Green England

Hi, I'm back...

I haven't actually been anywhere

just sitting here waiting for the Internet to be

re-connected following the theft...

right out the front of our house

of the copper wiring from the

BT (telecom) box! 

And, to be quite honest, I don't have a 

lot of inspiration at the moment...

so I've been scouring the photo files

and I have come up with these

shots...the result of a walk around the 

village quite a few weeks ago...

Now, I must warn you...if you are allergic

to gluten, look away...

Because, there is fields and fields of wheat

surrounding the village.

England is beautiful and green at the moment

and the villager's gardens are full of colour...

Just a few peonies on this bush...

and bloomin roses are everywhere.

 There's even a few lambs around...

this one's the black sheep of the family!!

My favourite tree, covered in green...

A quick peek over a gate into yet more
wheat fields...

Then back up through the green tunnel,
into the village.

Oh, and look who's back...

yep...my little mate, 

back for a drink and a snack...

bottoms up!

Diana

Without doubt, the highlight of my visit to Althorp was the opportunity to visit 

Diana's memorial, including the exhibit and the lake where she is interred. 

Upon entering the estate, we walked up through an avenue of trees which had been planted by the Earl in 1998 to commemorate the life of his sister,
Diana, Princess of Wales.

Once inside the stable complex we were able to look at memorabilia from
Diana's childhood including this pretty portrait of her as a very young girl.

There was much in evidence of a happy little girl with family photos, books, toys

and even a portable typewriter from the seventies.

In another room was a marvelous display of her wedding finery including
that dress...

as well as her wedding shoes...

the diamond earrings worn on her wedding day...

and the dresses of the little flower girls...

This is the box in which guests took home a piece of wedding cake.

However, the most moving exhibit was the one showcasing some of Diana's wardrobe...

I remembered her wearing many of these dresses and outfits, like it was just yesterday...

In the background there would be a large photograph of the Princess

wearing these gowns at the various functions and royal occasions...

With the addition of a large screen spooling Diana in action at events and charity
appearances...it was definitely 'lump in my throat' time...

The room containing the 'Books of Condolence' was astounding....

An entire wall was taken up with books from countries all over the world, 

as well as from every county in England.

Especially touching was the many bound examples of children's artwork and letters
to Diana...I'm sure she would have loved these the most..

I then headed down to the lake or The Round Oval as it is known...

The monument standing on the island was designed and carved in memory of
Diana, Princess of Wales, interred here on 6th September 1997.

It is an extremely serene and peaceful setting, with seats all around the lake, 

where you can just sit and contemplate...

The summer house, which was moved to the south of the Round Oval in 1926, 

is now dedicated to Diana.

Earl Spencer is quoted as saying ...."it is therefore appropriate that she has
returned to Althorp, to rest in peace, in the most beautiful of settings,
where she is most truly in context".


Linking up with Sarah at Good Life Wednesday.

Independence Day 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Althorp

On Friday the 1st of July, the day that Lady Diana Spencer, would have turned 50, I visited Althorp...home to the Spencer family for 500 years.

As we approached Althorp, the facade of the house looked surprisingly modern for it's 500 years...very restrained, with a notable lack of ornamentation...

We discovered that the original red brick Tudor design had been altered by the Second Earl of Sunderland in the 1700s. Architect, Henry Holland was commissioned to update the interior and exterior of Althorp. The outdated red brick was covered by what appears to be white brick, but which is in fact rebate tiles, flush mounted to look like brick...

Simple pediments to the north and south fronts, new dressings in the Roche Abbey stone from Yorkshire and pilasters in local Kingsthorpe stone for the front entrance, were all added to achieve the 'modern' look we see today...

A view of what must have been the original front drive...now covered in grass...

A walk around the grounds revealed more views of the impressive building...

and lovely green vistas through ancient tree-lined avenues...

The gardens were in bloom with sweet peas...

and the prettiest pink poppies...

An equally interesting building, was the old stable complex, currently used for Diana's exhibit, the shop and the cafe...

In fact we entered the estate through this complex, into a typical courtyard....

Probably built in 1732, they are distinctly different to the great house....their warm honey-coloured ironstone and Italian inspired Tuscan portico's lend to the argument that the stables are the finest piece of architecture at Althorp.

The small gatehouse at the back entrance is of a similar local stone and very quaint and picturesque...

We also happened upon Earl Spencer...he was in the gift shop signing copies of his new book...on Diana's birthday!!

And, no, I haven't forgotten her...I have lots of lovely photos of the Diana exhibit and her memorial which I will share with you later in the week...but bring your tissues.

Here's a little teaser...