Where's Harry?

Thursday I went to Lacock Village. It's a lovely village that is part of the National Trust. It is like stepping back in time to visit there. But for the next three days they will be filming part of the next Harry Potter movie. They do not start filming till 5:30 and I was there about 2:30. I spoke asked one of the young people there working with the production if she could tell me any thing about it. She showed me this street saying this is where they are filming. The big half white half black balloon looking thing is the moon. Also they had Dumbledorf's tomb (un-assembled) but I did take a picture of both parts. Depending on how busy of a day we have Friday (today now) we may ride over tomorrow to see them do some filming. It was more crowed than usual for this time of year. But I expected it to be much worse since school is out right now.

Windsor Castle

This is Windsor Castle. We had a great time but no royals in sight. We were surprised how much of the castle is open to the public to view. There were thirteen state rooms such as the King's Drawing room, Kings' Bedchamber, Queen's Ballroom etc. Each one was beautiful and in very good shape. They say Buckingham Palace is in a terrible need of repair on the inside but they are fighting over who should pay for it. Queen vs. England? I guess with this being one of the Queen's residents she foots the bill. We also went in to St. George's Chapel where many of the royals are buried including the Queen Mum and King George VI. It is a beautiful chapel that was built in the 1400. The castle it's self was started in 1066 by William the Conqueror. This is Queen Mary's doll house. It was never a child's doll house but given as a gift. It was suppose to be a replica of aristocrat's London home of the time. Every thing works. The water runs, wine bottle have wine in them. Even the little miniature hoover vacuum works! It is built on 1/12 scale.

Walkabout Calne

Today the beautiful October weather continues! I had to go to the hair salon so I took my camera along and snapped a few pictures. I understand the building was originally built in the 1800 as a house. Years later it was a bicycle shop and tyre shop when fewer cars were around. I sure it's been other things also.

The picture below is of Saint Mary's.
It's history is well documented. It was built in the 1200. It was renovated in the Victorian period when pews were added. It is a beautiful small church. We can see the highest tower from our bedroom window. We also hear the bells very well here at the house. I can not hear the clock chime during the day but when I'm up at midnight I usually hear it striking twelve. I can't help but think when I hear them "Yes, God's always on duty"!
Love to all!!

Shower for Baby Durham

After getting in late Saturday it was up bright and early to get ready for Michelle's shower. The quilt was made by the quilting group. We each made two blocks and Shibon our instructor put it together for us. Since no one in the class has finisher their "day project" yet we thought it best if Shibon put it together. Otherwise it might turn out like my friend who just went to the states and was given blocks done for her dad (eighty years ago).....

Girls day out to see Wicked

Saturday was a long long day. I left the house about 9 a.m. and did not get home till midnight. I went to London with some ladies from the base to see Wicked. It was as great as I remembered. After the play we found a new Italian restaurant just across from Victoria Train station it was great. I think the name of it was Pezzia. It was a big place you can't miss it. I'll attach a picture of us as soon as I get it from Michelle.

Quilting story

A friend I quilt with recently went home to visit her 97 year old Grandmother. While she was there her Gram gave her the quilt blocks above. This is a pattern I understand was popular back in the early 1900's. When Gram was expecting Cohnnie's dad her friends and family all got together and quilted these blocks. His initials also were E.E. On the white square in the middle they embroidered their names. Not all the names are completed but they are signed. Of course like it is today baby arrived and the squares never got put together. She has passed this down to Cohnnie to complete. The girl that teaches our quilting class is helping her find special products for cleaning etc. and material to finish the quilt. Cohnnie's dad as well as most of the people who made the blocks have passed away. Making this even a more special gift.

More pics of banquet

Caldicot Castle Welsh Medieval Banquet

What a hoot!! We had a great time Friday night playing make believe. We were taken by bus (I'm so glad we did not have a flat tire or engine trouble) to a castle in Wales called Caldicot. I have not been able to get my information straight but I understand there is history of people leaving in this area since 8500BC. The present castle was built around 1100. Anyway when we arrived we were taken across the draw bridge into the gate room for pre-feast drinks. Then into the guard room where we listened to popular Welsh songs before being sent up the spiral staircase to the great dinning hall. Every thing was very authentic. No forks or spoons. They did not allow us to take our "glass" beverages into the hall. Everything was served on stone ware. The drinks were mead, red or white wine or water. The cups were the size of shot glasses. We were first served soup in bowls with bread. Follow by lamb (taste like venison) then chicken and baked potato. The dessert was sponge cake and custard that was 99% alcohol. The whole time we were entertained with lovely music and sometimes comical songs (a few on the naughty side).

Betty Crocker doesn't live here!!

It's not the prettiest I've baked in the past but it was still very tasty. After having a busy two weeks, Alan and I decided to hang around the house this past weekend. When we took Coco on her walk Sunday we took along two containers to collect blackberries. They have been coming in the last couple of weeks. We have an ample supply close so we managed to collected enough with out a single bee sting. Both of our hands looked like we'd been in a cat fight however and lost. I was having trouble finding the equivalent of Crisco for the batter in our local market. I asked an elderly couple if they knew where I could fine it in the store. The man got this big grin on his face and said "that's the ole fashion way to cook". I laughed and told him I know but it's only once a year during berry season. She had never heard of Crisco of course but took me straight over to the refrigerated area next to the cheese and pointed out this large hard block marked "lard". I brought it home and it had to set out all day before it got soft enough for me to use. I'm glad it not time for a cholesterol check.