Kristine Hughes – Page 55 – Number One London

THE WELLINGTON CONNECTION: STRAWBERRY HILL

From the Journal of Mrs. Arbuthnot, July 8, 1822

Went to see Strawberry Hill with the Duke of Wellington, Lady G. Fane, my two girls and some men; it is a curious place, very much in the state in which it was left by Horace Walpole, very dull and shews a good deal of bad taste; but still I should have liked to have had more time to examine it. There are some curious pictures and statues in the house, the grounds are not particularly pretty and not well kept. We returned to Richmond to dinner and came back, as we went, by water. The day was beautiful and the banks of the river between Richmond and Twickenham are like fairy land.

Vicky has also visited and there are several posts on Strawberry Hill from the past; you can find them using the Search This Blog box located in the left hand sidebar.

VIDEO WEDNESDAY

INSIDE NATURE’S GIANTS: THE HORSE

There is perhaps no creature more beautiful than the horse, nor a creature that has done so much to change the way humans live. In this episode of Inside Nature’s Giants, the history and evolution of the thoroughbred horse is explored – the thoroughbred on the track, at labor and in war.

Also explored is just how the horse is able to run at such speeds and to maintain such stamina. How is the horse engineered? The physical make up of the horse is deconstructed to answer these and other questions. Did you know that a horses’ hoof is actually its’ finger?

If you love horses, if you write about horses, if you’re awed by the beauty and power of the horse, I recommend that you watch this hour long documentary.

Warning: Graphic content – portions of this documentary depict the deconstruction of a horse for purposes of anatomical explanation. If such a thing can be termed “tasteful,” this demonstration qualifies. At all times, the animal is treated with respect, and awe, by the veterinary surgeons, anatomists and pathologists performing the operation.

You can watch the video here.

THE WELLINGTON TOUR – MEMORY LANE

In light of the upcoming Duke of Wellington Tour, I’ve been wandering down Memory Lane in anticipation of the fun ahead. No matter how many times I return to England, I’m always excited to be returning. Each visit creates new memories and each tour establishes new friendships. Here are just a few of my fondest memories:

New Year’s Eve in London with my daughter, Brooke

Crossing Millenium Bridge

Riverside at the Tower

Catching a glimpse of the Queen at Windsor Castle with Victoria and Hester

In the back of an Edinburgh cab – we couldn’t understand a word the cabbie said!

Viewing the Art and Love Exhibition with Victoria at the Queen’s Gallery

Bucolic splendour in the English countryside

Touring the English countryside

Victoria and I being treated to a view of the annual Naked Bike Ride whilst

minding our own business at Apsley House

Dinner with our tour group on the Coaching Tour

Finding this Staffordshire figurine of the Duke at a shop in Cecil Court

Mudlarking on the River Thames

Unexpectedly coming face to face with Prince Charles wearing full dress uniform

in the Mall. Really. He was wearing the uniform, not me.

And what is one of my most treasured memories, highwaymen holding up author Diane Gaston at Belvoir Castle during the Coaching Tour. Diane has signed up for The Duke of Wellington Tour in September – we can’t wait to start the journey and make new memories. Won’t you join us and be a part of it all?

SPACE ON THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TOUR IS LIMITED –

RESERVE YOUR PLACE NOW!

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TOUR – VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS – WINDSOR

Upon arrival in Windsor, our tour group will be checking in to the Mercure Windsor Castle Hotel, where Hubby and I stayed two years ago. The hotel looks out upon Windsor Castle, the rooms are gorgeous, the bar is lined with windows and is supremely atmospheric and there’s a portrait of the Duke of Wellington just off the lobby. What could be more perfect? As regular readers of this blog will know, Windsor will always mean our dear friend Hester Davenport for myself and Victoria. Windsor is a wonderful town – just the right size, full of history – even Hubby loved it during our tour to England two Decembers ago. Here is a lovely, four minute video featuring highlights in Windsor.

Windsor is filled with great sights, including the Guildhall and Crooked House above, Peascod Street, the playing fields of Eton and the River Thames, upon which we’ll be ending our tour of Windsor with a boat cruise on the River.

Watch scenes from a river cruise here.

We shall also be touring Frogmore House, above, which has been used a royal retreat for three hundred years. You can watch a short video of the Prince of Wales and the royal librarian discussing artistic contributions to Frogmore House made by the daughters of King George III here. You can visit the official website for Frogmore House here and read about it’s history and collections.

And finally, you can watch a short video of the sort of pomp and circumstance Windsor does so well. This is the procession for the Irish State Visit, but there’s a regular changing of the guard that we may be fortunate enough to see whilst we’re there.

Find Complete Details for the Duke of Wellington Tour here.

VIDEO WEDNESDAY – DOWNSTAIRS AT DOWNTON ABBEY

Mrs. Patmore and her staff in the kitchen at Downton Abbey

By now, everyone knows that most of the “upstairs” family life depicted on Downton Abbey is shot on location at Highclere Castle. Today we take a tour with Alastair Bruce of the set at the Ealing Studios used for filming the “downstairs” scenes. (4 mins.)

In this video, the cast discusses dining downstairs at Downton (2 mins,)

An American news crew goes behind the scenes at Downton Abbey (3:51 mins.)

The “servants” explain their daily duties below stairs at Downton Abbey (3:52 mins.)

Downton’s dress secrets are revealed in this video featuring the costume department (3:35 mins.)