Highclere Castle

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Iโ€™ve always wanted to visit here, not just because it happens to be the set for the Downton Abbey, but simply because itโ€™s a beautiful bit of architecture. It was our gift to Nicki for her forthcoming, (ahem!) โ€˜significantโ€™ birthday!



Sue J joined us for the journey, arriving at ours just before 8am, whilst Nicki made her own way there from the south. It took us about two-and-a-quarter-hours – all trouble-free.

Since the success of the TV series, visits are on a timed- tour basis and ours was from 10.30 and we arrived just before 10.15 – thatโ€™s perfect timing in my book. Nicki arrived a minute or so later!


Unfortunately, itโ€™s a โ€˜no photoโ€™ policy inside the Hose, but take it from me, itโ€™s worth it and it looked as though anyone could live there – in other words, not overly ostentatious! Rooms were well decorated and a few of them had stills from the filming of Downton Abbey to put the location into context.

After a tour round the main House, it was off to the Egyptian Exhibition – and that was worth the visit alone! Plenty of stuff relating to Tutankhamun, albeit replicas in some cases.



After a swift coffee-break, it was off round the Gardens, that looked spectacular, considering the drought-like temperatures of lateโ€ฆ.

โ€ฆplenty to seeโ€ฆ

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โ€ฆall in full bloomโ€ฆ

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โ€ฆplus a signpost to a (not so) secret garden!


โ€ฆan explosion of colours followed that looked really impressive.

We finished our day with a full-on picnic at the back of the car. It was wonderful enjoying each otherโ€™s company, in perfect weather.

But all good thingsโ€ฆetc and by 2.30 with the food stocks depleted and me on a business call at 5pm at home, we said our goodbyes and headed home. Pity about the journey, back though. The Sat-Nav indicated a major hold up on the A34, so we diverted, adding 12 miles to the journey, but at least we missed out the 12-mile traffic-jam.

We got home around 4.45pm, so just time to say goodbye to Sue and then get ready for my phone-call.

Itโ€™s been a fantastic day (even allowing for the traffic) – great friends and great old House too!

Smile

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