Writing

Niedzica- a castle and a legend

A haunted castle?

In broad daylight, with the sun beaming down, I was not at all aware that I was approaching a haunted castle. Yet the setting for Niedzica Castle was well nigh perfect.

Perched high on a cliff above the Dunajec River, for centuries this castle was a border post with Hungary. Erected around 1325, the castle changed hands numerous times but the owners remained Hungarian right up to the middle of World War II. In 1412 it was the venue for a loan from Hungary to the Polish king, using 16 Spis (towns in the region of Slovakia) as collateral. The towns had to be returned once the loan was repaid. The last Hungarian countess left with her children in 1943, just two years before the arrival of the Red Army.

The castle on its lofty promontory

The courtyard clock

Curves in the courtyard

Climbing the stairs to the battlements

Looking down on the curvaceous roofs

They are quite fascinating, these roofs, aren’t they, and I have been trying to establish their exact purpose. My husband insists that they are built that way to prevent snow lingering on them, and he may well be correct. His basis for thinking so is a programme we watched about Yellowstone, where roofs had to be cleared by hand to remove the weight of the snow. I haven’t been able to find evidence, so I’ll just say that he’s usually right.

A little history!

A family crest

And another

A third!

A fourth!

And one more

Furnishings bring the castle to life

With warm drapes around the bed

The chapel feels strange and full of shadows

And another colourful history

The faded lithograph looks creepy indeed!

And so we come to the ghost story. One of the castle’s many owners, Sebastian Berzeviczy, travelled to the New World in the 18th century. Legend has it that he fell in love with an Inca princess. Their daughter, Umina, married one of the Incan rebels who was subsequently executed by the Spanish. Umina fled to Niedzica with her son and father, allegedly taking with them some sacred scrolls and Inca treasure. Umina was later murdered outside the castle, presumably by a treasure hunter. She now roams the castle as the “White Lady” to protect her gold. The castle has 35 suites so, if you fancy a little ghost hunting, it could be a good place to stay.

Time to get out on the battlements for a little fresh air!

The views are breathtaking

Looking down on a forest of chimneys

And out across Lake Czorsztyn

In 1994 the lake was dammed downstream of the castle, creating an artificial reservoir, Lake Czorsztyn. The castle now stands approximately 30 metres above the upper water level. Stalls alongside the dam sell grilled smoked cheese for a snack, or to take away, with local honey and crafts. The smells are so appetising!

Looking out across the dam

Can you see the snowy peaks in the distance?

Beside the lake all is calm, with the ruins of Czorsztyn over the water

You may remember that I was across the lake at Czorsztyn Castle in my Tatry Mountains post.

The fortress was renovated almost every time it changed hands, but the final reconstruction was completed by the Polish Ministry of Culture in 1963. It has served as a historical museum ever since.

So, what did you think of Niedzica? Will you be checking in any time soon? I know that my friend Paula loves the mountain scenery and I would like to share this on her Thursday’s Special. I hope she’ll approve. I’m off there next to see what’s special about Thursday this week. Come with me, won’t you?

‘U’ is for Ula

Ula, ‘sparkling’ at her sister’s wedding

My neice Urszula, or Ula as she is always called at home, is the youngest of my cousin Adam’s three children. From the shy early teen she was in 2007, when first we met, Ula has blossomed into a beautiful and stylish young woman. Today is her 20th birthday and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish her ‘Happy Birthday’. Wszystkiego najlepszego na urodziny!

My Personal A-Z of Poland has taken me down many routes and shared many stories. Dad, along with millions of others, paid the price of a war torn Europe. His family was scattered far and wide, but for Dad there has been a belated happy ending. I’d like to share with you today a video that had tears streaming down my face, but which also ends joyfully.

Ann, or Gallivanta is a warm-hearted lady who is proud of her country, New Zealand. This week I received from her a link for my Jo’s Monday walk. It’s not strictly a walk but it is a very moving journey and I thought that it deserved a place here, alongside Dad’s story.

http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-story-of-seven-hundred-polish-children-1966

I know that it’s the kind of story that Frizz will find empathy with, and won’t mind me sharing it on his Tagged- U. I’d like to thank so many people for the love that is shared in our blogging world. I’m feeling quite emotional this morning and I think it’s time to go back to playing with Polish castles. Thanks also to Julie Dawn Fox for the personal A-Z challenge.

