Tales of Kent (Part 2 - The Black Prince)

Thank you for your comments and emails last week on Part 1 of my Canterbury Tales!  So, we are now at Part 2.  One of the things that I really wanted to see while at Canterbury Cathedral was The Black Prince's tomb.  Its bronze cast of chain mail, helmet and gauntlets beautifully designed pulled me to it, you can imagine my excitement of standing right next to this and at last seeing this for myself.

The Black Prince aka, Edward, Prince of Wales (Edward of Woodstock, Earl of Chester and Duke of Cornwall - the first English Duke) was born in 1330 and the oldest son of Edward III and Philippa of Hainault (an outstanding woman!). He never made it to the throne but was remembered as a great warrior and if the records are true, the Prince of Wales feathers were acquired after the Prince discovered the body of King John I of Bohemia after battle.  He took his helmet which was lined with ostrich feathers and also took the King John's motto 'Ich dien' (I serve).  The ostrich feathers and motto have been continued by each Prince of Wales since that time.

Edward continued his numerous campaigns and in 1367 was victorious at the Battle of Najera in Northern Castile and declared the deposed King Pedro of Castile as once again in power.  Pedro, in thanks and gratitude gave him a huge ruby which today adorns the Imperial State Crown.  Unfortunately for Edward, due to the Spanish summer, he began to show a fatal disease which is possibly amoebic dysentery although there are other theories of the type of disease he may have caught.

He returned to England when he realised that he was dying and at 45 he passed away at Westminster.  He wanted to be buried in the crypt at Canterbury Cathedral but this was overruled and instead he was buried by the shrine of Thomas Becket.

It would seem that the name "Black Prince" was never used during his lifetime and probably took hold either by his black shield, his black armour or his reputation which was more than likely brutal.  Above his tomb are replicas of his achievements and nearby, shortly, the actual garments, shield etc will be reinstated after being on loan in London.

Unfortunately, light for my camera was against me, so not that many photos of his tomb, but I will be back to look once again at this beautiful area of the Cathedral.

Now sifting through my Dover Castle captures, so until next time dear Readers!

Seasons Greetings from London

I must apologise for being a little absent over the festive period.  I made the terrible mistake of changing my camera which drained my inspiration, my patience, my love of seeing things differently.  For such a small piece of technology, it surprised me how much the sap was washed away from my limbs.  So, to cut a very long story very short, my tried and tested Big Bertha is now back with me and my sense of rhythm has been restored!

So, how were your holidays?  Did all your weeks (or months) of planning work out for you?  Have you come out the other side unscathed?  I have decided to change my outlook on this festive season now that the teens are older, and make things a little easier.  How?  I don't know yet, but I have plenty of time to rethink over the next few months!

Now, enough of the talking, let's get to some shots I took with my mobile phone on the 23 December in London!  Am I mad?  Yes, said my friends, and No we won't be joining you!  Well, let me tell you, the best time to visit Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus in December is the last office working day!  I kept thinking that it was a bad idea to book theatre tickets for Miss Teen and Miss B so close to Christmas, but it really was the best thing in the end.  Once they were safely inside, I then took off on my own, stopping off at places, sitting down on the steps of Trafalgar Square, drinking coffee, shopping, watching street entertainers... it was absolute bliss!  So, here we go, a visual festive treat for you... (just hover over the photo for the description)

Once the girls were out of the theatre, we decided to leave early for the Tube as we thought it would be an absolute nightmare down there. I was more than pleasantly surprised...the carriages were half empty!  Empty carriages at 6pm?!  Kings Cross, busy but still plenty of seats on the train home and in plenty of time!

The moral to my madness?... We're doing it again next year!!  To have those three hours of 'me' time was incredibly satisfying and a little Christmas treat to myself.

Sorry again for taking so long to post, hopefully life will calm down a little now that I have been reinstated with my camera, and I can now soak up the inspiration from those special and cherished people who surround me.

Capture and Share #6 - Watching the Whizz Bangs

Autumn means fireworks!!  Cozy jackets, warm gloves and a mug of soup while watching the fireworks light up the sky and reflect on the river below.

A Short Greenwich Post - Blame the Phone!

Many times I have walked past this wall at Blackheath on my way back to the tunnel when my Grandad was alive.  This was the first time without him and another first with Miss Teen.  The blackened brick gave me comfort with the memories of this place so firmly etched in my mind by him.

(I have to make a note here that the photos this time were with my Samsung phone as I left 'Big Bertha' at home, so I am sorry for the quality this week)

For the first time EVER it rained when we arrived.  NEVER have I known it to rain when I'm there, maybe because I was so happy following my Grandad in the past that I didn't even notice, or maybe because I just LOVE, Love, love walking in the rain.  However, as soon as we emerged from Greenwich Market after having a small bite to eat, the grayness remained but the spots of rain kept mainly away until we left the pier later.

 Thanks Grandad!

