Beloved Eleanor

I managed to have some long overdue time off recently, and guess what?  I managed to squeeze in some castle visits!  Big surprise there eh?!

I went up to re-visit Huntly Castle, which is always a good one for a meander around, and picked up a book published by Historic Scotland called Clan and Castle.  It has a lovely section on Fraser castles and the different branches of the family, also included of course, is Castle Fraser.  A must buy then!

Went out with a friend to see Craigston Castle.  It’s a lovely private family home, which opens just a few times a year for visitors.  It reminds me in looks a little of Fyvie, a bit like a white-washed version.  It’s a really fascinating house, and do try and visit when you can.

Lastly, I took a trip around Pitmedden Garden.  I’d never had enough time to really look, and the Victorian house and the farming museum are really nice, but the gardens themselves are very old indeed, and beautiful.

I did my regular visit of Fyvie and Haddo last week too.  Yes, I am a castle junkie…did I mention I went to Glamis and Edzell Castles in April too??

Just ‘cos I’m in a postcard kind of mood.

The tomb of Queens Elizabeth and Mary at Westminster Abbey.  I love tombs, and I love wandering around them at the Abbey!

Following on from tombs, here is the Guard’s memorial.  A beautiful thing, not dissimilar to the Cenotaph – at least to me!  Got to love real photo postcards too.

Some more of my collection:

First is a vintage Valentine’s card franked February 14th, 1901 and is my only American postcard.  The lucky lady is Miss Rubie Bray of Bethlehem, PA.

The second pretty Sarah card has not been franked, but was sent to Miss Sarah Hawkin by her friend Bertha.  I think the images of Sarah may be that of Sarah Bernhardt, the actress.

The final card I believe is a WWI card, and has not been used.  It does however advertise the purchase of Government Securities.

Longtime readers may remember I bought an original watercolour of Eleanor some years ago.  I’ve just come across a comission the same artist has completed of her husband Edward I!

I do like it – just wish it wasn’t modelled on the Braveheart image of him.  Obviously it was a comission though.   I hope that Mark manages to do his own version!

Whilst I’m on the subject of art, and was on Mark Satchwill’s site it reminded me he also recently completed a gorgeous picture of Elizabeth and Darcy from the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice.

This leads me to the final piece of news today…a great Austen site, which recently wrote about the recycling of Regency costumes.  Check it out for yourselves…

Hands up who’s seen this new programme presented by David Dimbleby?  I watched it on BBC1 last Sunday, second episode tonight.  You can also catch it on the iPlayer…

I really enjoyed it – not so much the speeding through history, and starting with the Romans – which always annoys me intensely.  No, it was Dimbleby’s obvious enthusiasm, and the fact we get to see treasures of Britain which we normally don’t for various reasons.

Tonight, I’m hopeful that there will be a section about Eleanor, as in the preview they have shown my favourite cross at Geddington.  Exciting!

If you’ve seen it, let me know what you think of the programme so far.

I have a confession to make – I have never eaten Haggis.  No, not even the vegetarian kind (yes, there is one).

Today is Robert Burns’ birthday, and therefore will be Burns Night, where it is traditional to celebrate by eating Haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) as a Burns Supper.

Not heard of Burns?  Robert Burns (b 1759) is a Scottish poet, and you will have heard of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ one of his most famous works.  Sadly for Rab, you will also see him on a lot of shortbread packets and tins as he also means a lot to the tourism industry!

So Happy Birthday Rab.  Will I be eating Haggis?  Unlikely as I haven’t bought one yet to cook, but you never know.

Robert Burns

Haggis

On the subject of anniversaries, the 30 January will see the anniversary of the execution of King Charles I.  If you’re in London during this period, look out for his statue seated on a horse close to Trafalgar Square.  Flowers are laid there every year in his memory.

The castle looked lovely for the Christmas weekend, with its’ natural decoration from the estate and other Victorian inspired decorations.  We had a peaceful, but steady weekend along with Father Christmas, and the week of Carol concerts also went well.

We here, have been enjoying the return of the Victorian Farm for Christmas, and a special two part episode of Cranford.

I’d like to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year specially decorated with two of my Victorian Christmas cards from my collection.

Also, why not add a bit of Wizzard and stir, eh?!  Have a good one!

Take a look at my lovely ‘new’ 1880s picture of Eleanor’s cross at Waltham.  I had not seen this particular image previously, and was admiring it last week.

Enter the lovely Carol – who got it for me!  Sending lots of hugs your way

Some of you will already of heard of Bletchley.

• World War II
• Codebreakers
• Spies

Some simply because the Victorian house is amazing also.

Or maybe even because you saw the film Enigma, and wanted to know more about the codebreakers.

Truth is, Bletchley needs our help.  It is a charity and relies on donations to keep going.  Not only that you can help by visiting and perhaps even volunteering for them.

Why not get behind Bletchley today?

You can visit the Bletchley Park website, and also follow them on Twitter @bletchleypark

Here’s the part where I finally get to update on lots of things that I’ve been either doing or attempting to do this year.

With reference to castle visits.  I managed to visit Delgatie Castle again, and it was sunny too.  I think it could end up being a favourite of mine.  Apart from the usual suspects, I haven’t managed any other ones this year sadly.

Plus, the  history books I got my hands on?

The lovely people at Country Life Magazine sent me a copy of Adams Houses, I bought myself Jane Austen: the World of Her Novels by Deidre Le Faye and I’ve managed to borrow Sir Thomas Lawrence (which I love) and Treasures From the Trust.

I should also update the historic film and TV list.  I’m ashamed to say I originally missed off accidentally: Excalibur, Daniel Deronda, Dangerous Liasons, Howard’s End.  There are lots more I love that I will add eventually.

Talking of TV, after the glut of interesting stuff, there hasn’t been much on that I’ve liked lately.  Series 3 of The Tudors was pretty boring stuff, and I even missed the end.  Caught up with the predecessor of Victorian Farm – Tales From the Green Valley – which I didn’t like nearly as much, haven’t seen the new Wuthering Heights (not bothered either, I HATE the story and characters) and am currently watching the new version of Emma, which I’m not liking much either, sigh.

I hope to get out to the cinema over the Winter to see at least a couple of new films, and to get some fresh books to read as I’m getting a bit low on material.  Maybe someone will take pity on me for my birthday…

Haven’t managed any exhibitions either, though I do lust over paintings at every available opportunity.  I can dream about making an exhibition some time soon.

Last, but not least, I’ve done a little tinkering with this site, and gathered a lot of Eleanor material together.  I’m much more happy with the site now than I ever was, so I will put a proper front page up.  Not in any rush though (why rush now!) it will come when time and creativity permits.