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Our European Adventure 2018
  • DeanandLindasTravels
  • DeanandLindasTravels

Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more
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  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The clock tower is made partly of cast iron
    1851 World's Fair in the Crystal Palace, London

    Coalbrookdale: Museum of Iron

    August 4, 2018 in 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), and expanded from utilitarian items to decorative ones. It became the style in Victorian times to have cast iron park furniture and home decorations.

    In 1851, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, or the first World's Fair, was held in Hyde Park, London, in a cast iron and glass Crystal Palace.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The Cromwell Room with Civil War weaponsMedieval tableMid 1600's plaster frieze

    Chirk Castle, Wales

    August 6, 2018 in 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 for over 700 years. The current owners use it as a holiday residence, but the public rooms are available to visit.

    On display in the Cromwell Room are some really old weapons from the English Civil War (1642-51). The last picture is a plaster frieze from the same period, making it the oldest interior decoration in the castle.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Fireplace in LibraryLong GalleryKing's Cabinet

    More Castle Rooms

    August 6, 2018 in 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 II to Thomas Myddleton for his loyalty. The bedroom is called the King's bedroom, but it is doubtful that he slept in it, as it was on the side of the castle that was receiving battle strikes at the time!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Mr. Darby's office; he shared his desk with his partner.In the corner is a "dumbwaiter", a self-service stand developed in England.A wine glass chiller--great idea!The Day ParlorTheir clothes were subdued colors without ornamentation.

    Darby House, Coalbrookdale

    August 7, 2018 in 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, and banking. At first they were shunned. Eventually they were viewed as good business partners, and thus became successful. Abraham Darby I and his family owned the Ironworks and lived near the factory. We visited their house to see how they lived. They dressed in plain clothes so as not to stand out. Eventually the way they dressed made them stand out, so many gave up the plain clothes.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Town Square, with the Guildhall, the church behind it, and a wonderful museum
    High Street (Main Street)The blue-grey brick for the police station comes from this areaHoly Trinity ChurchBrook House Farm in the city, which is now condos

    Much Wenlock, Historic Market Town

    August 8, 2018 in 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 the Much Wenlock Olympics back in the 1800s as an effort to improve physical fitness. He worked to include physical education in the schools. And the founder of the International Olympic Games patterned them after this town's local activities.

    The town is full of charming buildings. In this first one, the half-timbered building is the Guildhall (like a city hall) and had a butter market on the ground floor.

    The last picture is of a farm in the town, which has been converted into condos. The farmers lived in town and worked their fields that were scattered outside of the village.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    A concrete barge, built during WWIIBeautiful brickwork on an engine shop

    National Waterways Museum

    August 10, 2018 in 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 greatest collections of historic boats in the world. We learned about how canal boats were built and what it was like to live and work in the canals system.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The cabin is in the stern of the boat.
    The curtain divides the sleeping area from the rest of the cabin.Dean is sitting where the sleeping area is folded up into the cabinet.The stove is just inside the cabin doorA model showing the cabin layout

    Life Aboard the Friendship

    August 10, 2018 in 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 mainly coal. It was drawn by a mule named Dolly, and they took good care of her.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The canal ice-breakerRocking the boat to break the ice

    Canal Life

    August 10, 2018 in 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 work site.

    Here are some photos of the beautiful ways the boats were decorated.

    Also shown is a canal ice breaker, which was drawn by a large team of horses and rocked by as many as 20 men to break the ice.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1830s Parlor1830s Kitchen1900s Parlor1900s Parlor, other side1900s Kitchen

    Porters Row Houses

    August 10, 2018 in 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 no running water, electricity, or gas, yet it was considered a comfortable working class home of that time.

    In the early 1900s home, there was gas lighting and running cold water. A flush toilet is in the back yard! The parlor was only used for special occasions.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1930s Living Room
    1930s Kitchen1950s Living Room1950s Kitchen1950s Washing Machine

    Porters Row Houses, continued

    August 10, 2018 in 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 a luxury. Labor saving devices include hot and cold running water, an electric stove, vacuum cleaner, and hand-agitated washing machine.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The Grand Hall, used for greeting guests.The SaloonBeautiful Rococco Dining Room; portrait of the first owner, Sir Roland WinnRococco Dining Room ceiling

    Nostel Priory, Take Two!

    August 11, 2018 in 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 see the two lower floors. Construction started in 1725, but the first owner died and the family ran out of money to finish it. Finally the family came into more money during the Industrial revolution of the 1800s and more of the house was completed. However, there were tile floors and other features planned but never completed.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    State Guest Room; note Chippendale furniture
    Chippendale desk in the libraryThe Tapestry Room

    Nostel Priory continues

    August 11, 2018 in 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 out there are no pictures of him, he died penniless, and he was not famous until after he died. This room was decorated in the popular oriental themes of the day.

