Cookham and the Estate (again).

Cookham is just across the river from here. So – around we went.

It’s a pretty little village that sits by The Thames.

It has a beautiful old church set a way back from the road …but with square tower quite visible   …and  a short yew walk.

Also some pretty stained glass, and a very good copy of Stanley Spencer’s “Last Supper” on one wall. (The original is in the gallery in the main street).

We strolled over the bridge …and the length of the main street, and generally just enjoyed ourselves.

Pottered on a few miles and walked along beside the canal to Boulters Lock.

The day was bright and fine, so we ventured out in the afternoon to have our last 2015 walk – in  Clivedon.

First,  to The Blenheim Pavilion.

We were debating whether or not to go back via Canning’s Oak …when a cheery man driving one of the Clivedon National Trust shuttle busses, stopped, got out, and proceeded to chat to us.

He was interested that I was taking  photos and wanted to see what camera I had. Told us his name is Rick  …introductions all around.

Then, with great enthusiasm, he pointed out a few beautiful spots in the near vicinity to take shots from.

Turns out, he is a retired professional photographer …and got talking with Arthur about Lenses… SLR’s … mirror view finders …and goodness knows what else!

Also told us he was retracing his “steps” looking for his glasses case. He’d left it somewhere …

“We saw it!” we said …”it’s on the bench in the Blenheim Pavilion”. (Bingo!!)

…”Are you eventually going back to The House?” I asked …”could we perhaps hitch a ride?” *politely*… *smiles*…

“And  …*hopefully! * …perhaps we could do a round trip with you  ..and you could stop at the good spots for me to take pictures…???”

Well – he DID!  

And we had a lovely time chatting to him …made a new friend …took some more photos ……and saved Arthur’s hip from total destruction!!!

Incidentally Andrew and Matt, - Canning’s Oak fell down in a storm in 2004 …so we have historic pictures of it while still standing!!

They have kept the bottom 4 metre (approx..) …and it’s now  horizontal, with the trunk and exposed roots nicely polished, (a bit like Hans Knorr’s Phoenix Tree) …and children can climb on it.

And we saw a child (with mother) doing just that, and plainly having a wonderful time!

After he dropped us off, we had a pot of tea before heading back to New Cottage.

Lovely!

And now it is evening …tomorrow we have a LONG journey back to Australia.

The journey is So Far ….and our leaving is now So Near…

Rain …and more rambling around

It was the comforting sound of rain pattering  against the windows that greeted us this morning when we finally awoke.

Anyway, I think it’s comforting …especially with the knowledge, that if we wished,   we could  stay  tucked up inside our cottage.

…we wished!!!

Could it be all the walking …?

Or could it be,  that we stayed up frightfully late looking at funny stuff on TV…?? Probably a combination of the two …In any case, we were MORE than happy to have a slow start to the day.  

The day was noticeably cooler than yesterday, so Arthur grabbed the opportunity to put a match to the fire already set in our fireplace – very cheery!

(…the thought occurs – it’s nearly time to return to an Australian summer …gosh!)

Sometime later, the sky lighter and the rain having petered out, we drove up to the main car park …and walked.

Along to The House, around onto the large terrace overlooking The Parterre, and finally back along the edge of a large park area …and finally returned to the car park.

I pottered in to the House …chatted for a while to a friendly man who works there ….had a look at the Afternoon Tea menu (and was told there was room for tomorrow…!), and generally enjoyed the wood panelling, the portraits, the beautiful staircase …and the atmosphere of quiet elegance.

Even without the sunshine we enjoyed the herbaceous borders flanking the Forecourt lawn – hot colours on one side, and cool colours on the other.

Also the pretty Dovecote …and the  Italianate clock tower that was built in 1861, with it’s lovely blue faced and gold surround clock on each of the four sides.

A very cunning tower this – it’s actually that water tower supplying the House. Clever!!

