At Jane Austen's house in Chawton, Hampshire, 25 May 2015

We had thought of several options for trips this day, but really did not come up with anything.  We decided to stay home.  Dad was getting a little stir crazy so he started checking distances to a couple of places and said Chawton wasn't too far of a drive so why not go.  We called a couple of single sisters to join us but they had other plans.  We called the Tooley's and they were happy to join us.  Off we went for a most delightful trip and a wonderful adventure at Jane Austen's home.

This was Jane Austen's last home where she lived with her mother, and sister Cassandra, from 1809-1817.  Here she revised her earlier manuscript novels Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey and also wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion.

This is the front view of the home.  The left side has a lovely view with flower vines growing over two doors.  That is the traditional view that is usually seen.  Did I take a picture of it?  No!  But, I did get Dad and I in front of it.

We came through on the right side of the house to this patio where we entered the gift shop on the right to purchase tickets.  I cannot believe all they have in the gift shop!  The open door straight ahead, is bakehouse, below.  Breads and heavy cooking was done here to keep the heat away from the main house.

The carriage is the type used in Jane's time.

There were not many blossoms in bloom in the garden due to the late season.  The walk around the hedge was nice.

The kitchen has an outside door next to a door that enters the house.  Here is where the meals were prepared.  There are quill pens and an ink well on the table where you could try your hand at writing with them.  I tried it and it wasn't very easy.  The continual dipping in the ink well got tiring.  For Jane to write books was quite an effort.

This is Jane's original writing table.  Boy, I thought I would need more room than that.  Her daily routine was:  breakfast, dress, write, lunch, walk with Cassandra about the village, and in the evening they sat together and read or sewed.  All women during that period were skilled in sewing.

Half way up the stairs we could see into Mrs. Austen's bedroom.  The stairs creaked all the time.  As Dad said:  "You can't sneak up on anyone here!"

Jane and Cassandra shared this bed and room while in this house.

And, I had the joy of playing this 1810 Square Piano!  It was made by Clementi in London and may be similar to the one Jane bought after arriving here.  She also played as women who were accomplished could play the piano.

Note how the sound board is lying flat and runs the width of the piano.  There was one pedal that was a soft pedal.  When I used it the keyboard dropped but the sound was the same.  It was out of tune but still a thrill to play it.

Dining room table.

This portrait of Jane's brother Edward, hangs in the vestibule.  He was to inherit several estates due to the death of a cousin and this house was one of them.  He gave it to Jane's mother for them to live in. The guide telling me about the portrait, etc, is a descendent of Edward.  He was a delightful man and interesting to listen to.  I purchased a small book and then asked him for his signature.  He was surprised but happy to sign it.  The other workers then teased him about being popular.

We walked down the lane to see Edward's house and the village church.  His house is quite a sight from the lane.  All of the farm buildings are behind the trees to the left.  The church is behind the trees to the right.

 St Nicholas Church, Chawton

Northanger Benefice

Winchester Diocese

 People have worshipped here for over 750 years. The building was burned in 1872 and rebuilt excepting the sanctuary, which survived the fire.

The gravestones of Jane's mother, Cassandra Elizabeth, and her sister, Cassandra.  They are in the church cemetery.  Jane is buried in Winchester Cathedral, 30 miles away.

This interesting tree stands in the church cemetery.

One tall tree standing on the lane to Edward's home.

 We enjoyed walking in the village and taking pictures of the beautiful houses, buildings, and flowers.

 I do like doors!

Now, I think I could live here!  The homes and gardens are amazing.

We enjoyed lunch at the Greyfrier's Pub situated across the street from the Austen house.  It made for a very nice adventure in seeing something new to us.

Temple Week #50, 19-25 May 2015

We were on the early shift this week.  The temple was slow but patrons that did come did lots of work.  We were both on regular lines, meaning we were doing this and that and something else.  Our afternoons and evenings were filled with errands, etc.

We were off to Spire Gatwick Hospital after shift on Tuesday.  Dad had an appointment with a dermatologist whose office is at hospital.  The weather had turned stormy with lightening and thunder, but we made the drive in spite of wind, rain, and hail.  It was quite the journey but we made it there safely.  The doctor took a biopsy of the place on Dad's face and assured us that it was one of two types of growth, neither of which was a concern.  He just wanted to know how to treat it.

Wednesday night was family home evening for our shift.  The Allen's gave a lesson on the atonement and then Brother and Sister Walters put on a skit he had written.  Oh, it was funny.  Brother Walters is quite the entertainer and really gets into his parts.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  He speaks like a real English bloke and at times it was very difficult to understand.  Dad and I were in charge of games and taught Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar.  Some knew it, some learned quickly, and some were just silly with it.

