Helen came across a brochure that outlined that a number of the nearby villages were used in the Downton Abbey series. Off we went with Denis and Denise who were also avid followers. Our first stop was Swinbrook which boasts The Swan Inn where Lady Sybil and Branson stayed while planning their elopement. It is unusual as the nearest end of the building has the nearby stream diverted under it and presumably housed an internal water wheel at some stage.
As
we did the rounds Denis spotted this village square which he (and then the ladies)
recognised as a location where there was a gathering of cars from the series.
And
St Mary’s (renamed St Michael and All Angels) hosted a number of
weddings and funerals.
Church View (home to two fictional pubs) was enhanced with the Autumn colours
And
the Shill brook which was just gorgeous in the Autumn light
Cats
Abbey is part of the Sherborne estates. The main residence has been converted
into flats with views over the nearby brook. You can even rent one of them for
something like £120 per night (low season).
Continuing
on our Downton tour we made an unscheduled stop at Aston Pottery where the
flower display just had to be captured.
Mid
tour we returned to Sherborne village for coffee with the gang. The shop people
had been just great putting up with our mob regularly descending on them and
disrupting the usually much calmer customer flow. Denis F decided to dedicate
his old grimy cap to the shop owner. I have to say she was very graceful in
receiving and then wearing a clearly well used garment.
Our
earlier visit to Oxford was a short affair with the children so a second trip
was essential. We visited the Bodleian library. Downstairs is the Divinity
school which, in part, was used for pupils exams. These originally were verbal
affairs with the tutor asking a question like “How many angels are there in
heaven?” You then had to decide on a number and argue your case while the
examiner sat in the middle listening. Meanwhile there was plenty of room for
the public such as parents and those financing your education to sit and
listen. Must have been a stressful affair given candidates were generally about
17 years old.
The
library was built in 1442 above the Divinity school to keep the books above the
floods. Photography was not allowed so I snapped this poster. The library gains
some funding from leasing to film makers (eg Harry Potter). It was the first
library in Oxford and the main benefactor made a deal with Edinburgh press to
take one copy of any book they printed (in those days 1 a month). However, that
has ballooned somewhat to all published matter and now means a truck with
between 4000 and 6000 items arrives each week. These have to be catalogued and
stored by Tuesday in time for the next Wednesday delivery.
Storage
is now over some 12 buildings the largest of which in Swindon has 154 miles of
shelving……
After
all that mind blowing data it was good to just enjoy the colourful and vibrancy of the covered market.
We
also managed an overnight trip to London to tick off a bucket list item. Jazz
at Ronnie Scotts where we were joined by Sue, Martin and their son Xavier. Another
location which banned photography hence the outside shot.
The
show starred Michel Legrand with
a drummer and double base. Amazing pianist and composer (Windmills of your mind
etc). His ability to jazz tunes up with different keys and rhythms really kept the
others in the trio on their toes as well adding much humour to a thoroughly enjoyable show. Not bad at 83 years of age.
The
club is just round the corner from Piccadilly which now looks great with its
spruced up buildings and light displays.
We
took the opportunity to spend a bit of time at Hampton Court Palace where we
had managed a fleeting visit in September 2013 whilst aboard Braggabout with Sue
and Martin. We chose the Henry VIII apartment tour which started just off the
main courtyard
Which
is overlooked by a beautiful astrological clock.
The
great hall gives some insight into the lavish, no expense spared approach. Each
of the 8 tapestries cost some £2000 back in the 1500’s of Henry’s rule. He had
some 2000 made. The outside fountain delivered wine where you could help
yourself. (Good job this is not the case today as our Cats Abbey mob would have
camped there!)
The
weather continued to be balmy and dry with the result that the Autumn colours
were stunning. Here is just a small part of the gardens.
The
large formal garden still required substantial resources as the
great weather meant plants/grass continued to grow apace. The
Great Fountain Garden that is at the rear of the palace.
Next
door is the immaculate knot garden
And
a little further along the oldest and biggest vine in the world which was
planted in 1768. (For the Cats Abbey mob it still produces some 1000 bunches a
year but don't get excited they are table rather than drinking grapes!)
Opposite
the palace is Bushy Park where the deer roam freely although you are recommended
not to get too close in the rutting season. Those antlers could certainly do
some damage.
We had decided (after being unsuccessful with the ballot)
that the SF and Finals would be watched on TV. The SF comprised only Southern
hemisphere countries (what does that say?). We managed to beat Argentina 29 to
15 and “Don’t cry for me Argentina” had a new meaning when you saw their coach
gushing after the match.
We then met New Zealand for the first time in a RWC final.
We unfortunately lost 17 to 34 but it was quite close over much of the second
half then an intercept when the Kiwis were defending their line gave them a try
against the run of play. Still most of us were delighted to have made the final
given the draw and new state of the side. (The coach Michael Cheika took the reins
barely 12 months earlier.)
And with the rugby finished it was time to head home which we were looking forward to after 3 months travelling. We packed up the car, said our
goodbyes to Jo and travelled East, for the first time in quite a while, back to Australia.
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