Jo’s Monday walk : Las Wolski and Bielany

The spires of Bielany above the tree line

The spires of Bielany monastery, above the tree line

Every time we drive out to Balice, Kraków’s airport, I can’t help but look skywards at Bielany monastery, high above the tree tops. On the last day of my recent visit, I finally achieved my ambition to see it up close. Well- the outing didn’t go quite to plan!

If you saw my Six word Saturday you’ll know that the day started damp and drizzly but, undeterred, my cousin Adam drove us out to the Las Wolski woods and deposited us there. My rainproof jacket was about to be tested again.

A long sweep of pebbly drive carried us upwards through dense greenery and opened out at a large car parking area. We had reached the zoo! At 10 in the morning nobody much was about- just one inquisitive red squirrel, who didn’t stop to chat. We debated what to do while the weather cleared, and the zoo seemed a reasonable option.

The path through the woods

Zoological gardens!

I don’t know that I expected to find elephants in the woods

But the meerkats were keeping a sharp lookout

While the peacocks performed a merry dance

But my out and out favourite was this fella

My out and out favourite was this shy fella

And his friends- messy eaters, aren’t they?

But great at posing!

The sun was breaking through in patches by the time we left the zoo. A map gave us a rough direction, so into the dappled sunlight and shade we went, full of hope. It was really just a case of follow your nose. At crossroads I always defer to Michael’s choice because I never get it right! It was a lovely woodland wander, but the clues were scarce.

Excuse the grafitti near Bielany! You are here?

Finding a clearing with a woodcutter busy at work, I dug into the phrase book for the Polish word for monastery- klasztor! It didn’t sound quite right, but the woodcutter wasn’t phased by a grinning idiot in the woods. He waved his saw in an uphill direction, which seemed to make sense. It definitely would be at the top of a hill.

And so it was! The sun was radiant by now and the photo opportunity had me skipping forward, camera at the ready.

The entrance to the monastery

Promising, isn’t it?

And in the doorway, even better!

The artwork was beautiful

In each alcove, a pictorial

Saints or sinners?

But the door was firmly closed!

Should I ring the bell?

The temptation was too great. By now, you know that Michael had retreated to a safe distance. He didn’t want to incur the wrath of the monks! A sign by the door gave the opening times, and it seemed the last tour was at 11.30. It was now 11.45! If only we’d walked faster, or not spent so long with those giraffes.

Tentatively, I rang the bell, and waited. And waited. No sound from behind the doors. Should I ring again? Michael’s expression, from far away, down the path, suggested not, but what the heck! I had my idiot English grin at the ready. Still- nothing! They must be deep in prayer within? I had to content myself with taking what photos I could from the grassy courtyard.

If only I could get closer!

It looked so intriguing!

But there was nothing else to do but make our way down to the road, and seek out a bus back to the centre. It was a glorious afternoon and we spent our final hours in Kraków by the river.

Arriving home at teatime, I explained our adventures to the family, to be greeted with hilarious laughter. It seems that the monastery is open to the public just one day in the year. And to men only! Next time perhaps I should do a little more research before my walk. But back in the UK, I found this link, on Wikipedia. Confused? Me too, but I hope you enjoyed the walk anyway.

I’ve been sharing Monday walks for a while now, and I love it! Can’t wait to see where you take me this week. You can post a link in the comments below or in the body of your post, whichever you like. And no, you don’t have to walk on a Monday! I will add your link to the bottom of my post next week so that everybody gets to see them all. Half the fun is sharing! Happy walking!

Here are last week’s walks :

Don’t miss Pauline’s scarecrow-

http://pommepal.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/a-walk-in-a-heritage-garden/

Or Yvette’s video-

http://priorhouse.wordpress.com/2014/05/12/monday-walk-with-jo-canal-walk-video/

And you just know you’ll get a lovely poem with Viv-

http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/blooming-bocage/

A musical interlude

Pearlescent beauty

Sometimes this blogging world leads me down paths I don’t really want to take. What place does an Ibanez guitar have in a travel blog? But it is an instrument of great beauty, and though he rarely plays it these days, a treasured possession of my son’s.

You’re used to seeing my daughter sashay through my pages, with her inimitable flair and style. James, though, would not appreciate an appearance here, though he’s happy enough to perform in another venue.

He’s a left hander who started his musical journey as an Iron Maiden fan. A proud moment when he was in sixth form college was having Janick Gers (a local lad made very good) from Maiden come to their new recording studio. The photo still lives on my study wall, and I won’t embarrass James by showing it here.