    The desk in the library is also Chippendale.

    The Tapestry Room is beautiful, but was only used for special guests.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Outside view of the Hall of Steel (part of the museum)
    Looking up inside the 5 storey Hall of SteelPart of the Hall of Steel displayDean with an old Tudor era cannonUsing a punt gun to shoot waterfowl, which were then sold for meat

    Royal Armory, Leeds

    August 13, 2018 in 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 was so artistically arranged!

    Included are life-sized dioramas of many uses from war, of course, to hunting.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Two-Handed Sword Techniques

    Royal Armory: Training

    August 13, 2018 in 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 some volunteers demonstrating foot combat techniques. They seemed to have a lot of fun as their sense of humor was apparent, but they were very good at choreographing the motions.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Holly, Dean, and Cookie
    Traffic-calming measuresWhen meeting a car, one of us has to move over in a "wide" spot :)

    Dog-Sitting, Greenfield, Bradfordshire

    August 15, 2018 in 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. It gives us all a chance to get used to each other, and of course, we usually need some down time. The dogs are cute, affectionate and lots of fun. Holly absolutely loves to chase a ball, and when she returns it, she gives it a little shove so it rolls right up to our feet so we can throw it again right away! Cookie doesn't chase balls, but when she's had enough of Holly getting all the attention playing fetch, Cookie steals the ball and chews it to pieces!

    We are in a very small village. The villages have installed "traffic-calming" measures, and none of the secondary roads go straight. We have to plan on twice as long as we think a drive will take, due to winding, narrow roads, and of course, sometimes Elizabeth (our GPS), gets mixed up and directs us us the long way.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
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    The Stables1

    A French Château in England!

    August 17, 2018 in 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 and its Victorian-style gardens with their fountains and statues. There was an Aviary and more gardens to explore, but we ran out of time and stamina! We had hoped to go back but it isn't open on Mondays and Tuesdays, and we have to leave the area on Wednesday. Oh well, we know we can't do everything.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1
    A musical clockThe Conservatory next to the dining room; often musicians would play dinner music hereThe Breakfast Room for the gentlemen. Ladies were served in their bedrooms.The Smoking Room; Baron Ferdinand had many collectibles here.

    Waddesdon: A Weekend Party Place

    August 17, 2018 in 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 this property, which was a barren hill, and transformed it into an elegant place for entertaining at his famous Saturday-to-Monday parties. He delighted in showing the house, its treasures, and the gardens to friends.

    The dining room is remarkable for its marble walls hung with tapestries. The table is set for 24 people. The bouquets of flowers are high, as the custom was to talk up and down the table, rather than across it. The food was legendary, and Queen Victoria enjoyed it so much, she sent her own chef to learn the recipes. Unfortunately, Baron Ferdinand had a stomach problem, and only consumed toast and water!    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The Morning Room
    The Tower Drawing Room-for a small group. The writing table in front belonged to Marie AntoinetteThe Baron's Room--a getawayThe cherubs' arms are the drawer pullsHuge portrait of King Louis XVI, painted in 1783, with its original frame

    Waddesdon Collections

    August 17, 2018 in 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 Morning Room, where guests could go to read or to write letters. There were many beautiful desks around the room.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    The State Bedroom (where Queen Victoria rested after lunch)
    The Fountain Bedroom because it overlooked the fountain, used by Miss AliceMiss Alice's bathroomThe Balcony Bedroom-favorite of Winston Churchill, so he could smoke on the balconyOne of the bedrooms in the bachelor's wingBachelor's wing bathroom

    Bedrooms at Waddesdon Manor

    August 17, 2018 in 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 Miss Alice, who helped him host the dinners. She was instrumental in keeping the furnishings and collections safe. For example, she believed in keeping the rooms dark, covering the furniture when not in use, and keeping smoking to the Smoking Room. Some of the rooms are so dark it is hard to take pictures of them, and the ones we did take had to be lightened.

    Ferdinand willed the house to Alice, she willed it to a nephew, and he gave it to the National Trust. It is so wonderful that the family was able to keep it all together for us to see!    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Baccus, God of Wine, about 1740
    Said to be a wine that Thomas Jefferson orderedSigned by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, and Princess DianaTasting RoomSculpture, "Lafite" made of wine bottles

    Rothschild Wine Cellar

    August 17, 2018 in 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 15,000 bottles of historic wines, dating back to 1868.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    Shaw taught himself the piano; his wife was an invalid at her end-of-life, and he played for her.

    Shaw's Corner

    August 18, 2018 in 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 is maintained just as he left it.

    He wrote more than 60 plays including Pygmalion. One can imagine how well his home suited him for writing, being in a country-like setting. He is the only person to have won the Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar. He also wrote many pamphlets about women's suffrage, to support his wife's efforts.    Read more

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