Coalbrookdale: Museum of Iron
4. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
We learned all about the iron industry, and the uses of cast iron which made this area so famous. It all started with the making of three legged cooking kettles (more stable than four legs), andLæs mere
Chirk Castle, Wales
6. august 2018, Wales ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Built in 1295 when this area belonged to England, it was a defense against Welsh invasion. Now it belongs to Wales since the border changed. Chirk Castle is remarkable for having been lived in forLæs mere
Chirk Castle State Rooms
6. august 2018, Wales ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Entertaining in style! Since the castle has been occupied for centuries, the rooms are decorated and furnished for different periods.
More Castle Rooms
6. august 2018, Wales ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The library contains so many old books, including a Bible in Welsh. The owners didn't just collect books, they read them!
The Long Gallery contains the fantastic King's Cabinet, given by Charles IILæs mere
Chirk Castle Gardens
6. august 2018, Wales ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
The gardens were neglected during World War II. They were revived almost single-handedly by Lady Margaret Myddelton, who moved in with her husband after the war.
There is a beauty around everyLæs mere
Darby House, Coalbrookdale
7. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Because Quakers refused to swear oaths of allegiance, they were excluded from professions such as legal, medical, teaching, the military, etc. As a result, most were involved in industry, commerce,Læs mere
Much Wenlock, Historic Market Town
8. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Not far from where we are house-and-dog-sitting, is a market town by the curious name of Much Wenlock. It was fun to see, and we were surprised to find out that Dr. William Penny Brooks started theLæs mere
National Waterways Museum
10. august 2018, England ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Ellesmere Port is located where the Shropshire Union canal meets the Manchester ship canal. There are docks, locks, stables, cottages and canal basins. The museum includes one of the greatestLæs mere
Life Aboard the Friendship
10. august 2018, England ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Friendship is the name of a canal cargo boat that was owned by Joe and Rose Skinner. It was their home for 50+ years (until 1959), and we were fascinated to see their tiny cabin. They hauled mainlyLæs mere
Canal Life
10. august 2018, England ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Navvies were the men who built the canals. They were not desirable people to rent to as they had a reputation for drinking, rowdiness, and thievery. So often they lived in huts near their workLæs mere
Porters Row Houses
10. august 2018, England ⋅ 🌧 54 °F
These row houses were built in the 1830s and used by various workers and their familes. Each one is furnished to represent a different time period in which they were lived.
In the 1830s there was noLæs mere
Porters Row Houses, continued
10. august 2018, England ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
In the 1930s, electricity and a gas stove were added. The parlor was used more often, such as on Sundays and holidays. The wireless became popular.
In the 1950s a small black and white TV was aLæs mere
Nostel Priory, Take Two!
11. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
We are staying in Wakefield for the weekend to visit Jacob and Jodie. Last time we were here, the house wasn't open, but it is today. The current family lives on the top floor, but the public can seeLæs mere
Nostel Priory continues
11. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Here is the State Guest Room, for the most important guests. Chippendale furniture was featured throughout the house but especially in this room. We learned a lot about Chippendale, and found outLæs mere
Royal Armory, Leeds
13. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
This museum houses a huge collection of arms and armor from around the world. The centerpiece is the Hall of Steel, in which over 2500 items are displayed. At the base are old cannons. Everything wasLæs mere
Royal Armory: Tournaments
13. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Tournaments started out as mock battles used to prepare for battle. Then they became spectator events with elaborate costumes, and armor that was mostly for show. Tournaments lasted 600 years, andLæs mere
Royal Armory: Training
13. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Boys learned how to wear armor and handle weapons starting at age seven. This armor weighs 16 pounds. By age 14 most boys had learned how to master a lance while riding.
We enjoyed watching someLæs mere
Royal Armory, Continued
13. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
More armor and weapons, ancient and more recent.
Dog-Sitting, Greenfield, Bradfordshire
15. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
We are taking care of two Cocker Spaniels, Holly (the black one), and Cookie (the brown one). We spent the first day settling in as we usually do: laundry, shopping for groceries, and making soup. ItLæs mere
A French Château in England!
17. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
This French Renaissance-style château was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1874 to entertain the fashionable world and to house his collection of fine art. We enjoyed seeing the house andLæs mere
Waddesdon: A Weekend Party Place
17. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
The Rothschild family was in the International banking business, with different branches of the family in various parts of Europe. Ferdinand, a widower, lived and worked in London. He bought thisLæs mere
Waddesdon Collections
17. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
The Rothschild family were collectors. Ferdinand's decorating style was French 18th Century decorative arts with English 18th Century portraits, especially of beautiful women.
This is the MorningLæs mere
Bedrooms at Waddesdon Manor
17. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
When Queen Victoria came for lunch in 1890, she used the State Bedroom to rest, but didn't stay overnight.
The Fountain Bedroom and bathroom were used by Ferdinand's single sister known as MissLæs mere
Rothschild Wine Cellar
17. august 2018, England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Château Lafite Rothschild is an award-winning wine estate in France, owned by members of the Rothschild family since the 19th century. At Waddesdon, the wine cellar that has vaults containing 15,000Læs mere
Shaw's Corner
18. august 2018, England ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Born in Ireland, George Bernard Shaw lived in England for most of his life. He and his wife married in their 40s and lived in Ayot St Lawrence from 1906 until his death in 1950, aged 94. The home isLæs mere






























































































































































