Sunday 31 December 2017

Sunday–New Years Eve–LEWES/Brighton

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New Years Eve!

And a visit to the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and is is absolutely pissing down ,,, raining rather heavily.

Yes,,,, that is Graham (below) holding our umbrellas while I take a photo in the rain… (mine is the zebra and pink number in case you couldn't guess).

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I think the rain is even worse than the cold, because your pant legs get wet and take ages to dry.

The furry pom pom on my woolly hat filled up like a sponge, and when I shook it water sprayed everyway (mostly all over Grahams glasses and I wasn't aiming). Reminded me of Miss Lizzy after a bath.

I wonder how many people decide to emigrate on days like today?

Anyway…

Below is how the Royal Pavilion should look

– thank you Mr Google…

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The Royal Pavilion, also known as the Brighton Pavilion, is a Grade I listed former royal residence located in Brighton, England. Beginning in 1787, it was built in three stages as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, who became the Prince Regent in 1811. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style prevalent in India for most of the 19th century. The current appearance of the Pavilion, with its domes and minarets, is the work of architect John Nash, who extended the building starting in 1815 (Wikipedia)

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And I couldn't take inside photos!!!!

They are banned! POO!

Really, (she says with hands on hips),, get with the 21st century Royal Pavilion people.

Anyway,  pinched these photos from the internet. *blush*

The one above is the amazing lights in the music room.

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And these are the Banqueting room with the most amazing chandelier with a dragon hanging off it.

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OMG – the royal family would be run out of town if they spent this much money on a pleasure palace.

But it is very beautiful.

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So what other excitement did we have for NYE 2017.

We hung the woolly hats out to dry,  had a curry and watched the London Fireworks on the telly and went to sleep.

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Saturday 30 December 2017

Oxford to Lewes– Friday

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So we had a lovely night and The Randolph and an expensive but yummy meal.

Didn't meet either John Thaw or the Inspector Morse creator Colin Dexter…

AS they are both dead!

But below is when they weren't dead posing outside the Randolph.

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Colin often has a cameo in episodes of Morse (and some in Lewis and Endeavour as well).

Dear Readers, what fun! If you would also like to plays ‘Where’s Colin’ here is a link to a cheat sheet.

http://www.crime4u.com/morendfivepeigha.html 

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Below is the Morse Bar, named due to its numerous appearances in the novels and TV episodes.

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And then on the road again.

Off to Lewes. We did try to stay at Brighton but Lewes is cheaper, quieter and just is 9 miles out of Brighton.

Living like the locals as we got  caught in a tailback on the M25.

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Oxford and Blenheim Palace – Friday

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A lot of lovely photos to share from today Dear Readers so please bear with me…

You know I always like a good Palace and I have been wanting to go to Blenheim Palace for YEARS.

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Firstly, it is absolutely perishing cold, it is bitter and bone chilling! Its snowing in other places in the UK,  but probably too cold for snow here..

Blenheim Palace is about a 15minute drive from Oxford.

Blenheim Palace is a monumental English country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. It is the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705 and circa 1722. Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The building of the palace was originally intended to be a reward to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from a grateful nation for the duke's military triumphs against the French and Bavarians during the War of the Spanish Succession, culminating in the 1704 Battle of Blenheim. However, soon after its construction began, the palace became the subject of political infighting; this led to Marlborough's exile, the fall from power of his duchess, and lasting damage to the reputation of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh. (Wikipedia)

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The palace was all decked out in its Christmas decs. This is the green drawing room with a 24 carat gold ceiling.

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And the dining table is set for Christmas dinner..

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The long Library which also has an organ, which was being played while we were there..

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… and some lovely  painted ceilings.

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Graham found one of his favourite things, model soldiers.

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And Dear Readers, its again  time to play…

Spot the Doggie!

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Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill. He was born during a ball in the ladies cloakroom.

This was his grandparents house, his grandfather was the 7th Duke of Marlborough, as his father was the second son it was his cousin that was the 8th Duke. But being his family home he spent a lot of time here, proposed to his wife here and is buried in the local village church.

Funny that one of the families most famous figures wasn't one of the Dukes…

Oh!  Princess Diana is also related to the Spencer-Churchill family.

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below is the room that was used for the cloak room where he was born

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Then we braved the elements for a walk in the famous grounds and gardens that were designed by Capability Brown

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And… look at this lovely photo below.. My old faithful Canon camera has struggled with the cold this trip, is getting very slow to focus and occasionally the lens sticks… But then it surprises me and produces lovely shots like this one… Clever thing!

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Now that I have showed you all the sensible bits I’ll have to share the non sensible bits.

Blenheim also has a tour that is automatic with models and holograph type thingy's!

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Led around by the maid of the first duchess, it was an insight to the gossip of how the dukes nearly sent the place bankrupt….

As we are leaving, families are still arriving to see the Christmas light show that they have on tonight. They must be tougher souls that us, we need to go and defrost. The milk has been okay in the car which is most likely colder inside than our fridge at home….

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Ahhhh, the romance of travel….

We are having a night at Oxfords premier Hotel, the Randolph.

But as it is 30 pounds to park the car in their car park we have had to come up with an alternate plan.

We have condensed our luggage and will leave most of it in the car. The car is going to one of the huge park and ride car parks which is about 5 miles out side the city. Two pounds to leave it there for 24 hours.

And we took the bus.

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Thursday 28 December 2017

Oxford–Thursday

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Finally some beautiful blue sky!

But don't let that deceive you Dear Readers, there was a big frost this morning and the puddles stayed icy all day.

And during our 2 hour walking tour our fingers and footsie's froze.

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We Visited Trinity College and the Trinity chapel. No students at the moment as its the Christmas break.

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… and some bored scholars have graffiti-ed the pew,,,, as you do…

Then we looked at Radcliffe Square and the Radcliffe camera, the camera is the reading room for the Bodleian Library.

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and finally on our tour we visited the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

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After lunch, and a visit to the Alice Shop, with items to do with Alice in Wonderland, (yes I bought you something Eadie, but it might be special and has to live at Kimba's) we took a stroll through the grounds of Christ Church College.

Then we visited the Bodleian Library, the Weston campus—there are lots of different branches of the Bodleian..

From King Alfred to Chaucer: first graphic designers of english texts celebrated in new Bodleian Libraries exhibition

The origins of early English graphic design are explored in a new exhibition opening at the Bodleian Libraries' Weston Library.

Designing English: Graphics on the Medieval Page, open from 1 December 2017, brings together a stunning selection of manuscripts and other objects to uncover the craft and artistry of Anglo-Saxon and medieval scribes, painters and engravers.

http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

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And to cross something off my ‘bucket list’ we went for dinner at the Eagle and Child pub. (AKA Bird and Baby and also features in Morse and its spin offs).

This is where the group the  ‘Inklings’ would meet to share their yet to be finished works. This group included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

The Inklings was an informal literary discussion group associated with the University of Oxford, England, for nearly two decades between the early 1930s and late 1949.The Inklings were literary enthusiasts who praised the value of narrative in fiction and encouraged the writing of fantasy. (Wikipedia)

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…. And, Dear Readers, it was a disappointing disaster, the kitchen was closed, the menu was pretty crap anyway and the only seat was near the toilet… and it was cold…

So we left and went elsewhere!

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But!

My Beloved has a surprise!

He has booked the plush Randolph Hotel for tomorrow night and we are going to spoil ourselves!

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