"Christmas" at Chatsworth

Without having a Thanksgiving this year to jump start the Christmas spirit, I thought we would try by visiting a manor home that was all decked out.  For this, we chose Chatsworth.  You may recall that this was our first outing way back in April.  Hard to believe we are starting to repeat some things!

Chatsworth is a stately home and estate in north Derbyshire and the Peak District.  It's just under an hour away.  One can tour the home, gardens and farmyard (for a not so insignificant fee).  At this time of year, they also had some Christmas market stalls set up as well.  Given the free Saturday and favorable forecast, we decided a return trip was in order.

Chatsworth is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.  Nicole asked a very good question:  Why is the Duke of Devonshire (SW England) in Derbyshire (central England)?  Short answer:  I have no idea!   I assume some Cavendish worked his way up the royal food chain and was given the title way, way back.

There are some interesting facts from the wikipedia page linked above.  Bess built the "new" Chatsworth home in 1553.  She outlived her hubby and passed it to her 2nd son, the 1st Earl of Devonshire.  By the time the 4th Earl came along, he'd "earned" the title Duke (i.e. 1st Duke of Devonshire).  The current Duke is the 12th for those keeping score at home.  So that's the original family + 3 Earls + 1 Earl-to-Duke + 11 more Dukes.

The movie Duchess with Keira Knightley was based on Duchess Georgiana Cavendish who was married to the 5th Duke in the 18th century.  I believe some scenes were filmed here but more were filmed at nearby Kedleston Hall (practically in our back yard . . . sort of).


As with many of these huge estates, the estate/inheritance/death tax caused all sorts of problems and is how many homes end up with the National Trust (this one is not NT but there is an overriding private trust managing now).

Another tidbit:  Most of the UK's country houses were put to institutional use during World War II. Some of those used as barracks were badly damaged, but the 10th Duke, anticipating that schoolgirls would make better tenants than soldiers, arranged for Chatsworth to be occupied by Penrhos College, a girls' public school in Colwyn Bay, Wales. The contents of the house were packed away in eleven days and 300 girls and their teachers moved in for a six-year stay. The whole of the house was used, including the state rooms, which were turned into dormitories. Condensation from the breath of the sleeping girls caused fungus to grow behind some of the pictures!

Now, more about our day . . . 

Following the masses in the house, which we decided to visit straight away.  It was a bright, sunny day though cool and crisp.  The west side of the house wasn't get much sun at this point.

I think everyone should have an angry boar waking up from a nap sculpture in their entryway.

The first 2 floors were nicely decorated and generally not overdone.

They did have a set of absolutely massive Wise Men though.  I had to take 2 pictures because Alex didn't want to stand next to the "pink guy".

his turn

sleigh ride -- Alex looks thrilled.  The reindeer were doing a little shimmy too.

Nicely laid out dining room.  Alex:  "I'd hate to be their son and have to set that table!"

After the house, it was up to the farmyard.  Had to get a few shots of farm animals (for Jay and all those who expect nothing less).  Here's Billy.

. . . and the chicken with hairy legs & feet . . .

. . . hmm, bacon and bacon-to-be 

The farmyard has a nice playground for a range of ages (including ours!).  This zipline was probably Alex's favorite part of the whole day.  Nicole, waiting her turn, also had a go.

I had to get this blue sky shot while watching the kids play.  Beautiful day.

Great shot of my girls "enjoying" a hot drink.  Unfortunately, it was more of a scalding drink (US lawyers would have a field day).  Nicole (and Alex out of view) went for the usual hot chocolate.  Kuk and I tried the holiday tradition of mulled (heated/spiced) wine.  They can keep that tradition . . . we'll leave it here thanks.

After frying our taste buds we headed to the market set up between the old stables (far end) and the house.  Stalls and people as far as the eye can see.  We enjoyed looking in the booths and bought a few things (cheese, jewelry, but not cheese jewelry fortunately) but it didn't meet my expectation for a traditional  "Christmas Market"  even though I don't know what that is (we will try one it a couple of weeks I hope).

