There has been a lot of toing and froing of offspring over the last month or so, which has been absolutely lovely. E is on the point of starting a new job and, having accumulated a fair bit of holiday, stayed for a few days on either side of a visit to London to visit L. She then returned a week later en route to Gatwick for a flight to Vietnam. She stayed overnight, and we dropped her at the airport at 8am to check in. It feels very odd waving your daughter off for a solo holiday in a far flung place. I am so proud of her for having the gumption to do it - I certainly wouldn't be brave enough - but I'll sleep much easier once she is home again. I keep dreaming of her, which shows that my brain isn't quite at ease with the situation.
In between E's visits, L and her partner, V, came to stay over the August Bank Holiday weekend. V is a big fan of Downton Abbey. Despite the series supposedly being set in Yorkshire, it is actually filmed in Highclere Castle, just 10 minutes down the road from us. We had promised them a visit and booked tickets well in advance as they sell out quite quickly. Surprisingly, R had never been either - despite me taking the girls several times when they were young; it must have been during the summer holiday when he was busy working.
We arrived equipped with a picnic which, sadly, we weren't allowed to eat in the grounds, so after looking round the castle, we ate it in the car! Nor was photography permitted in the house itself, which was a little disappointing. They must be making an absolute mint, given the number of coach tours we spotted. Many were from Yorkshire, and we wondered if they were under the impression that it was a local trip when they signed up for it, before becoming confused as to why they were suddenly on a motorway and heading for Hampshire! They must have had a very early start to get there for 10.30 in the morning.
The house was lovely and very familiar if you have watched the Downton series. We decided to play a game where we each had to choose an object that we would like to take home with us - and say where you would position it. My choice was a modest oil painting of a cow which had taken my fancy, and it was to go on the wall to the right of the stove. R wanted the grandfather clock - although the only place that we could put it in our current house would be on the opposite side of the bay window to our other grandfather clock, which might look a bit odd!
L, unsurprisingly, wanted the grand piano - but admitted that she would have to get rid of either the sofa or the dining table to fit it into the flat. Good luck getting it up those stairs is all I can say!
Finally, I think that V wanted the desk that had belonged to Napoleon, which might fit where the current desk is with a bit of a squeeze!
During WWI, the castle was turned into a hospital for wounded soldiers, and in the Second World War, it was a home for evacuated children from London.
The Egyptian exhibition in the cellars was fascinating, as Lord Carnarvon, of Tutankhamun fame, lived at Highclere. He is buried on top of Beacon Hill, overlooking the estate. After Carter died, his son (the 6th Earl of Carnarvon) wanted nothing more to do with the artefacts and they were squirrelled away behind plant pots, urns and between rooms. His son and grandson eventually decided to go on a treasure hunt after the butler told them of their presence. The exhibition celebrates the 5th Earl's discovery of the tomb.
After our car picnic, we explored the gardens using the map provided. They were lovely and we made up for the lack of photography in the house, by taking many family shots on the various benches!
Other happies this month include:
The partial solar eclipse. The last one was when we had just moved into our current house, and I remember R rigging a similar set up with the telescope then for the girls to watch it. This time we invited the neighbours' children round, as I was worried that our trees in the back garden might block their view.
That's all for this month. After the neighbours came round for a cup of tea this morning, R and I had lunch and then went for our usual walk. It seemed very hot and muggy, so I have my fingers crossed for a storm. I hope that all is tickety boo at your end. Until next time .....
