Friday 13 June 2014

Hughenden - A great day out.


Today we went here!  


This is the house that Benjamin Disraeli lived for the last thirty years of his life.

We listened to a VERY good talk about Benjamin Disraeli and his life.  The speaker knew just how long to make it, paced it well and injected the right amount of humour and interest.


We were really interested to go into Disraeli's study after hearing that Queen Victoria spent some time in here in quiet contemplation after his death...from a poor impression when she first met him, she eventually came to hold him in very high regard.


It was a really lovely study and if I was to become a Prime Minister, or even a country estate owner, I want a study just like this one!

We also heard a talk about the activities at the house during World War Two: Operation Hillside...I have to admit this talk wasn't as well given...as Mum said, less could have been said and it would have proved to have been more.  Not really sure what she meant by that...but I think she meant that he needed to be a bit more concise and not um, well waffle quite so much.  It was interesting though to hear about what happened here.  In the basement were displays of that period in time.



The basement looks like it must have been fortified...there were walls within the walls.

Mum said it looked like I was in jail here!


Peggy Sue came with us today and she was actually good company.  We were interested in the old uniforms, but the helmet and clothes were too big for us.



We looked at the different machines used to transmit messages in code.


In the bunk room we played with the cards.



There was a room recreated like the sitting room of the two children that lived on site during the war years.

We were fascinated by the Children's Newspaper.







Next we ventured outside to look at the gardens.


Very impressive they were as well.




I thought this was a bit rood. rude, but it made Peggy Sue giggle.





Imitating art.



Peggy Sue liked the flowers.



I liked the little baby rabbit that was in the garden soaking up the warmth.



Of course no outing is complete without a spot of tree climbing...


Mum nearly left me behind here!


Peggy Sue found what she called a 'Tree Throne'




There were fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.


Although as Mum pointed out, sadly marred by the sound of traffic.


Inspecting a giant grasshopper.


Wow, this bug hotel was really impressive.  We want to build one in our garden now!


We are sure we could...we have a lot of stuff just like the things that were used in here.


We discuss just the place we would put it.





A pretty flower for Mum


A scarecrow for Dad (Teehee hee)


Even I have to admit these roses were very bright and colourful.

A grand day out indeed, the weather was perfect, the talks were interesting as was the house and gardens.  Still much more to explore walk wise, so we may go back one day with Percy.








6 comments:

  1. Wow, Henry and Peggy Sue....Don't know what was the most wonderful...the roses, the bug hotel, the childrens' newspaper or the awesome tree. What kind of tree is that? Seems like our whole yard is a bug hotel but still a great idea! Thanks for sharing your day of adventures! Diana Merl

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  2. Hi Diana, thanks so much for visiting and leaving a comment. It is really lovely to know that people enjoy reading what I write. It really was a fascinating place. I am not sure what kind of tree it was, but it was really big - there were quite a few similar trees. I must remember to take our tree identification book with us!

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  3. Another great day out for you, Henry! I'm so glad you let Peggy Sue go with you, she needs a few special days as she clearly feels left out sometimes.
    What a wonderful house - I'm going to show that red study to B. as I'd love a red room but he thinks it might not work. The gardens are spectacular and I'm going to make a bug hotel for my pond and wildlife area, though it might not be as spectacular as the one you saw there.
    Happy Sasha Festival holidays!
    Jenni x

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    Replies
    1. The house was great and the study was pretty cool...Mum really liked the bedroom as well which was yellow, and a lovely large light and airy room.

      Oh, don't forget to let me know how you get on with your bug hotel!

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  4. Wonderful photos Henry! What a beautiful and intersting place to visit. Peggy Sue looks like she had a great time! So nice to share experiences with others :) xx

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  5. Yet another truly exciting day out for you and your friend, Peggy-Sue. I liked seeing your time outdoors the very best and love how you always seem to find the most interesting and facinating things to show us.
    My very favourite was the Bug Hotel but unfortunately I shan't be building one in my tiny garden as I'm not keen on these little creatures living quite so close to me so I'll pass here and leave it to all you other nature loving people with bigger gardens.
    Have a great time at your third Sasha Festival.

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