The photos below seem to have been taken so long ago, and they were too. More than six weeks ago. We had such a lovely time, when Jackie and Sue visited us, although the time went by too fast. And now it is all a very happy memory of their visit.
Walter and Jackie. A very comfortable park bench.
Knole, the magnificent stately home of the Sackville family, now a National Trust property.
Many of the rooms and furniture were being restored so we had a limited tour of the house. However, what we saw was very remarkable. The view of the house was taken from the Gatehouse Tower opposite the house. The tower has recently been opened and shows the rooms, including furniture and photos, of Edward Sackville-West, 5th Baron Sackville, who lived here between 1926 and 1940.
I am always fascinated by the lead trough in the courtyard of the house. A very flash horse trough, one might think. But no, it was used to keep fresh fish in, before the age of ice and refrigerators. Fascinating.
Another stately home, Chartwell, the country home of Winston Churchill. Jackie and I arrived right on opening time, in order to beat the crowds, but in fact by the time we left at midday there were still no crowds. Most unusual. It was lovely to wander around the beautiful gardens, and admire the inside of the house, quietly.
Another bench, and a wonderful view over the rolling hills, woodland and fields of the Weald. Such beautiful countryside.
The comfortable and friendly home of Charles Darwin, called Down House. He lived here with his wife and many children, for forty years, so it was very much a family home. It was on this property that he worked on his theories of evolution, and set up many experiments in the garden.
Eltham Palace, the Art Deco home of the Coulthards. The palace, once the home of Bishops and Kings, fell into ruins. The great hall was all that remained when Stephen and Virginia Coulthard acquired the leasehold in 1933. They restored the great hall and built an elaborate house beside it. The interior of the house has been built and furnished in Art Deco style.
A visit to Sissinghurst Castle, once the home of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West, the daughter of the third Baron of Knole Both Harold and Vita were writers and garden designers, and lead quite an alternative life, to say the least, in the many separate buildings in Sissinghurst. Together they designed and built the world famous garden around the buildings.
Jackie and Sue standing in front of one of flower beds, and ready to do the tour of the garden. A gloriously sunny day.
While Sue and I climbed the many steps to the top of the tower, Jackie and Walter had a well earned rest on a comfortable bench.
And finally a visit to Ightham Mote, a 14th century moated manor house, which has been restored in keeping with the different owners over the last seven centuries.
The current exhibition at Ightham Mote, based around John Singer Sargent's painting 'A Game of Bowls', which is on loan from a private collection in the USA. It shows Ightham Mote in 1889, when Americans, Queen Palmer and her daughter lived in the house.
The three of us hiding behind the silhouettes of the people in the painting. A game of bowls perhaps. Or a game of hide and seek. That posh handbag of mine looks a trifle bizarre.
A picnic in the grounds of Ightham Mote. I know I look as if I have a thick puffer jacket on, but it is actually a very thin jacket, just puffed up due to the way I am sitting on the seat. It was quite a pleasant and warm spot. Great picnic lunch too.
A day in London, walking along the South Bank. A birthday outing for me, with Walter, Jackie and Sue. Such a special occasion.
And now Jackie and Sue have returned to Australia, after fantastic trips and many experiences. They both, on their separate holidays, visited many places in Europe, Ireland the Britain. And we were so fortunate to hear all about their travels when they visited us. Such an amazing time.
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