The Tooley's are still trying to get used to being here.  We took them with us on Thursday when we went to the chiropractor.  After that we went to the grocery store, craft store, and then to eat at Toby Carvery.  They were so excited to go to a different store and really liked the super store.  She was wanting to buy knitting needles and when she saw we were at a craft store, well that just sealed the deal of having a good time.  They enjoyed the English meal and being in the car with us, talking, sharing, and laughing.  They could not thank us enough when we got back from the outing.

Sister Smith came over for us to visit teach her.  She prefers to come here as it gives her an outing of her tiny flat.  We enjoyed the lesson with discussion and then she and I played a few rounds of Bananagrams.  It did break up the evening.

Natalie had a barbecue Saturday.  We went after shift and enjoyed being there.  She had the missionaries, Elder Hafen & Elder Wetsel from America, her friends Theresa & Ron McQueen (he is American and she is Asian), and Theresa's friends Chris & Jan, our age.  We enjoyed meeting new people and sharing life experiences.  Theresa grilled the meat and it was delicious.  We had beef, chicken, sausage, and pork.  All of the sides added nicely to the meal.  Natalie lives on the fourth floor of the building and has a full patio. What a view of Crawley we had and could even see further.

I baked my first loaf of bread here in England.  I was surprised at how well it turned out.  I guess a year of learning how to run the oven, use the bakeware, and know how to use their ingredients is beginning to pay off.

It was pretty yummy as well!

Dad said this biscuit was for Gabe.  He always likes his biscuits with jam or honey.

The weather is cooler than it was this time last year when we got here.  The buds and blossoms are later in coming out so it is becoming quite the land of color.

Today we remember the fallen in military service. Memorial Day originally was known as Decoration Day, and began in 1868 following the Civil War. It was a time to "decorate" the graves of those who lost their lives in service. Since that time, over one million of our choice men and women have died in the cause of freedom. May we always recognize the blessings we have from being an American, living how we choose to live because someone else chose to defend our freedom to do so. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Juliann took her children and paid respect to my Dad, Clyde Jackson Farar, for his military service.

Brynlyn, Adellae, & Collins

Minibus trip to Lavenham, Long Melford, and Cavendish, 8 May 2015

We met and loaded into the minibus in spite of the cold wind and rain and headed out for an adventure.  We enjoyed good conversation in the bus and then sightseeing together.  The "brollys" really came in handy.

Our first stop was in Lavenham, Suffolk.  It is one of the best-preserved and wealthiest towns in Tudor England.  During Medieval times it boosted a booming wool trade that helped establish its wealth.  These half-timbered medieval cottages are a site to see.

 Typical Tudor architect.

 Buildings and streets leaned this way and that way and the multicolors helped accentuate their "leaning" qualities.

We guess they are sturdy enough to be lived in, because people do live in them.  I felt like I was looking in a distorted mirror.

This is a wisteria vine.  The soft lavender colored blossoms have a sweet aroma.  We enjoyed just standing there and smelling them.

 Notice how each blue door is at a different distance from the sidewalk.

This pub is getting a new thatched roof.  We were intrigued with watching the men work in the rain.

 Another thatched roof.

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church in Lavenham, was rebuilt between 1485-1525.  A church has existed on this site since c.1340.  Sister Christensen and Sister George are trying to keep the brollys under control while Dad poses and I take photos in the rain.  We enjoyed our tour of the church as a man inside was very willing to tell us about the building and some of the people who were parishioners.  

 The Nave.

 The ceiling.

Note the small windows at the top with stars and some colored.  They are original windows from when the church was rebuilt in the 1400's.  All the lower windows were blown out when King Henry VIII went on his rampage to destroy the Catholic Churches.

 The stained glass windows were beautiful.  The colors are deep and vibrant in tone.

Our next stop was the village of Long Melford.  It too, was a wool trade village in medieval times and sits on the River Stour.   We were there long enough to get a bite to eat and brave the rain back and forth to the minibus.  Dad did stop for a picture of him in front of a very short door.

We continued to brave the rain and traveled on to the village of Cavendish.  We were not there very long but did get out and do some sightseeing and shopping.

 The buildings seem to be upright.

 Another thatched roof and the building is pink, just like the one in Lavenhan.

Dad stopped off at the church.

  St Mary The Virgin's Church is a 14th century building.

"He's done preachin' and gone to meddlin'."

One of the grave stones in the church.

Sister George by "her" pub.

While Dad was off taking pictures, some of us went into the charity shop.  There were a lot of fun things to look at and this writing box immediately caught my eye.  I opened it up and checked it and considered how I would get it home to America in one piece.  I went on looking at other things and then returned to the box.  Sister George saw me looking at it and came over and like myself, enjoyed taking a look at it from top to bottom, from inside to outside.  Sister George said it isn't really old, maybe made in the 20' or 30's.  I told her that was like a hundred years ago and she thought a moment and agreed, realizing it is old!  In the end I bought it.  

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