Sunday, November 8, 2015

England, Day Eleven





 Today is the last day of our wonderful adventure in the beautiful English countryside.  We have had a wonderful visit to England!  It has been nearly perfect for us.  We have seen and done more than one could imagine.  Today there is enough time to see Jane Austen's home in Chawton before we get back on the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton this afternoon.  Come along with us as we visit the last home of Jane Austen in the village of Chawton.




Jane Austen lived in this house with her mother, and sister Cassandra, from 1809 until 1817.  Jane revised her manuscript for Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey and wrote Mansfield Park and Emma and Persuasion while living in this home.








After buying our tickets we are directed to the back of the house to see the Bakehouse.


Bakehouse

We then watched a short movie about the life of Jane Austen and then went around the side to see the kitchen.  Here are our clothes to put on while we work in the kitchen.






After working in the kitchen we need to go outside and see some of the garden before we enter the home.  It's a sunny warm day to enjoy walking around the lovely gardens that surround the home.








I'm looking forward to seeing the home of such an accomplished writer.  Of course, she received much more acclaim after her death, as is the case of so many writers.




"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." Jane Austen





 I love this chaise lounge in the drawing room of the home!  The wallpaper throughout the home is Laura Ashley.  It's not original to Jane Austen's time.  Here is a framed piece of some of the original wallpaper.




Also in the front parlor is a piano.  Jane entertained her family by playing pianoforte and reading to them.  Jane continued to take piano lessons well into her twenties which speaks to her love of music.  She often rose early to practice.  Like the characters she wrote about, Jane was an accomplished pianst.




In the parlor we see Jane's desk (table) she used to write her novels!  It's so small!!  I can't begin to imagine using this to write on!




“It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.”
 Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility





Going upstairs we see the bedroom of Jane and her sister Cassandra.  The two sisters were very close.  Cassandra must have been devastated when Jane passed away at the age of forty one.




Cassandra's Sampler

Wash basin and chamber pot that is housed in closet 

Laura Ashley Wallpaper

In the Admiral's bedroom there is a red and white quilt top on the bed.  Jane's brothers were in the Royal Navy.  Francis Austen became Admiral of the Fleet and was knighted by King William IV.





This amazing quilt was stitched by Jane, Cassandra and her mother.  Although the quilt is really a coverlet as it only has a top and bottom.  The pieces were made from material of their nieces cotton clothing.  The Caen lace shawl belonged to their niece, Fanny Knight.




The coverlet is behind glass and is no longer on Jane's bed.  If you are a quilter you will really appreciate the border and its intricacies!  They are so tiny!

Here are a couple pieces of Jane's jewelry that are displayed in cases.




The bracelet is so delicate and lovely.  It was passed down through the family.




Jane received the topaz cross from her brother Charles in 1801.  Jane was inspired to write about it in Mansfield Park as the amber cross Fanny Price receives from her brother.

Jane Austen's health became so bad that she had to seek medical care in Winchester.  It is believed she suffered with Addison's disease.  Sadly she passed away soon thereafter.  She was buried in Winchester Cathedral.  There is a copy of the inscription that is at Winchester.




There is also a plaque at Westminster Abbey in memory of Jane in Poets Corner.

JANE AUSTEN 1775 1817

She was the daughter of a country clergyman, George Austen, and his wife Cassandra (Leigh) and was born at the rectory at Steventon in Hampshire on 16 December 1775. In her books she portrayed the society and manners of the life to which she belonged: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. The family later moved to Bath and after her father's death she lived in the village of Chawton. Although she had several suitors Jane never married. She died in Winchester on 18 July 1817.




As we are leaving Jane's home we see this charming cottage next door!




Cassandra's Cup Tearoom and Bistro is across the street from Jane's home.  I wish we could go for a cup of tea, but we have a ship we need to board!









30 comments:

  1. I can't begin to imagine writing a novel with a quill pen! And then there's the revision. I don't think she would have written in double space. :-) Maybe they didn't need to revise so much back then because they'd honed their writing skills through letter writing. Thank you for taking us on your tour of England! I'd love to hear more about your return trip on the QM2. We are considering doing it sometime between 2017 and 2019 for our 50th wedding anniversary.

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    1. Cathy, I am reminded of writing a simple thank you note recently and having to "do over"-- I'm so used to changing my thoughts and words on the computer with the stroke of a key. We are quite spoiled with the technology of today. I think you would so enjoy a trip to England--it would be a great way to celebrate your 50th! ♥

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    2. I know what you mean! I forget I don't have spell check when I handwrite a letter. Anymore I usually type my letters I'm mailing just so I have a copy for my files. It helps me remember what I said the last time. I've read that the brains of children of today are developing differently just because they don't handwrite as much as they used to. I think this is one of the reasons I love writing in my journal every month. I love the feel of "drawing" each letter--it's when I practice my handwriting, which I've been trying to improve.

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    3. I handwrite in my journal also, Cathy. Sometimes I can't read my own handwriting--I handwrote the journal in England and had the same issues of course. If I concentrate and take my time it's much better. My dexterity is not the same as when I was younger. ♥

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  2. It may sound like stating the obvious, but all of this just transports me straight into any one of the film and television adaptations of any one of her books! Oh, Martha Ellen, I cannot believe our journey through England with you is coming to an end! What joy you have brought to so many of us. I'll be there, quayside, to wave you Bon Voyage for your return to America. Who knows, maybe next time you visit these shores we can visit for afternoon tea somewhere?
    ~~~waving~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Oh Deb, thank you so much for sharing in my joy! It has meant so much to me that you have come along on this journey. I really have dreaded saying goodbye to England, but soon I must. Meeting you for tea would be wonderful! We must return one day to Great Britain. Watch for me waving to you as the ship leaves out into ocean, dear one! xoxo ♥

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  3. What a privilege and thrill to visit that home! Please don't leave England yet. I'm not ready! (not will I ever be). Thank you for this lovely post. Sigh. Don't you sometimes feel like a displaced person? I know I do. :-))

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    1. Judy, I don't want to leave! As you have noticed here, I'm dragging along as I don't want to go yet! Yes, I do feel a strong pull to the English shore! It's hard to describe the impact this country has had on me!! We are kindred spirits dear Judy!