His real love is recording, though he loves to play too. Down the years I have followed his musical tastes, sometimes with real pleasure, sometimes with horror. Instruments have come and gone, but these days it’s not so much the instruments that occupy every available space in his bedroom (and beyond!) It’s the array of sound pedals and gadgetry which I totally fail to appreciate. There’s little beauty to them.

Many have graced his pedalboard, and I do remember a pretty yellow one. A little like photography, nothing comes ‘untampered with’ these days, and James will spend many happy hours on his laptop, composing and mixing the sounds.

For me there is nothing quite so fine as listening to my son strum his guitar and sing.

So, many thanks to Jake for reminding me. Have you joined in with this week’s Sunday Post challenge? You’re running out of time!

Thursday’s Special : The Lighthouse

Did you guess where I was, among the rooftops?

Did you guess where I was, up among the rooftops in Glasgow?

Looking down

Maybe this is the clue you need?

The Glasgow Herald Building is known as ‘The Lighthouse’ and was designed by Glasgow-born architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Now Scotland’s Centre of Architecture, Design and the City, it has one floor dedicated to the work of its designer. When I read that I could ascend the tower for views over Glasgow’s rooftops there was never any doubt that I would seek out the building.

The building was Rennie Mackintosh’s first public commission and was built between 1893-1895. A former warehouse, its most prominent feature is the tower, which was designed to contain an 8.000 gallon water tank, to protect the building from fire hazard. When the Herald moved to new premises in the early eighties, it stood unoccupied for 15 years. Thankfully today’s model is as cutting edge as Rennie Mackintosh was in his time.

I entered it in pure excitement. Ascending the escalator to the third floor I marvelled at what I found there. Tiny models of designs of his that were never even completed sat alongside others of his landmark Glasgow buildings. I found myself longing to visit them all.

How sad that this was never built

But this one was- the Glasgow School of Art

There are drawings to examine

Like House for an Art Lover, completed after his death

Like the plans for ‘House for an Art Lover’, completed after his death

There’s a history of this building

In pictorial form

With all it’s drama

And numerous design details

Rennie Mackintosh admired simple forms and natural materials. In his design he used texture and the contrast of light and shadow. He admired Japanese design but developed his own style, with strong right angles and the decorative floral motifs, with subtle curves, for which he is known. This building and its use of industrial space is a fitting tribute to him.

For me it’s a love affair

Visit The Lighthouse website for a better look at his work. As it says in the video, “each of the properties will tell you a different piece of the story”. Sadly I never did get to climb that tower. It was closed for repairs! But I took the lift to the sixth floor for the rooftop view anyway. You can take a virtual tour of the Mackintosh Centre and the viewing platform on the website (on a much sunnier day than I managed).

I am dedicating this post to Paula. She is not able to delight us with her usual Thursday’s Special this week due to pressure of work and being ill. Get well soon Paula. We miss you!

Jo’s Monday walk : Along the Clyde

Underneath the arches

It’s Monday again and you know I’m bursting to share a little of Saturday’s day trip to Glasgow, don’t you?

Now you may think that it’s a long way to go to take a walk, but if I tell you that the four and a half hour coach trip in each direction was totally worth it… well, I wouldn’t disagree if you thought I was crazy. It’s a city that I’ve wanted to see for many years and the opportunity just never comes up. So, I made it happen.

What a city! Despite leaky grey skies I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps because of the switchback of streets and the endless vistas, or maybe the feistiness, it reminded me in many ways of Barcelona. And that was truly a love affair. Glasgow architecture was an exhilarating mix. I’m a long-time fan of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and I managed a fascinating glimpse into his world, but I’m going to start you off gently.

I hope you have a sturdy pair of shoes (I ruined mine!) and a waterproof with you. It’s another wet one! Straight down the hill from Buchanan Bus Station I came upon George’s Square, where quite a vocal gathering was taking place. I told you they were feisty!

Gladstone knew a thing or two about debate, too! And stormy weather.

It was peaceful enough

And well supported, despite the weather.

The lion was keeping a watchful eye

While the locals maintained a sense of humour!

I nipped through the arches at the Royal Exchange and found myself on Buchanan St. Shopping heaven, I’m led to believe, but today I’m on a mission to walk beside the Clyde. The sound of pounding drums waylaid me for a while.

The street life was certainly compelling!

Rounding the corner I was on famous Sauchiehall St. Striding along, I encountered the Willow Tea Rooms. Pinch me, somebody- am I dreaming? My first glimpse of Rennie Mackintosh.

The original tea rooms!