After the market is was back to the garden (helps to say gaaahrden to get set the high-society mood).  Jokes aside, it is a nice back yard with sculptures, fountains, trees, etc.).  We enjoyed our walk.
 

there were a few climbing opportunities . . .

. . . and clowning opportunities . . . 

"weeping" willow with rainbow (sprinklers were set up in the tree)

more climbing

We had fun in the hedge maze as well.

All in all, another fine day.  We set off for home around 3.  It was still light out but the sun had set behind the hills.  It really messes with your body clock.  We were tired from the standing/walking but the setting sun made us feel really tired!

And here is a view out our study window the next morning (today).  A wee bit foggy today.  It lifted a little but not much.  Weather here can change quickly and it's always good to take advantage of the nice days when they happen.

Hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving.  It will be odd to be working Thursday & Friday.  We'll manage just fine though.

Thanks for reading.

Nottingham

Today (Sunday) we decided it was time to head to Nottingham of Robin Hood fame.  It's only about 30 minutes away yet we had not been since a quick drive around during our pre-assignment visit.  On tap for the day were a jail/courthouse museum, England's oldest pub, and a "castle".

The driving was easy as it was closer than I thought.  Parking was another matter.  Actually this is fairly typical.  I may have been able to find something on the street but I decided to play it safe and find a garage since we might be there all day.  The garages and parking spaces are tight.  Very tight.  It pays to back in.  In this case, I had everyone get out and put her close to the wall so I could get out (steering wheel on the right, of course)!

Random shot.  When we walked from the garage through the city center we passed a modern art museum.  You might be able to notice the large windshield wipers on the glass (yes they were moving).

First stop was the Galleries of Justice which is based at Nottingham’s old courthouse and gaol [jail].

Nicole had a turn in the stocks before our tour started.

 as did Alex

Here are the unlucky convicts on our way to the dungeon.

But first, the courthouse.  Of course I was selected to be the criminal (Robin Hood in this case).

After the court "case" all of us where send down to the jail.

Here we are enclosed in the dark of the jail cell.  This was the posh cell for those with money.  Prisoners had to pay for the cell, a hammock and chamber pot or do without.  The poor folks who had no money were down in the pit.

The tour continued on and we got to see the bath (here) along with some other aspects of initial incarceration.

The jails were mainly temporary holding cells until trial and then until the sentencing was carried out.  Sometimes that was a "simple" flogging or a not so simple execution.  Those that needed to serve time were given a transportation sentence of 7, 10, 14 years or life.  Transportation meant that were shipped to colonies like America and Australia.  Over 162,000 were shipped out over time.  

Not sure the vintage, but there was a old police car in the courtyard.

Having escaped the jail it was time for lunch.  We did have to stop to see the statue of everyone's favorite thief, Robin Hood.  They had some nice story boards sprinkled throughout the city center giving information about the legend.

Seeing as how the oldest pub in England is in Nottingham, we had to have lunch there. (Thanks for the tip, Jay).    Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is carved into the castle (sandstone) rock and dates back to the time of King Richard the Lionheart and the Crusaders.   Legend has it that these Crusaders stopped off at the Inn at the foot of the Castle for welcome refreshments – or perhaps more accurately, for ‘one for the road’ (from the website).

Prior to devouring my Sunday beef roast, I got the ale sampler or "Trip n Mix".  From left to right are Knight's Tale, Olde Trip, and Rock Mild.  All were fine but perhaps a bit hoppier than I like.  The quest for the perfect beer will have to continue.

I didn't get a good photo, but the rooms in the pub were really neat.  There were a half dozen or so small rooms that were almost caves carved into the stone.

Not everything was 900 year old.  The restroom had this fine coin operated number in it.  What's that Daddy?  Go ask your mother . . . (actually I told him to ask me again in a few years).