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    2. So true! How can I feel homesick for a country that isn't mine? But I often do. BTW, loved the comment you left on Diana's blog today. Lol

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  4. This brings back such wonderful memories of our trip to England. You make me want to go again, XOXO

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    1. I feel the same way, Susan! I want/need to return to England! XOXO ♥

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  5. There's just nothing for it, Martha...you and your dear hubby will have to return and perhaps spend a year. My dear friend's parents did that after retirement and how they loved their time there. In the end, the call of the grandchildren was stronger. I suppose that it is understandable that there is such a connection. It's the only country across the pond that I have ever wished to visit. Perhaps one day. I have been most blessed by your posts and feel as if I have taken a little vacation with each one. I believe that Louisa May Alcott also passed because of Addison's Disease. Must see if I am telling tall tales. (I need the entire dining room table to write. =D )

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    1. Vee, it would be marvelous to spend a year in England! I'm afraid I would miss my extended family too much! Thank you so much for sharing my joy! It's been wonderful to revisit all the places we were able to fit into our trip. ♥

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  6. It is a more humble home than we would expect, and yet, that is what I like about it. The kitchen hearth and the iris blooming alongside that wooden building in the garden is what touched my heart. Alas, how true that writers are often ignored during their lifetime, yet beloved when their time is passed. I sold one of my woolen sheep at a show this past weekend, and asked the buyer where she was placing it in her home; she told me, " Next to my vintage set of Jane Austin's novels!" I loved that. You have had a remarkable trip and I have so enjoyed coming along through your words and pictures,, thank you for that!

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    1. Jeri, I failed to say that Chawton Cottage was owned by Jane's brother. After her father passed away her brother, Edward Austen, let Jane, Cassandra and her mother live here rent free. I read that they wanted to live in the English countryside! Oh Jeri, I love that your woolen sheep will have such honored company! What a perfect combination! ♥

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  7. What a wonderful, wonderful way to end your trip to England...with a visit to Jane Austen's home! Delicious!!

    I love so many things about this house. The beautiful quilts. The handsome secretary. Cassandra's sampler. And that desk! (Like you, I can't imagine writing books on that minuscule surface!)

    I can't believe "our" trip to England is winding down. I will miss it! :)

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    1. Cheryl, It was such a priviledge to visit Jane Austen's home. I'm so glad that you have come along on our journey. It will be hard to leave, but we must. Thank you for sharing in the joy of England! ♥

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  8. I love all this dark traditional furniture, Martha Ellen, especially that desk and table. Nel loves books, and she has a study in her house filled with books. I'm sure she's read a few Jane Austen's before. I love the "comfort" quote she wrote. The brick fireplace is so charming. It makes me long for one, as we still have to put one in our home. I enjoyed reading about her and seeing the house where she lived.

    Thanks for taking me along with you on your trip to England, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, I love traditional furniture as well. It just feels like home to me as that is what I grew up with. Jane Austen is beloved by so many, I'm sure she would be astonded at all the fuss that is made over her now. She was quite remarkable!
      Thank you for joining me on our adventure. ♥

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  9. HI Martha! Oh, how wonderful! I just love that Jane and how neat you were able to see her home. What a wonderful tour of her home. We were able to tour a little Jane Austen museum in Bath and I thought that was something but to be able to actually walk through her house and see her things - marvelous. Thank you so much for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Shelia, we didn't visit the Austen museum when we were in Bath. I so enjoyed your post about it. She was quite an accomplished writer and being a woman in that time makes her more special to me. Thanks for your sweet comments. ♥

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  10. Lovely to read your post. I have never been here and would love to go, some day.
    Lovely photos.
    Fondly Michelle

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    1. Michele, you would enjoy Jane's home in Chawton. It was lovely. The village there is quiet and peaceful. Have a great evening. ♥

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  11. I'm so glad you got to see JA's house. We saw the museum in Bath which was quite nice--I think she lived there briefly… but I would have loved to see the house! You had an amazing trip and thanks for sharing it with us!

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    1. We were not able to fit the museum into our afternoon in Bath. Thank you for sharing this adventure with me, Dotsie! ♥

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  12. Oh how lovely and so charming! What a wonderful wonderful trip - one I hope and pray I can make one day myself, too. And the tea shop? Is that adorable or what???!!!!

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    1. Michele, I think you would enjoy England. There are tearooms around every corner and they are all so charming and delicious! You must plan a trip to this marvelous country! ♥

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  13. Wonderful tour! Sounds like you had a great time - come again soon!

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    1. Thank you, Mike. We had an amazing time and I hope to return to your beautiful country! ♥

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  14. I'm so glad it snows for you a few times each winter, Martha Ellen. It snows in many different areas in Northern California, but I'm not that close to it. It also snows in Southern California at a place called Big Bear, which I heard was beautiful. I am lovin' all the snow stories coming my way, as I don't get to see this fluffy white wonder that often.

    ~Sheri

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