I'm a bit behind. I was within five posts of caught-up, but then we hit London, and then grand-daughter Penelope (and parents) arrived, and tonight we're at the port of Dover, awaiting transport tomorrow to beloved France. As I catch up, there will be posts on Erdigg House and Gardens, Stowe House and Gardens, Highclere (Downtown Arby's), Ascot, Waddesdon, Hampton Court and Gardens, Tate Britain, Kew Gardens, the British Library, V&A, Hever Castle, Bodiam Castle, and more. Stay tuned.
PS. July 26. Le Touquet/Paris Plage. We're in France now, with P, so it may be a while before I post again!
...recounts the retirement travels of Mark and Vicki Sherouse since 2008...in Asia and the Pacific, New Zealand, Europe, South America, and Africa, as well as the US and Canada. Our website, with much practical information, is: https://sites.google.com/site/theroadgoeseveron/.Contact us at mark.sherouse@gmail.com or vsherouse@gmail.com.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Chirk Church
After Chirk castle and gardens we parked at the Chirk RR station. One of the things we have learned on this trip is that the train stations, especially way out in the boonies like Chirk, can be very quiet and safe places to savage-camp, with no prohibitions and no cost. The provincial lines simply don't run at night. After dinner, we walked into Chirk town and visited Chirk Church, an old parish church that was a hub of activity that evening, decorating for a Saturday wedding.
Chirk RR station |
No ordinary station; even though it is not staffed (you just board the train and see the conductor about a ticket), it is still beautifully landscaped and appointed |
Chirk Church, dates from 15th-16th centuries, though predecessors stood on the site much earlier |
Double nave, the right side younger |
Painted carvings on the terminals of the arch braces; 15th-16th |
Not funny faces |
But close |
Nice Perpendicular windows, 15th |
16th |
On the south side, many memorials, mostly to the Myddletons |
And these cute little paddles, offering an English translation of the Latin memorial inscriptions |
Interesting place |
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Chirk Castle Garden
Chirk's gardens are smaller than many, but still of interest, especially the 170-year-old topiary, some of the most extensive we've seen.
A first for us: crenellated hedges |
Nice little coves |
The formal gardens all going strong |
We never ever miss Sweet Peas |
It was the next to last week of school, so there were several classes of kiddies on tour |
Neat place, Chirk |
Chirk Castle, 2
Continuing our visit to Chirk Castle, in Wales...
May have been used as the model for Sauron; note pointy toes |
1930s comfy room, where luminaries like Gershwin and Cole Porter were entertained |
Genealogical scroll (facsimile) |
Deeds, etc. |
Down-cycling: top part of fireplace had been a head-board |
Library |
Courtyard |
Not comfy chairs |
In the original kitchen, now the site's tea room |
In the less improved portion of the castle |
Thus |
In the servants' dining room; note the little beer barrel on wheels |
House Rules |
Chirk Castle, 1
We liked Chirk Castle. It was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer for Edward I, part of the chain of great castles stretching across northern Wales, to keep the Welsh in order. Chirk is not as large nor defensively complex as the others. But it is not merely a ruins as most of the others are. The Myddleton family bought the castle in 1593, and slowly converted it into a residence and then a great house and gardens. It came to the Trust only in 2004, so its rooms and decor are an excellent example of National Trustick...medieval here, Tudor there, Georgian or Victorian here, 1930s somewhere else. There's a rationale, and it works in these houses that have been lived in, often by the same families, for centuries. Chirk is a great example.
Original Myddleton owner |
Beautiful long hall; a necessity in the times |
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