Next stop was a pleasant surprise:  Museum of Nottingham Life at the Brewhouse Yard.  It was next door to Ye Olde Trip and featured some of the same man-made, sandstone caves.  I particularly like the exhibit that showed how the caves were used for bomb shelters.  We hear a lot about WWII (and some WWI) and the sacrifices made by those who fought in the wars.  However, having your city bombed brings things to a whole 'nother level.

Example war time poster

Not sure of the vintage of the house that the museum was set in, but it obviously was at a time when the Brits were vertically challenged.

here's a good look at Castle Rock and some of the exposed caves

Next up was the Nottingham "Castle". Here's the gate house.

Here's the "castle".  We have been spoiled by castles and this one doesn't quite measure up.  There used to be a real castle here but it went into decline in the 16th century and was demolished, more or less, in the 17th century.  Then, they built a mansion on the site but the inside was gutted by rioters in 1831 (Industrial Revolution).  The interior is now an oddly laid out mis-mash museum.
 

Couldn't pass up the cheesy photo op though.  By the way, "me duck" is a term of endearment (of sorts) around these parts.  Can't say it's caught on with us yet.

All in all a good day.  It was nice to get out and try some new sites.  We have a couple of other sites near Nottingham to try another time.  Nottingham is not in the "oh you really must go there" category but it was fun day out nonetheless. 

Thanks for reading.

Frolickling Fiendish Feet Fish and more

I thought I would capture a few minor updates here in a separate post.  One thing that appears to be popular here in the UK (or at least Derby) is fish pedicures.  I don't recall seeing them at all in the States.  I'm guessing that's for health/legal reasons and there have been some murmurings here that it isn't 100% safe.

At any rate, you basically stick your tired, calloused feet in a tank with special fish that literally eat your dead skin.  What a novel idea (. . . . for Kuk).  I purchased a Groupon voucher (coupon) some time back for a minimal investment and Kuk finally cashed it in on Saturday.  From the website:

The nibble loving Garra Rufa fish feed on the dead skin, bacteria and impurities of the human body, leaving you with smooth, baby-soft, and young new skin. The nibbling of the fish also helps release the tension in your feet and boosts blood circulation, relaxing both body and mind.

Kuk's view:  I could feel the nibbling and it tickled.  My feet did come out amazingly smooth.  I didn't care for it when they moved on to my ankles though.  Glad I did it, don't need to do it again.

Let's hope any of the hepatitis / HIV customers were sitting at the other tanks . . . 

A few more miscellaneous comments from the weekend:

I still try to do the bulk of the grocery shopping on either Saturday or Sunday.  Here's the result:  our poor, overstuffed refrigerator.  I particularly like the large broccoli stalk propped up this week (that's good that we have too much fruit & veg to fit in the lower bins).  By the end of the week it will just about be empty save a few sauces, etc.  I find the weekly emptying to bring a peculiar sense of satisfaction that I can't really explain.  It's just as well that the fridge doesn't hold much since things don't really keep that well anyway.  In fact, it's usually canned vegetables and powdered coffee creamer by Friday.

In the that doesn't happen back in Indy category:  this past week the fridge was empty enough that we decided to eat out or get take out (that's not the rare part).  It'd been awhile since we went to our "local" (pub) but Nicole emphatically requested Indian takeout.  What?  She's a big Chicken Tikka Masala fan (the national dish of England).  We are fortunate that a really nice restaurant (Anoki) does 50% off for takeout during the week so that's what did.  It's essentially been Asian weekend since we had that for 2 meals and Korean for another two.  Yummy.

I thought I couldn't be shocked about prices but I was wrong.  My car had been giving me ambiguous, sporadic warnings that I finally figured out was a low oil warning.  There are no Autozones here so I decided to buy a quart (okay, a liter) at the convenience store (you have to go in to pay anyway).  Holy cow.   Regular fossil fuel oil was 7 GBP (pounds) and the semi-synthetic I bought was 10 GBP.  That's $16 for 1 quart!  I can get my oil changed for that at Car-X back home.  I'll have to look around to see if there's a better place to pick that stuff up because that's ridiculous.  That's one of those subtle things about living in a different country -- you aren't exactly sure where to get certain things.

