Washington Old Hall

In the heart of Washington village, located near the north east coast of England, is Washington Old Hall. It stands as a testimony to Anglo-American friendship. 

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This charming Hall is an historic landmark with links to the first US President, George Washington. The house predominantly dates from the 17th century but still incorporates a large portion of the original 12th century building. It was once home to George Washington's ancestors and it is from here that they took the family name. By 1860 the house had slid down the social scale. It became a working class tenement for 70 years. During that time it was rented out with up to 35 people living in appalling conditions until 1930. It was due to be demolished in 1933 but was saved by Frederick Hill, a local School Master, who formed a preservation committee to protect it.

It is a place of pilgrimage for many visitors from across the pond, and every year on the 4th July they hold a special Independence Day ceremony.

The manor house and its pretty jacobean gardens provide a tranquil oasis.

There is plenty of box topiary hedging within the garden including this beautifully manicured woven feature.

The central hall within the manor house

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George Washington by Rembrandt Peale - 1850 

George Washington, the first president of the US, was born in 1732 to Captain Augustine Washington and Mary Ball. 

Captain Washington was a direct descendant of Colonel John Washington who emigrated to Virginia from England in 1656.

John was a descendant of William de Hertburn, who acquired the original dwelling on the site of the Old Hall around 1183.

The house stayed within the Washington family until 1613 when it was sold to the Bishop of Durham.

A May Day in Oxford

Cercis siliquastrum - Judas Tree

Aesculus hippocastanum - Horse chestnut

Syringa vulgaris 'Congo" - a rich purple single Lilac

 'Baby blue' skies over head and Oxford's trees were blooming as

we make our way to the Sheldonian Theatre. 

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1664 for the University of Oxford and the venue for granddaughter's degree ceremony

Following graduation in the Sheldonian, the students await the departure of the Deans and Professors, doffing their caps as tradition dictates when they leave. Then its off to their various colleges for a celebration lunch together with members of their immediate family

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Dining Hall at Keble - granddaughter's college

How can it be that our much loved and adorable first born grandchild has grown up so very quickly

to become the lovely young woman that we are all so proud of?

Congratulations dear granddaughter - it was a memorable and special family day

Tarr Steps, Exmoor

Late January, and nodding snowdrops greet us in Dulverton, Somerset. We were fortunate, at this time of year the flowers could have been hidden under a layer of snow.  

Dulverton lies on the southern edge of Exmoor's National Park - Europe's first International Dark Skies Reserve. Tucked in at the entrance to a deeply wooded valley Dulverton is known for its close location to a pre-historic clapper bridge called Tarr Steps 

Many are the folk tales surrounding this ancient river crossing some of which talk of the Devil himself

Canoeing is allowed downstream of Tarr Steps only between mid October and the end of March when water levels are high. Upstream it is not allowed at any time to prevent disturbing developing fish eggs. Curiously, as can be observed from these photos, downstream of Tarr Steps the River Barle is rough and fast, whereas upstream it is shallow and calm. 

A sure-foot is required when crossing this ancient scheduled monument, understood to date back as far as 1000 BC

The water eddies around the supporting stones then gurgles merrily on its journey beneath the clapper bridge 

Close by the steps are burial mounds of Bronze Age men - did they use this same crossing point in the river?

The surrounding woodland is mainly Oak, Beech, Ash, Sycamore, and Hazel which was once coppiced to provide charcoal for the local iron smelting industry. It is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest abounding in wildlife - Red Deer, Dormice, the rare Barbastelle Bat along with Otters that feed along this unpolluted fast flowing river

Atlantic salmon that hatch in the River Barle, may journey as far away as Greenland before returning years later to spawn. For rivers to be suitable for salmon they need unpolluted, cool, well oxygenated water along with clean gravel on the riverbed for spawning, these are exactly the conditions that are found in this river.

The steeply banked very narrow country lanes in this area were all impressively maintained. The grassy banks were trimmed and the hedgerows atop were neatly cut ready to greet the forthcoming spring.

Is Spring Around the Corner?

So far it's been a funny old winter. There will be a couple of wet, chilly, grey days followed by a day of brilliant blue skies when it actually feels quite mild in the sun.

Berries remain untouched by the birds

Garrya elliptica - Silk Tassel Bush makes a pleasing addition in my winter garden

Grow the male bush it has superior tassels up to 8 inches long which gently swing to and fro in the breeze

Snowdrops are in bud

  Hellebores emerge from their sleep

soft early morning frost rapidly disperses into sparkling clusters of crystals 

The January sun

invites brisk walks through the countryside

 but there is a cautionary message at this time of the year - snow could still be on its way!

In praise of the lemon♥

l  for lemon  +  l  for love  = lemon love♥    

lemon trees - Sicily 2012

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What could be better than the juice of a lemon added to salad dressings, drizzled over fish and pancakes too? Chop some tarragon add lemon juice and pour over chicken before roasting to enhance the flavour and

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  then imagine a delicious slice of lemon meringue pie? 

"When life gives you lemons" - make marmalade!

A bowl of lemon slices with Verbena leaves 

Top of my list in "duty free" is the fragrance of Citrus Verbena by L'Occitane en Provence. 

Picture a warm summer evening strolling in the hills of Provence surrounded by the aromatic scent of wild Verbena then add a twist of citrus from freshly picked lemons - a delicious summer fragrance all wrapped up in a bottle - spritz generously and enjoy.

(this is my personal choice I am not endorsing this product) 

 a refreshing glass of iced water topped off with lemon 

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Small slices of sunshine

The three old copper engravings were done by Johann C. Volckamer published in Nuremberg during 1708-14. They are from Volckamer's Nurmbergische Hesperides. Most of the engravings in the Hesperides are devoted to citrus fruits which are positioned above views of gardens and palaces in Germany, Austria and Italy. They are a unique and delightful combination of botanical illustration and landscape.

Greys Court

The de Grey family came over from France with William the Conqueror in 1066. First mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 Greys Court lies at the head of a tranquil Chilterns valley in Oxfordshire.  

The current mansion dates from the 16th century but walking around the grounds reveals a patchwork of history going back to the 11th century

The house was given to the National Trust by Sir Felix and Lady Brunner who bought Greys Court in 1937.  The house is still full of family possessions so no photographs are allowed inside.

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However, I discovered this photo on the internet. It shows the interior of the room with the large elegant bow window, image above, which was added to the Tudor wing during the Georgian period - the room has exquisite 18th century plaster work

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and this photo of the delightful kitchen with its pretty pink breakfast table and chairs

The remains of the original medieval building built by the de Grey family resembles a romantic folly in the garden

Arbutus andrachnoides "Cinnamon Bark Tree"

A small walled courtyard dominated by the original Norman Great Tower

At the side of the house is an intriguing donkey wheel which dates from the 16th century and was in use right up until 1914

The 19 foot diameter wheel is the largest to survive in England 

The donkey drew water from the well for the house.  The 12th century well is 200 feet deep and would have been laboriously dug by hand.

The platform inside the wheel where the donkey walked

As the donkey walked and the wheel turned a container was pulled up from the well where it then caught on an iron hook before tipping water into the tank overhead

Greys Court is a cross country journey to Reading. The Brunner family kept a herd of Guernsey cows. H's father managed a pedigree herd of Guernsey cows which he would take to auction at Reading Market. Is it possible that some of H's father's cows could have ended up at Greys Court, they are a very rare breed of cattle?

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Towers and walls overlooking the valley from the 11th century revealing a habitation and legacy that has lasted for a thousand years