We stayed at a really quaint ironstone built 16th century inn, having exposed beams, flagstone floors, and a steep winding stairway.
Hollyhocks - Delphiniums & Martagon Lilies
Visited some grand country houses
We fell in love with Farnborough Hall with its beautiful interior of exquisite plasterwork, and wonderful stairway topped by a stained glass dome. The house is built in the Carolean style, a style that became popular in
England during the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 under Charles II
until the late 1680s. Although this property was less than 10 miles from the ironstone built inn we stayed at in Warwickshire, this property is built of the golden stone commonly seen in Oxfordshire.
One of the other properties visited had a first class gallery filled with many fine paintings, and some of great reknown.
Hieronymus Bosch - The Adoration of the Magi (Triptych)
We were very excited to see three flocks of Skylarks - Alauda arvensis, especially so as the Skylark now sits on the UK Red List. They are one of our most celebrated birds, in literature, poetry, art and music.
We were having a picnic down a narrow country lane, and were greatly entertained by a Hobby - Falco subbuteo darting backwards and forwards across the meadow as it caught insects and dragonflies on the wing. Apparently there is good news re: Hobbies, as the population has grown significantly due, it is thought, to the UK's warming climate.
Tasty tempters for blogs yet to come I hope. We are so lucky to live on an island so full of interesting places to visit.
ReplyDeleteWe found little villages that we had never even heard of before - wander down any narrow country lane, and arrive in a place that time appears to have completely forgot.
DeleteYou obviously had a fine time on your travels and I am looking forward to seeing more. Thanks especially for the picture of the magnificent Hobby, nature’s guided missile!
ReplyDeleteWe throughly enjoyed watching the Hobby feasting whilst we too indulged ourselves on artisan made bread & local cheese.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful holiday! Thanks for showing us your beautiful photos -- looking forward to the next instalment!
ReplyDeletePleased you enjoyed Debra.
DeleteHello Rosemary, You always pack so much beauty and history into your trips. Farnborough Hall is a handsome building--I just looked up some more photos of it. Looking forward to your grand revelation.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Farnborough Hall was a real gem, and although now in the hands of the National Trust, it is still occupied and administered by members of the Holbech family who have lived there since 1687.
DeleteThat's one thing I noticed about the UK when I visited Australia. It has world class scenery but it's far apart with not much of interest in-between. As this post shows one of the wonders of Europe is its marvelous age, complexity of cultures and its incredibly varied terrain, accents, climate and history within a small area. You only fully appreciate it when you leave then come back. We are really lucky.
ReplyDeleteOur entire journey from home to there and back took us through wonderful little hamlets, villages, and beautiful market towns.
DeleteWhat a wonderful holiday and with fine weather.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has been fine for weeks and weeks, but we desperately need rain.
DeleteWelcome back Rosemary. Lovely flowers in bloom.
ReplyDeleteThe early summer flowers are always a delight, lots and lots of colour.
DeleteThe outside of Farnborough Hall looks fantastic, perfectly symmetrical with large windows and golden stone walls. But where did the family get the Hieronymus Bosch painting, The Adoration of the Magi?
ReplyDeleteThe Adoration of the Magi was from another property visited which I will write about later. However, Farnborough Hall had five wonderful Canaletto paintings which were purchased by one of the Holbech family at some stage. All five had to be sold to pay death duties in the 1920's, but five wonderful copies now sit in their place which were painted by an amazing Chinese painter for them.
DeleteIncidentally that is just a side view of Farnborough Hall - the front and back are even better.
Dear Rosemary, anybody fortunate enough to roam around Britain with you and J would be amazed at all you would be able to show them and teach them! Everything so lovely here in your always beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteBob thanks you for the kind birthday greeting for the 5th - we've had what can only be called a hectic but fun week! This weekend we are crashing and catching up around the house. Garden so dry and hoping for rain later today when storms pass through.
Hugs and love, Mary
My dear Mary - same here, but luckily today the lawn mower chap arrived and now we have had a good splash of rain so luckily no need to water the garden this evening. Glad you have had a fun week.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to discover new things to admire in your travels about the country. Farnborough Hall looks so interesting. Picnicking with birds sounds delightful. I look forward to further blogs about your trip.
We really loved Farnbrough Hall especially as it was smaller in scale than many grand properties. It was as a really beautiful home both inside and out.
DeleteLovely photos as always! I get such vicarious pleasure from your posts! I am always eager to hear details like the kind of stone used and why it is different.... we have such different rock over on this side of the pond! And that Bosch painting! WOW! I am a fan of anything Medieval and he is one of my favorite artists, albeit, Late Medieval. Such stunning brush work, and always so filled with meaning. Yes, it is good to be home after wandering far or near. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Daydreamer - I am greatly touched by your kind comment - thank you.
DeleteHow lovely! Beautiful! I just love every pictures...
ReplyDeleteTitti
Thank you so much Titti - hope all is well with you💚
DeleteI share your love of home after being away for a while. Sounds like we enjoy very similar things on our travels away. B x
ReplyDeleteLike minded is good to know, that's why I like your blog.
DeleteNice to see you again, Rosemary, back from your nice trip off the beaten track safe, refreshed and satisfied. I’m familiar a little with Oxford Canal as I've loved seeing the stories as well as the landscape in Oxford Mystery (Lewis and Hathaway). I love Skylarks, too, but what I see here seems to be different from European ones. I can almost feel your heart-beat about the coming celebration and am excited, too, wondering what it is.
ReplyDeleteYoko
That is the European Skylark Yoko. Maybe the small crest is confusing you. It normally lies flat but can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed.
DeleteSo beautiful, dear Rosemary! The yellow stones of the buildings where you live I prefer - in Northern Germany we have a lot of red brick, though not as old as the ironstone, but also dark.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at your narrow boat I become infatuated and think back - the friend who organised ours spoke of doing another trip (maybe) next year - I think of joining in.
I hope your festivities were beautiful, and wish you all the best. Britta
Thanks Britta - we have both been having some really happy times with members of our family.
DeleteThe flowers are a particular delight.
ReplyDeleteMid summer flowers are a delight to see, but I wish that they would not come and go so quickly.
DeleteSo beautiful! What a lovely trip! I enjoy every picture...
ReplyDeleteHave a sweet Sunday :)
Titti
💚
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