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Monthly Archives: April 2014

Blenheim Palace

26 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, History, Travel

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Blenheim Palace, Cotswolds, Woodstock

As we were leaving the Cotswolds this past summer we decided to take a detour and see Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s childhood home and a magnificent estate outside of Oxford.

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Home of the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the birthplace of Winston Churchill.

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He lived here in his youth with his grandmother, and although his cousin inherited the estate, he always said he had fond memories of the palace.

The room in Blenheim where Winston was born.

The room in Blenheim where Winston was born.

Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill following his famous victory at the battle of Blenheim in 1704.

The entry foyer to Blenheim Palace.

The entry foyer to Blenheim Palace.

Just 8 miles from Oxford, in the town of Woodstock, Blenheim is magnificent.

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We were able to visit (and photograph!) the State Rooms filled with enchanting treasures from the last 300 years.

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One of the most amazing pieces of art for me, was the portrait of the family by John Singer Sergeant.  Can you just imagine.

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The dining room had magnificent examples trompe l’oeil.

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The Long Library was crowned with a huge organ at the end of the room.

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And just outside the main building is the chapel.

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The parkland design of over 2,000 acres was landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s, and although not one of the most dramatic I have seen in England, it certainly was tranquil.

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It switched between the very formal…

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and the rustic natural.

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We actually could see the first touches of autumn sneaking in to England on this early September morning.

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All in all, a very English day.

Leaving Blenheim.

Leaving Blenheim. All photos by me.

 

The Cotswolds and Burford

13 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in England, Travel

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Burford, Cotswolds, The Lamb

On a rainy English Monday afternoon last summer, we made our way in to Burford.

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It is a classic Cotswold town less than an hour from Oxford. The golden buildings with the rolling hills filled with sheep in the background are a dead giveaway…this is tea and scone country.

IMG_9892It was grey and dreary and we had our umbrella up, but it was still crowded with tourists.  This is what most visiting Americans want to see…their ideal of what a quaint English town should look like.

IMG_9911The shop windows didn’t disappoint, and can put a smile on your face of the cloudiest days.

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knickknacks and sweeties…just what the doctor ordered.

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Back to the rainy High Street, it was time to head to the hotel for check in.

IMG_9896We were staying at The Lamb Inn, on Sheep Street.  How cute is that?

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The Lamb Inn in Burford

The original building was probably associated with the priory back in the early 15th century, perhaps as a Dormy House for visitors in medieval times. Finally it became an inn around the mid 1600s when Burford was a flourishing market town with a strong coaching trade.IMG_9903

The steep stairs, and low head room are a clue to its age. The garden shows off the beautiful stone work.

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We have stayed with this group of hotels before…classic character buildings beautifully modernized.

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The Lamb was no exception.

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The decor was stunning.

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And the art throughout the inn and our room was charming and whimsical.

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Finally the sun came out, and it was time to make another pass through town.

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The pubs were open for business.

IMG_9919Each pub was draped with flowers. The flowers and gardens almost make all the rain and grey skies worth it.  There was a profusion of signs trying to attract business.

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Down a side street was the local church and school.  It all was very serene.

IMG_9926We finally decided on dinner in the pub at our own hotel, The Lamb.  I felt too guilty to order lamb from the menu with this little soul looking down on me.  I think it is a fish night.

The pub at The Lamb.

The pub at The Lamb. All photos by me.

 

 

Cows in the moonlight

04 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by pat in Travel, Uncategorized

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Cotswolds, cows, Hare & Hounds

As we relaxed in our room at the Hare & Hounds (see last week’s post for all the details on this spectacular British country inn) in the Cotswolds last summer it was wonderful to watch the scene change through our window. We looked out of the front of hotel over a small field where cows moved back and forth. As the day disappeared, the moon came up, and it finally got dark as the cows disappeared…and a lone owl could be heard in the night.

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