And from up high on the Terrace the view across the Parterre and off into the distance that is Buckinghamshire, was glorious.

Later in the afternoon, at about the time of day when it’s very nearly dusk, I strolled along the river path for a short while.

Everything was still …and SO quiet … the reflections looked soft and muted – just beautiful!!

And our swans came over again, hoping for something to eat. What would YOU do? – I certainly couldn’t disappoint them…  

…then back inside – where the fire is still crackling in a friendly manner.

Enjoying Clivedon

…and what a smashing day to walk and enjoy!!

Awoke this morning to a bright day.

It just got better from there really. On the weather report tonight, it was spoken of as… “the last halcyon day of autumn. And what a glorious autumn it has been!”  How fortunate are we? …and how we enjoyed it!

In fact, to say we over-did it,  may be more precise. Tonight I’m feeling bits of me that I had forgotten existed!!

Firstly, it was up from the river and into the water garden. We wandered around there for ages …lots of paths winding in and around …little bridges …and big flat stepping stones taking us over lake and stream. Everywhere, were the gold, orange, and red tones of the season.

Quite a few water fowl …and a particularly delicious heron that waded about for ages.

Decided to give the maze a miss … instead, happily kicked the autumn leaves as we walked through the grass (what a great sound that makes!) …and so to the beginning of The Grand Avenue.

This avenue is flanked by lawns and a row of tall lime trees, sweeps to the forecourt, which in turn, leads to the ‘cour d’honneur’ (or large inner courtyard) at the main entrance to the House. (Clivedon)

Here, in glorious splendour, is “The Fountain of Love”.

We’ve often been here in winter  -  and it’s splendid then  …but with no water spouting from it.

Today, with the water …and the sunlight, …it looked magnificent!

Then on into The Long Garden – aptly named.

Filled with topiary sculpture and classical sculpture …but last week the beds had been replanted, so they are bare still.

Arthur found a comfy seat at this point, and I continued up the grassy ride known as Queen Anne’s Walk, past the large sculpted urn, and around the corner facing The Blenheim Pavilion.

(Thought of Matt …he posed beautifully for me here nearly half his life ago, while I snapped pictures of  him!)

Wound around to find Arthur still sitting happily …at this stage we decided we’d had enough for a bit …and retreated back down to New Cottage.

After lunch I talked him into driving around to Cookham, a pretty little village on the other side of the river, where we took the Thames river path – ending up  opposite  Clivedon.

It was beautiful, quiet and peaceful, but …it was just too long a distance!! Arthur’s hip didn’t like it (!!!) so we staggered back to NC.

…later in the last of the afternoon sunshine, I headed up the flight of steps from the river leading to The Parterre. It’s called the Yew Tree Walk …I knew it was steps –

Not  just ‘a walk’ …and it was just lovely!!

I even saw a muntjac deer!!

…it meandered across the steps above me – was fossicking about in the wood up there – sadly didn’t get a photo. Ah well …

I enjoyed the view from The Octagon Temple (right up on the top above our cottage) …and also enjoyed circumventing the entire parterre.

And …the views …and the afternoon sunshine … were absolutely wonderful.

BUT …

I had forgotten there are 172 steps …going down, as well as going up!!!!

…and that The Parterre fills a grass platform that covers over six acres!!!

And oh – I  am SO tired!! …and  my body is feeling it tonight!!  

Into Town!

Into town today.

Having stayed up late last night looking at a very hilarious game show on TV, we had wondered if we’d want to do anything this morning.

Surprisingly, we felt great!!!  So …off we headed into London.    

Luckily we got a Great Western intercity train – express to Paddington. Fantastic …we were there in 10 minutes!!!

All this walking must be good for us, (and fortunately Arthur’s hip has stood up to it - more or less…) …but at this stage it seems that I’ve probably worn my feet down by at least half an inch!!

The day was dry if not sunny, and we pottered about some of the places we just love.

