is still in use.

After breakfast, we set off for the day, visiting Bateman's, Rudyard Kipling's home.  

We had interesting conversations with the docents and enjoyed our tour.  Before leaving home, I purchased a membership to Royal Oak Foundation, a sister organization of the UK's National Trust.  Our membership in Royal Oak gave unlimited entry to 350 National Trust properties, so I planned our UK trip to visit as many castles, gardens, and manor houses as time would allow.

Next up was Scotney Castle and Gardens, where the original moated castle, built in the 1300's, was mostly demolished in the late 1800's, with much of the stone used to build a new manor house, 

to overlook the remaining old castle, as part of the gardens.  The "new" manor house was 

occupied until the last owner died at 99 years old, in 2006.  Margaret Thatcher 

rented an apartment in Scotney Castle for many years.

We went to Sissinghurst Gardens, the site of an ancient castle ruin, developed into 

one of the UK's most beautiful and well known gardens, from the 1930's to the 1960's. 

Our last stop of the day was at Bodiam Castle, built in the 1300's.  Bodiam is surrounded 

by a moat, and is a ruin on the inside, but the exterior has stood the test of time.  

It was almost 5 when we arrived at Bodiam and a light rain was falling. 

Seven Sisters

Papa and I took the train from London to Brighton this morning.  We picked up a car rental, and through gritted teeth, Papa drove the car on "the wrong side of the road" the rest of the day.  We drove east from Brighton to Birling Gap to hike up the coastal path along the white chalk cliffs, overlooking Seven Sisters.  The sky was filled with puffy clouds, the water was turquoise, and the temperature was perfect for hiking. It was an incredibly beautiful setting!

Regents Park and the British Museum

I walked with Claire and Colby through Regents Park, with stops along the way for Colby to stretch his legs.  Roses were still blooming in the Queen's Garden.  Papa and I went to Emerson's school 

and read "A Cowgirl and Her Horse" to her class, and talked a bit about life on a ranch.  

The kids were most interested in how Papa puts shoes on our horses.

Papa and I took the tube to the British Museum and walked about for a few hours.  We enjoyed seeing the Rosetta Stone, "Elgin Marbles" from the Acropolis, larger than life sculpted horses 
from Assyria.  Then back to Claire's house for our last night in London for a few weeks. 

Churchill War Rooms to Selfridges

Papa and I took the tube to the Westminster stop and walked past Westminster Abbey to the Churchill War Rooms.  We were among the first of the day to arrive and we enjoyed every moment!  It is a terrific museum!  We walked past Downing Street to the Horse Guard, where we watched the guards change places before trotting off to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.  

We walked through Trafalgar Square, enjoying street entertainment, and to Covent Garden for lunch of fish and chips.  We enjoyed music and performers along the way, then took the tube to the British Library.  It was amazing to see the Magna Carta, bibles from the 3rd and 4th century, handwritten books by DaVinci and Michelangelo, and the first musical works written by Mozart and Beethoven! We met Claire, Emerson, and Colby at Selfridges for a bit of shopping on Oxford Street. 

Kew Gardens

We rode the tube to Kew Gardens and spent much of the day exploring.  Kew Gardens is the "granddaddy of botanic gardens" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded in 1759. 

Boating on the Thames

We took a boat ride down the Thames, from Westminster to Greenwich, past so many well known monuments.  We explored the National Maritime Museum and walked up the hill to the National Observatory in Greenwich.  On our way back to Claire's flat, Papa and I walked with David through St. James Park, past Buckingham Palace, through Green Park, and back home on the tube. 

The most fun part of the day, was making jack-o-lanterns with Emerson and Colby!  

In London

Papa and I spent a busy couple of days, getting ready for our five week trip to the UK.  We left Tucson at 10 on Thursday morning and arrived in London at 7 on Friday morning.  We were welcomed with big hugs from Emerson and Colby!  I went to swim class with Colby after his morning preschool, and we walked to the top of Primrose Hill for a big view of London.  After a somewhat lazy day, we have a busy day planned for tomorrow.

Pomegranate Bounty

I've picked over two dozen pomegranates over the past two weeks.  Yesterday, I picked the rest of the crop, over 35 pomegranates!  This year's bounty was about 60 pomegranates!  I will store the just picked ones in the fridge as I eat them over the coming weeks.  My favorite pomegranate treat is a half cup of pomegranate fruit, with a quarter cup of Greek yogurt, sprinkled with brown sugar. 

Miracle of our House

I was the general contractor to build our house on the ranch, in 2004-early 2005.  Papa and I continue to be struck by the miracle of getting the materials to our site, and actually getting the house built.  Lots of eight foot tall windows, large slabs of marble countertops, load after load of concrete, a boom truck to raise the big truss in our living room and the 30' tall steel posts in our tower, on and on.  Our house isn't perfect, but we love it and love living on the ranch.

Epic Sunset

Last night's sunset, with light rain falling all around, was incredibly beautiful.  It took our breath away!  Papa and I were making dinner as the sun was going down and we stopped to enjoy the few moments, as the light and the colors changed. 

Cows on Today's Hike

I hiked down into the Buck Knob pasture this morning, with first year heifers all about.