Sunday, 2nd : Chartwell, Ightham Mote.
We let our landlady talk us out of Knole ("it's so dark") and into Chartwell, which was Winston Churchill's country home. I would certainly still like to see Knole -- wh. I suspect I would love, actually, all things considered -- but Chartwell was also interesting, and it was a lovely day.
Why do I love wobbly rooflines so very, very much?
Monday, 3rd : Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst.
Graffiti on an arrow slit at Bodiam.
"The loveliest castle in England". Slighted, but fortunately for its beauty, much of the exterior is intact or restored.
Sissinghurst -- a castle perhaps in the loosest sense of the word, but no less picturesque in its own way. I took so many photos here that I think the following will be but the precursor to a separate post ....
I love that this looks like a bookshelf, hanging outside the kitchen door of the South Cottage. Perhaps Vita put little plants in pots on a shelf now and then? Does it matter?!
My heart is I think in Warwickshire, but Kent and Sussex -- oh!
Cherry-tomato, mozzarella, and basil tart, with berries from the garden.
Tuesday, 4th : Dover Castle.
A still life in the window of our room at the B&B where we stayed.
The church of St. Mary de Castro, with the ruins of the Roman pharos or lighthouse at its west end, from the top of the Great Tower.
Wednesday, 5th : Sir John Soane's Museum, "Twelfth Night" at Shakespeare's Globe.
I didn't get any photos at the Soane, regretfully, as cameras were not allowed, but I don't think I could have really done it justice anyway -- the place is a delight for lovers of architecture, Classical antiquities, and English eccentricity, to be sure.
We stopped in at St. Clement Danes in the Strand, just across the road from the Twinings shop. A lovely church, quite different from the others we visited, in a style that manages somehow to be both frothy and dignified. This somber collection of poppy wreaths was along one side.
I'm not quite sure what to make of the production of "Twelfth Night" we saw at Shakespeare's Globe, directed by Emma Rice. I must admit that while I can completely understand Rice's determination that the plays should speak to modern audiences, I can't help feeling that in the Globe of all places, being so much in the style of Shakespeare's own day, I would rather have seen a production more contemporary to Shakespeare than to myself. I'm not at all sure how this could be brought about on a regular basis, though -- would it be economically feasible to mount period and modern productions simultaneously? (And of course it could be argued that Elizabethan actors doubtless modified each production according to the theatre, the audience, etc. etc. etc., a mere step or two to Rice's copious applications of disco and rumpy-pumpy.) But this nagging question aside, although I felt some things lacking in the production itself, the cast took it on with verve and buckets of talent, and a good time was had by all.
I've really enjoyed these! I took a photo of that Twinings Tile, as well. Looks like a wonderful trip.
Posted by: Mary Lou Egan | July 14, 2017 at 10:01 AM
What fabulous photos - I am not sure I would have left, I think I might have tried to persuade them of their very pressing need for a resident knitter who wouldn't cause any fuss or mess and barely takes up any room....
Posted by: juliet brown | July 18, 2017 at 01:35 PM
Great pictures, I am envious of your opportunity. Can see why you wanted to stay at places a couple of times
Posted by: Berva Smith | July 18, 2017 at 03:13 PM
You asked 'Why do I love wobbly roof-lines so very, very much?' I think it is because they look organic.
That outdoor bookcase, I think might be an Auricula Theatre for Primula Auricula.
That play looks decidedly odd - and was that Lenny Henry in a gold frock?! 'Our Len' who is from Dudley in the West Midlands and whose accent is probably reminiscent of Shakespeare's own.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | July 29, 2017 at 01:29 PM