With the temple still closed and some missionaries staying on the grounds, extra outings were planned. On Wednesday, Brother and Sister Vowels were the driver and tour guide for a minibus trip to the town of Horsham, the place where they grew up, met, married, and raised their family. They took us on the back roads and Brother Vowels showed us where he and "the boys" hung out, played, and came up with other things to do as youngsters. We saw the school they attended, although they were in different grades and never met until they were out of school, having grown up around the corner and up the street from each other.
Brother Vowels was pretty funny in telling us how they met. He said: "At one point I started taking notice of Denise. So, I took out on a walk from my house up and around to her house. When I got there she was out in the front pulling weeds in the garden. (The Brits call their front lawn a garden.) I just kept walking on down to the end of the street, too nervous to stop. When I got there, I bolstered up my courage and headed back up the street to Denise. When I arrived at my destination, I asked if I could give her a hand. It is all history from there!"
After the personal tour, they took us to the town centre that was equipped with a very large mall and shopping area. Brother Vowels was very anxious to show us a £9,000 cooker so we stopped at the store as we passed by going to the mall. We didn't know what a cooker was, much less if that was a high price. Well, we were surprised to see that a 'cooker' is a stove!
Here it is, the Aga brand cooker, the best in the country. A cooker functions differently than a stove in that it is left on all day long, thus providing heat for the house as well as being ready to use. There are four separate ovens on this one and each one is set a separate temperature and is used for a specific purpose. There is a griddle on top and four burners. You can see the covers on the burners. You can also get them in black, red, or baby blue. Pretty fancy stuff but I cannot see having one in Yuma with your air conditioning running all of the time!
We then went our separate ways checking out all the stores. We found a fabric store and I came away with an advent calendar to sew up for Christmas. We also found a game store and bought a cribbage board. It has been hard finding games that we like to play. Our time was well spent with plenty of stores to look in.
Our next stop was the grocery store. We didn't pick up anything because on Thursday we took Sister George shopping since she was unable to go on the minibus today, so we shopped when we took her.
Friday, we were on the minibus trip to Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Blenheim Palace is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. It was built between 1705-1722. It was built by John Churchill the First Duke of Marlborough, and has remained in the Spencer-Churchill family for the last 300 years.
When we arrived, parked, and walked to the palace where we saw a sign for 'buggy' rides. We were hoping for a real buggy and horse, but this is what we got. There were seven of us, fitting perfectly in. We paid the fee, loaded up, and Richard was behind the wheel. Dad and Sister Strong are taking pictures. Front: Sister Smith & Sister Clark. Middle: Me. Back: Brother and Sister Davis.
For a period of time the palace fell into disrepair and was in need of much attention but there was no money to be had. The Ninth Duke of Marlborough married the American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt and her money was used to restore the palace.
Our buggy ride took us off to the right of the palace into the extensive grounds and across the manmade lake. It was a beautiful day to be outside. Richard was very well versed in telling us about the land and all that we saw.
As we were crossing the bridge, Richard pointed out the tree that has become famous. It was used in one of the Harry Potter movies and had a screen time of about 20 seconds. The kids were rowing in a boat in the lake to the shore, got out and walked to the tree. Even though it was used for 20 seconds, Richard said it too three days to film the scene, which included frogmen in the lake in case the children fell out of the boat.
Coming straight across the bridge, we drove up to the Column of Victory.
Wild life was about and you can see some leaves changing color. The cottage is the game keeper's residence. The stone wall and empty bench seems to be saying something. Do you sit on the bench to rest and find peace, or do you use it to gain height to go over the wall?
Our touring group consisted of Dad & I, Sister Strong, Brother & Sister Davis, Sister Cook, and Sister Smith, kneeling. Richard said this was a good spot to take a photo, so we all jumped out with cameras in hand and then decided we needed him to take a group photo. We were all handing our cameras to him and I pointed out that he would have to look through the lens on ours. He said he knew that because he has a camera like ours.
I asked: "Oh, you are a photographer?" He replied: "Yes, I am. I have taken all the photos on the post cards and calendars in the gift shop." We expressed our surprise and he then proceeded to take our photo.
