Well, we’ve had a couple of little outings. This is Wentworth Woodhouse. We heard that the BBC may be making a new production based on the life of the family who owned it, the Fitzwilliams. One of them was supposed to be the original of Mr Darcy! Anyway, it is only 7 minutes drive from mother’s house, so we thought we might as well get a few snaps, just in case it’s as successful as Downton and there is massive demand! My grandmother came from the village of Wentworth, which is owned by the estate, so it seems likely that some of my (and yours, Victoria and Caroline) ancestors worked on the construction of the house, and some were probably in service there. I’m sure they would also have worked in the mines which produced the wealth which enabled the Fitzwilliams to build this house, one of the grandest in Europe in its day. Thank goodness times have changed!

It has the longest frontage of any house in Europe, and also, I think, the most windows. It has about 375 rooms. It is in a very poor state now, as the Labour government which came in after the war really hated the rich, and mined coal right up to its boundary, so it has really bad subsidence. It is for sale for £8,000,000 but needs about another £40,000,000 spending on it. The series is based on a book called “Black Diamonds” – coal. So, if it comes about, you can think about your connections!

It is very beautiful, inside and out. Do you think it would be better to let it fall down, or preserve it? Apparently, the National Trust didn’t want it, as they couldn’t afford the repairs.

We also had a day out at Holmfirth, home of “Last of the Summer Wine”. It’s a nice little place.

Very steep! No wonder those three old men were so fit.