Blenheim Palace

Today we went to Blenheim Palace, wonderful indeed.

Libery of London / V&A Museum

Today we walked about town. Visiting the lovely and old Liberty of London store was a highlight. They had many of the modern furniture pieces we learned about on display. They had lovely furnishings and fabrics for sale as well as everything else. The building is old and tudor in style with a large opening in the middle where you can look up the five stories. Very expensive but neat to look. We also visiting the V&A again so I could do some more sketches.

Kensington Palace

Laid back day. Stayed in bed later to try to get over this bad cold. We went to Kensington Palace which was a let down after seeing so many amazing private great homes. The first floor did have a wonderful exhibit about Diana including her last photo shoot as she prepared to auction off her gowns for charity -- she really was beautiful.

Walk about London / Stella McCartney and other great shops

Today we took it easy. We did walk for hours and went into Stella McCartney's store and walked by many other expensive retail establishments. Not too much else.

Cambridge / Punting / Church decorated by William Morris / Kings College Chapel / Fitzwilliam Museum

We trained and walked the two miles into Cambridge. We broke up into two groups. We were taken to an old church that William Morris decorated; it had various levels of different patterns that he had stencilled on the walls. William Morris was also the creator of several of the stained glass windows and put his face in one of them.

We toured Kings College Chapel which took a hundred years to build over the reign of 5 kings. The first king started in a simpler style. It has the best example of fanned ceilings in europe. Cornwall stationed himself in Cambridge and since he stabled his horses and men in the chapel during the winter they did not destroy the glass, they just painted over it so it was all recovered later. There is some grafitti on the walls from his men.

We went to the delightful Fitzwilliam Museum which we only saw a small portion of. Worth a visit.

Then we went punting on the Cam. Cambridge is named after the river Cam and then a bridge that was built over it. Cambridge the university is made up of 31 separate colleges each with their own history and money.

Old Hardwick Hall / Hardwick Hall / Haddon Hall

Today we trained to Chesterfield and then took a coach to Old Hardwick Hall and Hardwick Hall. Old Hardwick Hall is only a few years older than Hardwick Hall; but was left to ruin as the new house was built. They have covered and restored a set of stairs so you can walk up the old building and see how great it must have been. Harwick Hall is amazing too, it has much of its interior intact and was fun to tour.

Haddon Hall was my favorite. It still has its old midevil kitchen intact and seems so much older and quaint than other buildings we have visited. They filmed the Inn scenes from Pride and Prejudice here as well as some scenes from Princess Bride. Also the last two Jane Eyre films were made here.

Wilton House/Mompesson House/Salisbury Cathedral

Fabulous day, we went to Wilton House it was beautiful. We then went to Salisbury and toured Mompesson House which we found out was where they filmed Sense and Sensibility. Then we toured Salisbury Cathedral including the rafters tour which took you up MANY stairs into the roof and tower.