What’s Been Happening in Yorkshire?

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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!

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South Suffolk – Constable Country

Years ago, it was popular to have a print of John Constable’s famous painting “The Haywain” above the fireplace, and I always thought it was awful, and he must be a rubbish painter. However, about 25 years ago I went to the National Gallery in London, and saw the original, which is beautiful, and ever since then I have wanted to visit this area. It is lovely – the countryside makes you feel as though you are walking through Constable’s paintings. There are lot of medieval villages with half timbered houses and sagging roofs. Imagine a cross between a Constable landscape and Downton Abbey plus roads and traffic!

River Stour at Nayland, Suffolk, England, in Constable Country.
River Stour at Nayland, Suffolk, England, in Constable Country.

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