Saltram

Music

Today I'll continue sharing our Golden Anniversary trip to Great Britain.  I know, do you think I'll ever record it all?  Thank you for sticking with me as it is important to do so!  We saw so many beautiful sites I can't possible leave any of them out!  Today I'll share our trip down to Plymouth to a couple of spots.  The first place is Saltram.  

As recorded in my journal, it was a rainy foggy morning as we drove down the A388 to visit a most beautiful property home of the Parker family for 300 years.  

The further south we drove the skies began to brighten for a glorious day to view the grounds and home.  Since the home didn't open for a couple hours we enjoyed viewing the lovely gardens.

A sweet little duck greeted us as we began our tour of the gardens.  It's a lovely spot for wildlife here at Saltram.

Beautiful old ancient plantings of trees and lovely flowers still blooming on this beautiful October day.

The gardens are enormous and made me so happy!  Follies and points of interest dot the landscape.

The Castle Folly was so darling.

With table and chairs inside and lovely flowers. The attention to detail in this folly was exquisite with plastered detail and a fireplace.

I loved the cyclamen plantings under the alley of trees as we continued our walk through the garden.

We never pass up a chance to visit a tearoom and here on the property is the Chapel Tearoom.  You can enjoy tea alfresco or come with us inside and we'll have a little refreshment.

I enjoyed a lovely cheese scone and strawberry jam.

Grayden had the fruit scone with clotted cream and jam.  Of course I had a pot of Earl Grey and Grayden had coffee. 

Walking back toward the home we are struck the beauty that surrounds this magnificent property.  As you may have guessed Saltram is owned by the National Trust.  They take wonderful care of this beautiful estate.  It is said to be "the most impressive country house in Devon."  The house has been altered several times by architect Robert Adam who expanded the original Tudor house twice.  In 1957 the Parker family donated the home to the National Trust in lieu of death duties.  The name Saltram comes from the fact that salt was harvested nearby and ham is the old word for homestead.

As we enter the home you can just imagine the wealth of the Parker family.  John Parker inherited the home in 1743 along with his wife Lady Catherine Parker. Together they made great changes to the manor house to a Palladian mansion.

The plaster work in this great mansion is wonderful.  Chippendale furnishings fill the home along with Wedgewood ceramics.  Priceless portraits line the walls by Sir Joshua Reynolds. 

   

We were invited to visit the bedrooms as the Saloon was being renovated.  Scaffolding was placed around as busy workers continued the task at hand of restoring the carpet.

The furniture in every room we entered was beautiful. 

Each room also displayed the most unique wallpaper.

A wonderful library is usually seen in large mansions such as Saltram.

The desk in the library is from Paris that dates from 1692. 

Saltram was used as several of the local settings in the 1995 film of Sense and Sensibility , based on Jane Austen's 1811 novel.

Thank you for joining us as we continued our trip celebrating our Golden Anniversary. 





  

Fifty Two Years

 Music

Grayden and I are celebrating our fifty second anniversary this week.  My heart is so full of gratefulness at the love we both share for each other.  It's a good thing to remember long lasting love and we don't take it for granted.  Every year we take time to come together to remember and celebrate. 

This year we chose Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to visit and enjoy.  If you've read this blog for very long you realize we adore the ocean.

October is a wonderful time to visit the ocean with few crowds and lovely weather in the south. 

 

The full hunter's moon drew us to the balcony every evening.

How can your heart not gasp gazing on such beauty? 

Grayden and I have walked miles and miles along the oceanfront, gathering upteen shells and even sharks teeth.  I can't pass up a beautiful shell, even if I do have many, many jars at home.

My sweetheart and I are enjoying a lovely afternoon doing what we do best, sitting on the beach relaxing while reading and gazing at the gorgeous ocean. 

Finch Foundry

On our travels in England we love visiting the National Trust sites.  Some of them are grand and glorious old manor homes or castles or small homes that belonged to famous folks.  Today I'd like to share an interesting place that is different from all the rest, a foundry.

On our ride to the wonderful village of Sticklepath (don't you love that name), check out this gorgeous view!  The high hedges and green pastures above thrill my soul.  I'm still riding on the left as Grayden maneuvers down the lanes of Devon.  

The village of Sticklepath is so charming with its thatched roof buildings.  I see the National Trust sign above, so let's find a parking spot and check out Finch Foundry.

The National Trust reminds us that this foundry is powered by three water wheels that powered huge hammers, shears and sharpening stones to make tools for the industries of Dartmoor's past.

Walking into the entrance we see our first water wheel.

Inside the foundry, this gentleman is setting up a demonstration showing how powerful this old system is that still works.  

Forging tools by hand is a lost art.  This gentleman is showing how some of the tools were made here at Finch Foundry. 

If you've ever had a hand forged tool from your grandparents,  or great grandparents, you know the quality of such pieces.

The wonderful National Trust takes care to save sites that otherwise would fall into disrepair or to development.  I love that about them! 

I love the story of how Rebecca Finch ran the foundry after the passing of her husband, George.  What a brave and smart gal she must have been to run a business such as a foundry!

Grayden especially enjoyed Finch Foundry.  I unexpectedly did as well.  It was a fascinating shop to visit and learn more about how tools were forged long ago.

Of course, I always enjoy seeing the thatched roof cottages that dot the landscape of England and especially here in Sticklepath, Devon.

Charm is everywhere in this lovely village!

Fairy tale villages warmed our hearts as we continued our Golden Anniversary celebration.  I'll continue posting our visit in the order that we saw everything.  If you wish to catch up on this trip it all resides in the tab above under Great Britain.  Thank you for joining us. ♥