There Isn't Always A Tomorrow My Friends

Happy Days

Just a few pics of our wonderful stay at Middlethorpe Hall. We did have such a special time. Talking and talking you know how it is. My chum who was with me is a fantastic tarot reader and so our evening there was quite magical. We swam , drank bloody marys and enjoyed our time together. I really love the country house look of this 17th century hall. So much so that early doors this morning, whilst the Mr was out on a gruelling bike ride, I popped down to the local boot fair and found an old hand painted lamp base that would have not looked out of place in our suite at Middlethorpe. I'm super pleased with it.

Queen Genepil The Last Queen of Mongolia

This caught my eye this week. And provoked some investigation. A very sad story of a young girl selected to be a Queen to a man she could not refuse, the last Mongol Khan. Because of this her life was cut short, 1905-1938. Executed as part of the systematic purge of Mongolian culture by a Stalin regime. Her beautiful attire inspired the costume designers of Star Wars to create the costumes for 'Queen Amidala'. Extraordinary.

A Little Luxury On A Budget

Hello my lovely blogging chums. I thought I would share an exciting upcoming trip I'm making with a girlfriend. She has been a bit low recently what with one thing and another, so I have conspired to whisk her away for an overnight stay at one of The National Trust hotel properties, of which there are three in the UK. Who knew? Now this hotel is very close to York, which means it's easy to reach by public transport. Great, because neither of us want a long drive, so we are letting the train take the strain. We plan to leave our bags at York station when we arrive mid morning and then spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon exploring the museums, galleries and shops before having a good lunch at Cote Brasserie. I always try to book Cotes when I'm travelling because the food is always good, the restaurants themselves are usually beautifully decorated and the price is very reasonable. So a full lunch will mean we can have something lighter in the evening, so we don't have to pay for an expensive dinner at the hotel. The hotel manager Lionel was tremendously helpful when I told him my plan and he suggested I book a garden suite which has two rooms, a small lounge, small kitchen area and a little private garden. Absolutely perfect. The hotel does have a spa, but we are taking our own 'spa' products, but we will avail ourselves of their swimming pool. We are also planning a summer evening stroll around the gorgeous gardens, we have twenty acres to choose from. I'm thinking we may pick up a couple of treats from Bettys to have with a cup of tea before our swim. And there is always the possibility of a cheeky cocktail before supper, just to get the full experience of the hotel interiors. I'll let you know how we get on. Can I also welcome a new follower to my little blog. I look forward to reading your comments, always gratefully received.

I love Bess of Hardwick

In a very real sense this amazing woman was the reason I moved to Derbyshire. Bess of Hardwick was a very strong, clever and shrewd lady who graced this county in the 16th century. Through her charismatic personality and strength of will she managed to negotiate four marriages in her lifetime, and came out on top after each successive husband died, before dying herself at a ripe old age. She developed a very close relationship with Queen Elizabeth 1st and towards the end of her long life she became the richest woman in England, after the Queen herself. Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to a 'behind the scenes' tour of her powerful house, Hardwick Hall. An English Elizabethan interpretation of Italian renaissance architecture. What a power house, a testament to her status as Countess of Shrewsbury and everything she had worked for.

Bess worked her entire life to one end, that of creating a fabulously wealthy dynasty. Which she did and then some. In her last marriage in 1567 to the Earl of Shrewsbury, she acquired the status she sought. One of her conditions in agreeing to marry the Earl was that her daughter Mary would marry his son Gilbert and her son Henry would marry his daughter Grace. Thus ensuring the coffers of the Earls of Shrewsbury would continue to benefit her offspring through the next generations. A very clever move. The house is now looked after by the National trust, after being given over to the nation in lieu of death duties after the untimely death of the 10th Duke of Devonshire. These particular dukes, amongst others, are descendants of Bess of Hardwick. During my visit I was thrilled to see a housecoat that is believed to have been worn by Bess. These are not fantastic images I know, but the garment could not be moved. The deep purple colour still glowed after over 400 years.

I also was taken up to the roof, to wonder at the views and incredibly I was allowed to enter Bess' private banqueting room. The rooftop houses three other similar single room dwellings. Such history.

A remarkable place that befits such a remarkable woman.

Irresistible

Love Love Love

The Mr and I were lucky enough to be invited to a very special wedding, between two folk very much in love. It is no exaggeration to say the Bride and Groom both smiled from ear to ear all day. The wedding was beautiful but most importantly everyone who attended projected their love on to the happy couple and each other. It felt so nice to be part of it. The Bride had oodles of bridesmaids, including two ladies in their 80s and two little girls. Her Aunt gave her away as both her parents have passed. Then we all had a big party. A perfect day.