Our spring, 2022, visit to the UK is primarily about gardens, which we'll visit mostly in the southern coastal counties and Wales. We're in mid-spring here, the camellias and bulbs and such just at or beyond peak and beginning to close out, the azaleas and rhododendrons and wisteria and much more coming on strong. It's largely a matter of species and micro climates and such, but it appears we have once more been fortunate on the timing. Plus, as I write, we've been on the island a week and have seen only an afternoon of light rain, and that while driving from Sevenoaks to Dibden. Oh yes, we rented a car at Heathrow, a VW Polo, and are driving ourselves around, myself feeling fairly pleased and accustomed to it all, even the left-handed shifting bit, Vicki constantly terrified as always. She'll be better now that we're out of the hedgerows and holloways and passing bays of Sussex and Kent.
Anyhow, in addition to the gardens, we'll do a great house or museum or cathedral now and then, favoring our favorites and adding something new when it appeals. We visited old friend Petworth on May 6th, a major art museum doubling as one of the greater great houses. We were there mostly for the art and because it was nearby and also for old times' sake. There have been a lot of old times...
https://roadeveron.blogspot.com/2013/06/petworth-2013.html
https://roadeveron.blogspot.com/2016/05/petworth-house-2016.html
https://roadeveron.blogspot.com/2019/07/petworth-again.html.
 |
| Any concern we might have had about missing the height of rhododendron season was allayed here |
 |
| The weighing chair at Petworth...common in other houses, but I don't think we've seen this here; interpretations vary as to why guests were weighed coming and going...maybe to ensure you ate and drank well...maybe to ensure none of the silver was leaving with you |
 |
| Statue recently identified as that of a youthful Nero, one of only three known |
 |
| Just one of the twenty Turners, Hulks in the Tamar, c. 1811 |
 |
| The Leconfield Head of Aphrodite, attributed to Praxiteles, fourth century BCE |
 |
| Love the continuing use of Turner watercolors to illustrate room uses and histories... |
 |
| Full spring |
1 comment:
When we were driving in England and Wales, we took Rick Steves' advice and got a big "L" for "learner" and put it on our windshield. It was interesting to see people move over particularly on roundabouts to get out of our way!
Post a Comment