I succumbed to a little slice of whisky and sultana cake

An excuse for a peek at a Rennie Mackintosh building

Got to keep my strength up, and I needed an excuse to see inside

I was wondering if I had time for a tour of the Glasgow School of Art, just round the corner on Dalhousie St. I stuck my head inside and gazed with longing. As I stood, looking up, the door behind me swung open and cracked me on the head! The young students were highly apologetic, but laughing too. A stupid, but very understandable, place to stand.

Pain on the threshold!

But I soon recovered when I saw inside.

I had intended to follow Sauchiehall St. all the way to Kelvingrove Park and the Art Gallery, then down to the river, but the rain was quite persistent. I don’t quite understand why squelching along the riverbank seemed a sensible option but I was determined to see the Clyde Arc. The hill dropped away and I with it.

Splashing downhill, this building intrigued me.

Splashing downhill, this building surprised me. It was to let!

And there I was, at the river bank.

I wasn’t totally alone but there weren’t too many misguided souls, I have to confess. My shoes were feeling a bit squelchy and as I walked west, scanning the horizon for the Arc, I realised that the riverside walk was being renewed. Diggers in lime green lay forlorn and abandoned in the rain. As the traffic hurtled overhead on the M8, some swimmers brought a little smile.

Something for the builders to admire in their lunch hour

Is she breathing clouds?

But then I had my reward- a first glimpse of the Clyde Arc

A little soggy, but still, rather grand

The views beyond, even better!

Though these were a sad reminder of unhappy lives

But sad memories for some

At this point things went a little awry. I had intended to cross the bridge and follow the opposite bank of the river back to the next bridge, but the footpath appeared to be barriered off. Two cheery cyclists explained that the residents of this smart housing development at the water’s edge did not appreciate people wandering past. I thought it a little selfish but I imagine they pay high rates for the view.

I looked at the path along the river bank and debated. I could get back to the river around the estate or retrace my steps. Best foot forward, you know the choice I made. And it resulted in some interesting architecture along the way.

Kingston Halls- a former library, or functioning still?

But I was relieved to see the bridge ahead

And to cross back over it

It’s a beauty, isn’t it?

Looking back along the river

While under the railway bridge the reflections were epic!

More bridges lay ahead and Palace Green with the People’s Palace, but I dare not walk too much further. The coach departure was imminent. Just time for a look at one more bridge then it was all the way back uphill to my start point.

A wistful look at one more bridge

And a tiptoe past a handsomely fiery tiger

Glasgow’s graffiti was something else, and I have many more shots to share, but for now I expect you’re ready for a cuppa?

You know I love to walk but I could have wished for better weather. I hope that if you take this walk someday you have sunshine, and the roadworks along the riverside will certainly be completed. There’s so much to see! A Tall Ship and the Science Centre- doesn’t that sound wonderful? Of course, I could have used the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus which departs from George Square, where we started. There you are- you have an easy option.

Meantime I’m hoping you’ll find some photos of a walk that you can share with me. I’m ready to sit back and admire. Just post a link in my comments, or link a post to me. Any way and any day you want to do it. I’ll always find time for a walk. I hope you enjoyed this one, and many thanks to everyone for sharing.

The shares for this week are below, starting with a stunner from Paula :

http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/the-jewel-of-veneto-for-jo/

http://traveltalesoflife.com/2014/04/07/a-walk-in-london-or-wrestling-at-the-changing-of-the-guards/

http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/jos-monday-walk-texas-bluebonnets-and-wildflowers/

http://diannegray.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/come-on-were-going-for-a-walk/

http://dadirridreaming.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/jos-monday-walk-our-beach/

‘I’ is for Irena and “idziemy!”

It’s way too long since I ventured into my A-Z of Poland, so I’m going to introduce to you another of my cousins. A lady who loves to dance and always has a warm smile for me, Irena works hard for a living. She and Arkadiusz (Arek for short) run a market garden in their home town, Bełchatów. Arek grows many of his own plants and seeds to sell in his shop, which specialises in garden products. Whenever she can, Irena helps out in the shop, which she loves to do. Usually this is in addition to factory work, or whatever she can find, to help with the family finances.

Irena with Dad in her garden, which provides plants for the shop

Irena is the daughter of my aunt Lusia, one of Dad’s sisters, and her husband Zbigniew, whom I never met. When first we got together the photos would come out, many of them tiny squares of black and white, but precious memories, every one. I would try to piece together the story and remember the names of family members who died long before I had the chance to meet them.

This is one of several photos that were emailed to us when Dad first made contact with his family. It’s a touching story, which many of you know.