We concluded our buggy ride back to the palace and thanked Richard for the great time we had. Later, Sister Strong and I were in the gift shop and I remembered what he said about the post cards. I picked one up and sure enough, he is listed as the photographer. Wow, we felt special. I bought one and a pen and then went out to get his autograph. The buggy was gone and as I looked out toward the lake, there he was taking another group on a tour. We got some lunch and afterward I went back out as he was just getting back.
With card and pen in hand I approached him and asked: "Hi, you gave our group a tour earlier this morning and I would like to get your autograph." I extended the card and pen to him.
With surprise in his voice he said: "My, I have never been asked for my autograph before!
As he took the card and pen from me, he saw his fellow worker walking toward the ticket booth and called out to him: "Hey, she wants my autograph! No one has ever wanted it before."
He replied: "Well, I can give her my Blenheim Palace stamp if she wants!"
So, after Richard signed the card, I walked over to the ticket booth and got the Blenheim Palace stamp as well. I made their day and they now have something to talk about.
We were told the 11th Duke of Marlborough was in residence as his car was parked to the left of the palace entrance as this is his living quarters when he is here. Note one of the beautiful ceilings.
The palace is very elaborate with tapestry on many of the walls. They are a sight to behold and very busy in detail and telling the story of one battle after another. The walls of the china room is lined all up and down with plates and cabinets are filled with various sets that have been used in the palace throughout its existence.
Room of importance is the one Winston Spencer Churchill was born in. His mother was a Spencer and was visiting family at the palace when she went into labor and delivered the baby two months early. This is the very bed he was born in.
Winston Spencer Churchill was born, 30 Nov 1874. He was one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century. He was an officer in the British army, a historian, a writer, and an artist. The Hallmark Greeting Card Company used some of his drawings for their cards. He was the only British Prime Minister to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature and was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.
The long hall has a pipe organ at the end. They were setting up for some event that evening and this table seemed to go on forever! It was amazing to watch the caterers in action.
After the palace tour, we had lunch and then caught the teeny tiny train that ran from the palace to a distant car park, and then back. It was a nice little ride through lawns and ancient old trees that grace the property. Some leaves were turning and flowers were here and there.
Back at the palace, we went out into the back lawn. Fountains, hedge sculptures, as well as marble sculptures grace the area. Beyond the lawn is a walk down by the lake that is absolutely beautiful.
As he took the card and pen from me, he saw his fellow worker walking toward the ticket booth and called out to him: "Hey, she wants my autograph! No one has ever wanted it before."
He replied: "Well, I can give her my Blenheim Palace stamp if she wants!"
So, after Richard signed the card, I walked over to the ticket booth and got the Blenheim Palace stamp as well. I made their day and they now have something to talk about.
From the buggy ride, we then entered the courtyard of the palace to begin our tour inside.
Left is entry into the courtyard and right is entry into the palace.
We were told the 11th Duke of Marlborough was in residence as his car was parked to the left of the palace entrance as this is his living quarters when he is here. Note one of the beautiful ceilings.
The palace is very elaborate with tapestry on many of the walls. They are a sight to behold and very busy in detail and telling the story of one battle after another. The walls of the china room is lined all up and down with plates and cabinets are filled with various sets that have been used in the palace throughout its existence.
Room of importance is the one Winston Spencer Churchill was born in. His mother was a Spencer and was visiting family at the palace when she went into labor and delivered the baby two months early. This is the very bed he was born in.
Winston Spencer Churchill was born, 30 Nov 1874. He was one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century. He was an officer in the British army, a historian, a writer, and an artist. The Hallmark Greeting Card Company used some of his drawings for their cards. He was the only British Prime Minister to have won the Nobel Prize in Literature and was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.
After the palace tour, we had lunch and then caught the teeny tiny train that ran from the palace to a distant car park, and then back. It was a nice little ride through lawns and ancient old trees that grace the property. Some leaves were turning and flowers were here and there.
Back at the palace, we went out into the back lawn. Fountains, hedge sculptures, as well as marble sculptures grace the area. Beyond the lawn is a walk down by the lake that is absolutely beautiful.
At one point the walk was covered over by trees. I came upon this little fishing cottage and walked down onto the pier. I thought of Danny when I read the sign "Catch and Release Fish Only." The water was so serene looking downstream, and then when I turned to look up, here came a couple of geese sailing right along and making a wake!
This was my favorite view.
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