It’s that time of year again – time to catch up with our recently discovered cousins and nephews. In fact, these get-togethers are turning into a regular (and very enjoyable) ‘gathering of the clans’.
Gathering of the Clans!
2024 – Windsor
2023 – Hatfield House
2022 – Hampton Court
2021- Kew Gardens
2021 – Shuttleworth Collection
This year, it was the iconic Knebworth House with the added bonus of back to Roger and Jane’s afterwards for a light nibble.
These days, the House is probably best known as a venue for mega-musical performances, but for those wanting a less noisy backstory, there’s a good (and short) history lesson HERE on their website.
We all met up there just after 11.30. This year, Chris and Kate couldn’t make it (Chris was working!) Whilst nephew Oli was in University-land, leaving the clan more of a ‘clanette’ today, starring Ali, Alison, Jake, Zidane, Sami, Roger, Jane and us two.
The weather couldn’t make up its mind – one minute, sunny and the next minute, chucking it down (the first significant rainfall for a good few weeks!). After a lengthy chat in the refuge of Knebworth’s Café, we were ready for the culture! £20 each for admission (with a small discount for us ‘oldies’) and cheap to book online ahead of your visit – their website is HERE.
Ann and I reckon it’s been 30 years or more since we were last here, and although it’s not unusual for me to remember none of the details of our days out – nor could Ann! 😲. So, everything today felt like a new experience!
The House felt lived in (it is!) and there were plenty of Guides on hand to answer our questions – and based on just MY questions and queries, they certainly knew their stuff!
Good to see a place in such good condition inside, with a wide variety of ‘stuff’…
…even a first edition of A A Milne’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’ signed by the author (a long-time family friend, apparently) and his son, Christopher Robin.
Good to see they have a Preservation Trust too! 👏😊
With our tour inside over (it took around an hour) we headed outside for the ‘Watchman Tower’. The tower was originally used by the night watchman, but had been out of use since the 1950s. It was re-opened in 2020 following extensive restoration. Visitors can climb the staircase (so we did!), which is made from oak from the Knebworth Estate, in order to reach the top viewing platform where you can enjoy stunning views of the local area.
The experience had been great so far (and the weather remained ‘kind’!). So, it was just the Gardens to look around? No, not quite! We almost missed it, but there was a further treat in store! It was a small exhibition – On Location – documenting Knebworth House and its extensive use across the film industry. And there was more! How about memorabilia of the many (many) pop concerts from here?
That was impressive and deserved more space! Now it was time for the Gardens…
In truth, the flowers were probably past their best, but it didn’t prevent us from enjoying a very relaxed Sunday stroll around a quaint English garden! Then it began to rain!! How English! 🌧️☔😊
We probably stayed longer than we imagined we would, but it had been really worth it – even with the ‘variable’ weather. It was then back to Roger & Jane’s for a whopping great Afternoon Tea. Great food followed – and so did the rain, forcing us all indoors to finish our feast. The gifts of Baklava went down a treat too! (Thanks, Ali and Alison!) 😋😋
As our early evening came to an end, thoughts turned to our next clan collective! After much debate and discussion, we shortlisted: ‘Tower of London’, ‘Greenwich’ and a few other London-centric locations.
A longer-than-usual journey home followed, due the Black cat roundabout remodelling (‘Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements’ to give it its full title), meaning the A1 was shut northbound – cue a much longer journey north involving the A10! 😒😒
Thanks everyone! Great to catch up – see you on the next one! 👍👍😘
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
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