Eternal Refuge

Despite being a Sunday I missed Church ... so we had a leisurely breakfast before heading out to their "local" National trust property -
Ickworth House

Sadly the part of the house where the family "lived" is now an hotel ... this is the extension that was built to entertain ...







Close-up of the fresco above the first layer of windows


( Lets have a walk round )

And, I suppose I should post these 2 ... in front of the statue of The Fury of Athamas





After we had walked through the rooms, we also enjoyed a walk through part of the grounds ... an area that you could spend ages exploring ...

( And the walk was enjoyable )

As I said, on Monday Christine & I went to
Knightshayes Court ... it is fairly local, but a fascinating place and always worth a visit ... enjoy







































As we got back to the car we spotted some "locals" -

And, I thought I would start with a few "random" pictures ... starting with the reminder that Christmas is truly on it's way ... well, according to London!!!



Regent Street

Oxford Street



Outside the Kensington Museums (and no, I didn't have a go)

And so to Hyde Park Corner

Apsley House which has the address of 1, London.  It is the home of Lord Wellington, and yes I did visit, but no photography permitted.


Wellington Arch, and again, I did visit, but nothing much to photograph.

Part of the Royal Artillery War Memorial

And, I did see some areas of Hyde Park in general.

This is the one memorial that is truly moving, and yes I did actually cry.  As the logo says, "Animals have no choice"

As you can see lots of animals are etched on the image, with 2 heavily laden mules ... walking through to ....

... sheer peace on the horse & dog.




Maybe another year I will get organised to have a ride.  This is Rotton Row, which if you have ever read any stories set in Regency London you would have heard about it ... so yes an historical route.

One of the many reasons I went to London was to go to the Field of Remembrance at St Margaret's.





Yes, I planted a cross for Dad in the Home Guard section ... as well as both my Grandfather's in The Northamptonshire Regiment, and The Coldstream Guards.  I also planted a cross for my 2 friends from The Northamptonshire Regt, as well.

As I walked along the Embankment I looked at The Battle of Britain memorial, which is well worth a visit if you haven't seen it yet


One of my pet moans of modern life, and most people is that they are so busy looking at their phones, they never see the amazing things around them, such as -



So, there we are, a few images of my trip to London ... loads more to post ... beware!

Well, just the one, actually!

5 Would you rather go to an amusement park, a zoo, or a sporting event?

Definately not sports, and it would depend on the zoo ... so if well run for the animals, and support of the wildlife, especially the endangered species, so if it is that it would be a zoo.

But, if not, then an amusement park, providing I don't have to go on any of the rides I don't want to.  I actually enjoyed my trip to Disney California in the end.

22 If you had to invent a fifth season, which two other seasons would you put it between and what would happen in it?

AutWint ... I love all the seasons, but to get a few days of cool crisp weather, would be lovely

23 If you only had a week to live who would you tell to go fuck themselves?

Well I would like to think I would be honest with my brothers as to how much they have hurt me (and Mum & Dad in the past), but when it came down to it, I doubt I would.

24 Why do you think the Fairy Godmother only gave Cinderella all the magic stuff until midnight?

Well, a girl needs her "beauty sleep", doesn't she?

25 Would you rather be a bee or a butterfly?

Butterflies are the only insect I can actually cope with ... so, maybe a butterfly.

However, my name, Deborah, actually means bee ... so maybe that's what I should be!

26 If you could turn anyone in your family into an animal which family member would you choose and what animal would they become?

LOL ... maybe one or two of them I would turn into horses ... and go back to riding again  ;)

27 If you were the ruler of the universe what laws would you make?

That it would rain overnight

28 Would you prefer to eat nothing but chocolate or be able to read people's minds?

Has to be chocolate - far too scary to read people's minds (after all, someone might read mine!!)

29 When you were a child what did you fantasise about doing when you grew up?

Getting married and having a family