Usually we have at least one other person with us when we head down to London, but this time we agreed that it will just be me and Miss Teen this time, and I have to say it was incredibly enjoyable as we are so similar with our outlook on life and what we like to do.  We haven't had a trip together for a long time and with her in the middle of her GCSE's and Prom preparations, things have been a little stressed at the moment.  To just happily walk in a place that she now shares her love, it was a welcome and relaxing trip.

Unfortunately, after going through the shots taken with my phone, not a lot came out as I wanted due to grey and gloomy day, so the ones on show today were the best of a bad bunch - such a shame, but I will just have to go back soon with Big Bertha!

The Royal Naval College with The Queen's House in between.

Thank you so much for all your comments and emails.  As I said before, things are very stressed in the household at the moment, and my blog is my little escape to share the things I love, so to hear from you gives me the positive inspiration I need to get through the busy weeks.

My Perfect Place in Greenwich, London

This is the spot.  The spot where the most wonderful, intelligent, interesting and knowledgeable man would say to me ...

"So, where shall we go on our journey today?"  

It was a grey and rainy day but living through memories of my Grandad and walking through the beautiful landscape of Greenwich, London, I didn't even notice. (My past posts on this place are here)

With many photos to go through and tell the story, I have a couple of days of recounting old memories of happy days in this most beautiful part of London when I was with the most gentlest of men.

Until next time, have a wonderful rest of week.

Little Pink Boots

Walking through Peterborough today in the welcome sunshine, I couldn't help myself and took a mobile photo of this sweet little girl in her pink welly boots playing in the fountains.  She made me smile, as well as all those who saw her.  Not a care in the world, just enjoying life and taking no notice of those who just skirt the edge and don't live life to the full.

Thank you for the smiles little pink boots.

Thank you all so much for your visits and your comments last week, I have been so busy that I haven't been able to respond to you all.  Hopefully time will be kind to me in the not too distant future!  We are visiting London next week so my trips are beginning at last!

Christmas Decorations at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire UK

Well Mr Darcy, how do you do!  We have been waiting to visit Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, with its Christmas decorations for simply months!  And so, what a way to end my 2015 blogging year with this sumptuous, gorgeous, exquisite house.

This is a picture heavy post for which I don't apologise.  I really wanted to share this with you while you relax during your days of sharpening the elbows for the shops and the madness of crowds.  Our trip to Chatsworth will be in two parts, the inside - today's post with its Christmas decorations to the theme of The Wind in the Willows and very soon the incredible exterior .

So, sit back and enjoy with your champagne and caviar!

For those of you who have enjoyed the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, you will know this bust of Mr Darcy.  This bust is the actual one used in the film and has a little sign to say that there is to be no kissing!

Sorry, being distracted!  The reason we came was to see the magnificent Christmas decorations and they certainly didn't disappoint.  The stately home is full of treasures and incredible architecture, so to see the top end of decorations and imagination was a marvel to cherish.

My favourite room by far was the library.  My obsession of owning a room full of books with a desk to write at, a dark colour scheme and a feeling of serene calm was here.  No need to look anymore.  I have found my perfection!

Further along the corridor, a room that would fill some people with dread.  Which fork do I use first?

The dining room was filled with the rascal voices of the weasels from The Wind in the Willows.  Smashing glasses, merryment and mischief.  

Some of the weasels were being particularly naughty though and hiding behind the curtains...

... and under the table!

A spectacular room with a wonderful way of engaging the book with the decorations needed to flow through the house.

Looking up as we walked through the many rooms and hall ways was just paradise for me.  The chandeliers were rich with their opulence.

And the plainer version was equally as spectacular, surrounded by exquisite statues!

The decorations continued throughout and the trees were so tastefully decorated making the statues stand out even more in their beauty in the sculpture gallery.

We were now upstairs which was equally beautiful.  If only there were no other visitors around, I would have very easily just slipped into this incredibly comfortable looking bed.  Couldn't you?

At the other end of the room, a very happy Mole was singing and enjoying a good bath in a cupboard! 

Another favourite thing of mine is to see a wash basin and jug.  It screams simple and beautiful times.  But oh dear, how strong were my feelings to move that lampshade to hide the line.  Seriously, it was very hard for me not to reach across and help it along!

Now this capture really made me smile.  In the stairwell the water heater was lit up.  The Duke and Duchess' water was being heated, and not by servants of times gone past.

Each room we visited showed off Christmas trees so beautifully decorated.

Mr Toad had clearly been very busy!

But now he sinks into his bed and relaxes for another full day of mischievous antics.

Once again, thank you so much for visiting and commenting.  My bandages come off tomorrow and my new feet will be revealed!  A little nervous about it but at least I will know what I need to deal with very shortly.  I can't wait to get out and about once more and life can return back to some normality.

I am going to take a little blogging break now to get the last bits and pieces in order before the big day, so until next time I wish my lovely readers a ...

VERY HAPPY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS/HANUKKAH

       

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