'Amazing Grace'

Sunday 11th November is the 100th anniversary commemorating the end of WWl when we remember all of those who were injured or lost their lives in 1918.

 Grace, however, is no war hero, in fact, she despises war and hopes that it will never darken our lives again, but she is keeper of unique memories.

She aptly 'favours' her name being dignified, fair of face, and eloquent.

She was born in Liverpool, but has spent most of her life living here in the Cotswolds. She was brought up by her father as her mother died when she was four years old. She had an elder brother, whom she recalls was a handsome boy with a fine shock of fair hair. When she was 7 years old he left home to live in Australia but she never saw him again. He joined the Anzacs and was killed in action at Gallipoli along with over 8,000 Australian soldiers.

She can remember the day war ended 100 years ago when everyone came out onto the streets singing and dancing. She said that you could do that then as there were very few vehicles driving along the roads.

However, 4 years earlier, an 8 year old Grace learnt that the war had started whilst she was attending school, and vividly recalls wives and mothers crying as they bid farewell to their husbands and sons.

'Amazing Grace', as she is known to her friends is 112 years old, and is the oldest person living in this country. She has experienced the reign of five monarchs and 21 prime ministers. She has seen the outbreak and resolution of two world wars, and lived through the time of the Russian Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, and all three London Olympics.

When she was born, Grace could have been expected to live until the age of 54. Men had a lower life expectancy of 48. 

In 1906 the most common cause of death was due to infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia until the discovery of antibiotics in 1929.

Grace still takes a keen interest in how she looks and what she wears and has her hair done every week. 

Grace conveys an aura of calmness and serenity.
The above photo of Grace was taken last September on her 112th birthday

"To The Manor Reborn"

May be you saw the Avebury Manor restoration programme on the BBC presented by Penelope Keith and Paul Martin - the title in this post is a reference to Penelope Keith's appearance in the 1970s sitcome "To the Manor Born".
Avebury Manor began life as a small medieval Benedictine priory sited within the famous Neolithic stone circle, but was converted into a manor house during the middle of the c16th. 
When the National Trust acquired the house it was in a bad state of neglect and very few of the original contents remained in situ. The NT curators had been wondering how to tackle the interiors when they were approached by the BBC who came up with the idea of doing a restoration programme.

I didn't watch the programme and had ambivalent feelings about the idea of recreating the interiors. However, it did involved the expertise of many skilled craftspeople including furniture makers, artists, together with carpet and fabric designers.  The traditional Chinese wallpaper was inspired by surviving antique examples, and handpainted by Chinese craftspeople from Fromental in Jiangsu province. Having now visited the manor I realise that it does cater to all ages and gives a very relaxed family outing. There are no off limits, you can sit on the chairs, open the draws, read the books, or try on the tudor clothes - only the handpainted wallpaper is out of bounds - mainly the interior has been given an authentic appearance but there are some witty touches too. 

If you look carefully at the Chinese wallpaper a reference to Avebury itself can be found showing the manor, the stones, and in the center Sir Adam Williamson who inherited the manor in 1789. He was a well travelled man taking part in the capture of both Louisberg and Quebec from the French. He went to Jamaica where he became the Governor General.

I could happily have taken this seat home - it would sit comfortably in either a traditional or a contemporary setting

The 1930s Art Deco style shown in this room reflects the period when the house was owned by Alexander Keiller. His private income came from his family's former business, the Keillers of Dundee marmalade and confectionary company

The kitchen reflects the early c20th - Britain was on the brink of war, the Suffragette movement was in full swing and the Titanic sank on her maiden voyage   

The Tudor Parlour with its newly handmade replica oak furniture represents the wealth of the owners at that time, William and Mary Dunch. From modest beginnings William became an important and influential man who was close to Queen Elizabeth I

Late afternoon sunbeams played through the large stone mullion windows

The final room represents Queen Anne's Chamber - the replica bed is a copy of the State Bed which can be seen in Dyrham Park. 
It is not known whether or not Queen Anne actually stayed at Avebury - the only evidence is heresay by a servant saying that "our Queen Anne dined here"

Poor Queen Anne was plagued by ill health throughout her life, and from her thirties she grew increasingly lame and obese. She had 18 children from 17 pregnancies in 17 years (1684-1700). Despite all of these pregnancies when she died at the age of 49 years in 1714 she had no surviving children and was the last monarch of the House of Stuart.

Arriving home, flocks of migrating birds flying in 'V' formation passed overhead at the start of their long journey south to new feeding grounds,

and the sun slipped away for another day

"Mind the Gap!"

On a beautiful morning this week, we left our hilltop eyrie, parked the car, and walked down into the valley

past the old canal and 

  under the viaduct that carries the trains to London

H travels to London regularly doing consultancy work, but it is sometime since I was last in town. We owned a pied-à-terre in Pimlico when he worked for the UN. He would often be there during the week - I spent time there too. It was a place we both enjoyed staying in until our boys went to university, and then they kind of took it over!!! 
London has changed almost beyond recognition, lots of new contemporary architecture, old buildings have been cleaned and spruced up, there were many visitors enjoying the warm sunshine.

The poppy installation at the Tower of London, flows all around the 11th century moat and 'bleeds' from one of the tower's bastion windows.  It has and is attracting huge numbers of people from around the globe

It is 100 years since the outbreak of WWl and each poppy represents a British military death. By Remembrance Day on the 11/11/14 the last of the 888,246 hand-made poppies will have been placed in this ever evolving art installation - the next day the task of dismantling will commence.

When entering the Tower of London in King Edward l's reign (1272-1307) bravery was required. Passing under the fortified gate towers which were defended by archers, you might have heard the roar of lions as you crossed the causeways and drawbridges that spanned the water filled moat. 
Where these lions stand today are the ruins of the first drawbridge pit which led to Lion Tower. Big cats were still visible at the Tower until 1832 when they were finally removed to the new London Zoo in Regent's Park. When archaeologists excavated the pit in 1936 they found the skulls of medieval lions which were over 600 years old.

We were very keen to cross the Millenium Bridge designed by Sir Anthony Caro - Anthony's family were acquainted with H's family in Surrey when he was still at school

Just time to visit the Liberty shop

I always take the lift straight up to the top floor and browse the original Arts and Crafts furniture made by many collectible craftsmen such as Gimson, and the Barnsley Brothers, Archibald Knox and C.R Ashbee silver, Wm de Morgan pottery, and Wm Morris tapestries - it is like being in a museum, except that all the items are for sale. They also have one off pieces of contemporary furniture, glass, pottery, and silver made by up and coming young designers that I like to see

Looking up to the top floor in the atrium 

and then down 
Channel 4 were filming another Liberty documentary series. I remember seeing their Christmas Shop on the programme last year, but was shocked to see it was already in full swing, and what is more, people were buying. I am still in holiday mood, definitely Christmas is not on my mind

  glimpses of what the best dressed trees will be wearing

Perhaps I should explain the title of this post to those who have not visited London. As you alight from any tube-train "Mind the Gap!" announcements are made by a disembodied voice, an important warning to heed