Irena and Arek have two lovely children, Robert, a quiet young man, 22 this month, and his vivacious and beautiful younger sister, Weronika. (remember, the ‘w’ sounds like our’v’)

Arek in the foreground, with Irena behind him and Weronika, with golden red hair, at the back

I should maybe explain what’s going on here. Arek likes a bit of fun. Several years ago the family were in Zakopane for a Silver Wedding celebration. Lynne, my stepsister, and husband George, had joined us from Canada, and Lynne was practising with a new camcorder. Her handbag, containing the camcorder, weighed rather a lot, so Arek was “helping” her to pick it up.

If you aren’t familiar with my Polish story, you could have a look at my Personal A-Z page.

Idziemy! We go!

And so to grammar! A silly saying that’s often used in our home, “I’ve already told you more than I know myself” completely applies to my knowledge of Polish grammar. So, let’s start with a simple verb conjugation:

Iść- to go (on foot)

idę – I go idziemy – we go

idziesz – you go (familiar form) idziecie – you go (polite form)

idzie – he/she/it goes idą – they go

Well, I got the hang of that. But did you notice the (on foot)? It transpires that there are numerous ways of saying you are going somewhere in Polish, and there is a separate verb for each of them! Thus ‘to go (by transport)’ uses the verb jechać. Sometimes I can remember that verb (and it’s irregular conjugation), sometimes not! Imagine my consternation when I later discovered that if I wanted ‘to go, by plane’ I needed another verb. And so it goes on ….

I am a very bad student. I used to love language at school but these days I have neither the patience nor the memory. I recently discovered another ‘i’- Italki. It offers the potential to converse in Polish (and many other languages), at any level, and I have been trying to convince myself to enrol. I return to Poland on 29th April, for a family wedding, and this time I will be staying in a hotel with my husband, who will rely on my immaculate translation. You’re right- there will be much nodding of heads and smiling.

Many thanks to Julie Dawn Fox for inspiring the personal A-Z Challenge, and to lovely Frizz, who prompts me to return to it whenever I see his A-Z (but never often enough). Do visit these challenges if you can find time. You will be richly rewarded.

Six word Saturday

One hundred Six word Saturday posts!

Shall we celebrate with cake?

I first joined this challenge on 7th January, 2012. I had only been blogging for a couple of months and didn’t really have a clue what I was doing. I simply knew that I wanted to write about travel, and that I needed to extend my readership. I loved playing with words, too, and the challenge gave me that opportunity.

Two years later, and where am I? Well, I’ve travelled all right. Remember Barcelona, or even Porto?

Was there ever a stranger landscape? I loved Gaudi’s Barcelona

A very special city for me, Porto

I’ve taken you with me many times to my lovely Tavira, and to Poland to meet the family. We’ve wandered around the streets, stately homes and cliff tops of England (and over the border to Edinburgh, too) We’ve made some strange discoveries together. Remember Saltburn-by-the-Sea?

Knitted mermaid on the pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea

And, of course, you’ve met my lovely daughter and been introduced to the concept of Steampunk. Those cakes in the header were consumed in her presence (no, not ALL of them!)

Lisa in the teacup fascinator she made.

In the course of my journey I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve learned a little about all kinds of subjects. So many of you are good at crafts! My lovely friend Viv has taught me to appreciate poetry, and provided me with cheerful company at Northumberlandia on a bitterly cold day. And along the way I seem to have picked up an obsession with photography.

A Monkey Puzzle tree in close-up, from my “Green” series

I must have done a few things right because this morning my number of “followers” topped 2000! What can I say except thank you very much to each and every one of you who has liked or commented on one of my posts.

Since joining Six word Saturday I have contributed every week, unless I have been abroad. I’m well aware that my direction has changed since the beginning, and that 6WS may not be the best vehicle for what I like to do. I have to thank Cate at Show My Face for her tolerance in allowing me to push the boundaries of six words. You could say “gentle manipulation”? I hope you’ve all enjoyed my company as much as I’ve enjoyed yours. If you’d like to see where two years has taken me, click on my Six word Saturday page.

The Award Fairy is simply worn out!

I have to admit it. I have been so naughty this year, I really don’t think Santa will be coming to call. What should I do to make amends? I could start by acknowledging a few kind people who have bestowed awards on ungrateful me.

A good place to start, don’t you think? It made me smile and pretty well sums up my attitude to writing. Sandcastles in Portugal– isn’t that a lovely image? Alicia loves crafting so I’m sure many of you will enjoy her blog.