Found our way into Fortnum and Masons (Piccadilly since 1707) and enjoyed a pot of tea and a toasted teacake each.

…thus fortified, we  proceeded to enjoy this icon from top to bottom.

The Christmas Shop section is in full swing now. We looked at two boxes of really special Christmas Crackers.

Very large in size, they were decorated in rich reds that looked simply glorious. Six per box, they had  various things inside them, like …a silk scarf …cuff links …a sterling silver tea strainer …a silk tie …other special things… (can’t remember them all…).

All packaged up in a Fortnum & Mason wicker basket. The whole thing looked absolutely fabulous. Do you fancy one??

….it will only set you back One Thousand Pounds per box!! (NO – I didn’t!!!!)

But we did get a few chocolates from the Food Hall to enjoy tonight back at New Cottage.

Had a lovely long chat with Clair, at Favourbrook …also a visit with Sophie in their women’s shop.

…and with Agata in their little men’s shop around the corner in the arcade when we  picked up Arthur’s waistcoat.

And a Surprise!! She had got them to make him a bow-tie as well. No cost – a present!!! How amazingly lovely!!

…it was hilarious really. She decided to tie this for him –so he’d know how to do it in future ...(and that it was tied properly!)

Down she sat on a chair, proceeded to wrap it around her upper leg, and said …”Now Arthur. This may look a little strange …but I want it to be tied properly for you”.  !!!

He was a little concerned that he’d have to remove it from her leg when she’d finished…! But she did that herself ….! *dream on …*

Meandered a bit more; took a few photos; looked at the sweet little Christopher Wren church on Piccadilly; strolled into St. James Square and enjoyed the autumn-ness in that  lovely garden square.

Then on down to Pall Mall for some lunch in the RAC Club.

In the lounge.

Several people were in there, but there was plenty of room for us too. This place is so quietly genteel …such a privilege to be able to enjoy a London Gentleman’s Club  …and SO comfortable!!

It was definitely time to rest the old feet!!

Yes – Arthur HAD to wear his tie and coat …and yes – I HAD to cloak my coat …and yes, by the way – there were at least two men fast asleep in comfy lounge chairs. (But …oh, they were dressed impeccably!!!)

After a bit more enjoying London, we headed back on the train. Chatted to a friendly chap with his little daughter as we made our way NOT express back to Maidenhead.

Whoever said the English are not friendly?!!!

Waddesdon

The morning was fine and seemed set to be bright, so we decided to head off to Waddesdon Manor.

This is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for quite a while.

Oddly, for England, it’s an extravagantly turreted chateau in the French Renaissance style.

Set in an enormous park of beautifully landscaped gardens, woodlands, and gracious grounds.

It was the life work of one of the Rothschilds …as a family, they were the greatest collectors of the 19^th century.

As you may imagine - this house is absolutely jam-packed with treasures!!!

I have long been aware of dozens of them, and so, looked for them …but the whole experience of viewing this place still overwhelmed my brain!

There was the extraordinary musical automation in the shape of an elephant – and it’s a clock!

….Gainsborough’s “Pink Boy” (so beautiful!), and his “Lady Sheffield” …the Beauvais Tapestries …also the Sevres porcelain (so over-the-top).

Then there were the sweet little chairs in the ‘wash room’ next to The Dining Room …and the Baron’s private apartments.

And skipping over too many things to mention, we finally came to something that I’ve SO wanted to see! …

The startling chandelier – made of broken porcelain!! – that was commissioned in 2003 for the Blue Dining Room.

… and it lived up to my expectations …and much more!

If  I could take home one thing, THAT would be it!!!

They wouldn’t let me, of course …

So …after exploring the house, we made our way to the Manor Restaurant, and revived ourselves with a wonderful lunch.

The icing on the cake (so to speak) was the classical jazz guitarist playing there.

Music …and food …a nourishing combination!

 Later, back in our cottage by the river, a leisurely stroll along the river bank path beautifully ended an enjoyable day.