Whilst on the subject of Portugal, I’m long overdue a visit, and delighted to say that I’ll be back there on 2nd January, in time for Epiphany. Alyson Sheldrake of Algarve Blog is a powerhouse of activity, and the creator of the Blog of the Year 2013 award. If I don’t speed it up I’ll be just in time for 2014! Aly’s artwork is legendary in the Algarve and you can visit her at either of her blogs.

Now you might wonder why I have awarded myself one of the six stars that go with this award. Pure laziness is the answer! I did warn you that Santa had crossed me off his list, didn’t I? Michelle at Kidazzleink shone on me twice, giving me a star and the WordPress Family award too.

Do you like this cute snow fox?

I’m sure you all know Cee! She is an amazing lady who illustrates Cee’s Photography with a rainbow of colour, and produces challenge upon challenge. I owe sincere thanks for being included in her Sisterhood. And Valentina, a fashion concious lady at Low Rise, High Hopes kindly gave me the Best Moment Award.

Cuddly snow bunny companions

In the true spirit of naughtiness I have no intention of fulfilling all the rules in the above awards. Why should I bore you when you’d rather see another photo or two from Chatsworth House? But if you follow all the links you can introduce yourself to the people you don’t know, and surely that’s the point?

Happy together, like the blogging family

My awards all appear in my sidebar, or on my Awards page. Thank you very much to all concerned, and I do hope I haven’t missed anybody out. So now that poor old Award Fairy can have a nice rest. She must have earned some time off for Christmas!

A Chatsworth Christmas

Can you imagine spending Christmas in a stately home? Chatsworth House in Derbyshire would be the one for me. With the house beautifully themed and decorated all through December, wouldn’t it be wonderful to close the gates on Christmas Eve and have it all to yourself, just for a little while? With a select few friends, of course.

Ideally I suppose there should be a carpet of snow, so you could hop, skip and jump your footprints into the lawns. Which fire to drink your mug of hot chocolate by afterwards could be a big decision. Of 126 rooms, almost 100 are never seen by the public. Think of the game of Christmas hide and seek you could play!

You could hide behind a statue?

But not this well pruned hedge!

Lots of scope in the conservatories.

But maybe not these statues?

Come on! Let’s go inside, shall we? The house has been the family home of the Cavendish family since 1549. A lady called Bess of Hardwick determined to settle in her native county, with her Suffolk born husband Sir William Cavendish, Treasurer of the King’s Chamber. The riverside house was Bess’ project, carried on even after her husband died and she remarried.

Of course the house has changed greatly since it was first built, and, in the manner of all grand mansions, has a colourful history. Mary Queen of Scots is known to have stayed here, whilst a prisoner. In 1608, when Bess died, the house passed to her eldest son, but was purchased from him by his brother, William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire, for a measly £10,000.

Where to look? Christmas trees or up at that ceiling?

I mean, seriously- who lives in a house like this?

It is quite extraordinary!

And that applies to almost everywhere you look.

Bizarre yet wonderful sculpture

Exquisite wood carving

Beautiful candelabra and light fittings

Fabulous timepieces

And heart stopping modern works

Over time the house was added to and altered. After World War II, the upkeep proved impossible. Debt and death duties had accrued, and in 1946 a trust was established to administer the estate. Today the house has a separate trust, and visitors pour through the gates, especially at Christmas. The current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire are happy to be able to maintain and share their family home in this way.

How about this for a dining room?

The curtain headers are lovely!

The candelabra so stylish!

And I think I know that bright-haired lady!

Opulence doesn’t even begin to describe it.

And I haven’t even shown you the Painted Staircase yet.

The White Queen was here, but she’s gone now.

Just a small clue left behind.

I expect you guessed, I came here to see “Narnia”. And now I’m waiting for Boxing Day when “Death comes to Pemberley” will be screened on TV. It was filmed in part at Chatsworth. Based on the novel by P.D. James, it is a fictitious continuation of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. Fittingly this year is the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s novel. I find that quite amazing.

It may not be in a stately home, but wherever you spend it, I hope your Christmas is beautiful.

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Writing

Niedzica- a castle and a legend

‘U’ is for Ula

Jo’s Monday walk : Las Wolski and Bielany

A musical interlude

Thursday’s Special : The Lighthouse

Jo’s Monday walk : Along the Clyde

‘I’ is for Irena and “idziemy!”

Six word Saturday

One hundred Six word Saturday posts!

The Award Fairy is simply worn out!

A Chatsworth Christmas

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One hundred Six word Saturday posts!

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Share this:javascript:void(0);return false;