More on our weekend adventures in the next post.  Thanks for reading.

Halloween and more

I've got a few minor updates to catch everyone up on.  First up:  Halloween.  Given the fact that we had a couple of hectic weeks leading up (including Rome) and our general lameness, we scrambled to find Alex a Halloween costume.  To be fair, we (Kuk) didn't wait until the very last minute.  So, our little devil was playing it straight, so to speak.

Quite a different experience this year.  First of all, Nicole stayed home for the first year (getting older and all).   Second, it's not quite up to speed here.  Alex and I walked around with our neighbors and knocked off a few houses nearby and then into the village.  Evidently the "I'm in" sign for the houses is to have decorations (or a pumpkin) out, not just a porch light.  [Hmm no wonder we didn't get any visitors.  Living on a hidden cul de sac doesn't help either.]  The participation level was definitely less than back home, but that's okay.  Alex had fun even though his haul was down from previous years.

We came off daylight savings time a week earlier (10/30) than in the US.  That really wreaks havoc on all those US/UK meetings we have set up at work.  Glad to see you join us this week. 

Remember back in the summer when I was talking about 17 hours of sunlight?  That's long gone.  With the clock roll back it's starting to get dark at 4:30 and quite dark when I leave to get the kids at 5.  For now, it's light in the morning on the way to work but who knows how much longer that will last.

This weekend was Bonfire Night or more specifically Guy Fawkes Night (Nov 5). Guy Fawkes was a member of the group who planned the failed Gunpower Plot to blow up the Parliament and King James I in 1605.  It was snuffed out and bonfires have been set every since.  The plot was essentially a religious power play Catholics over Protestants but that bit is glossed over these days from what I can tell.  It's the biggest fireworks night of the year (like our July 4th) and in fact there have been fireworks going off most of the week.

Well, I blew it.  I had a great idea to go to Tutbury Castle to see a re-enactment and watch the bonfire/fireworks there.  It was such a good idea that I invited our friends, newly arrived ex-pats, the Seppanens along.  I was slow playing the ticket purchase to get a read on the weather and by the time I got off the fence, it was sold out.  At least the Seppanens got to go!  Lesson learned.  There was also a big fireworks display in town at nearby Markeaton Park, but it started too early for our schedule (Nicole was at a birthday party).  Oh well.

We ended up going to our favorite Chinese restaurant, New Water Margin.  While there, in walks Craig Davis, Kuk's former boss (from 2 jobs ago) from Indy.  Small world!

Thinking it's time to start doing some indoor activities, we decided to head to Cadbury World.  (Ironically it was an absolutely gorgeous day -- you simply cannot plan on the weather here).  Cadbury is the UK national chocolate more or less.  Like Hershey's but better (way better according to the Brits).  It's certainly milkier.  We all went on the little tour through the place seeing how the chocolate is made (more through videos than any live action -- trade secrets and all).  Plenty of "free" samples.

Pictures of the factory weren't allowed.  I decided to keep the animal theme going with this cow shot though it's not quite the same as on our hikes.  Cadburys is known for MILK chocolate, hence the cows.

This sample caught our eye.  It's not often you see a chocolate shoe.  Plus, I like the word bespoke [unique] which you don't hear much in the US.

Ah, the gift shop.  Just what every kid needs -- a kilogram (2.2 lbs) of chocolate.  Despite the low Halloween take, we passed on the megabar though we did purchase some smaller treats.

In another part of the tour, we got to "make" our own chocolate.  Well, we got to tell the guy what to dump our chocolate on.  Alex is digging into his chocolate covered popcorn (bleah).

We didn't diss our friends the Seppanens (Lori and Jay) all weekend.  We actually all went to Cadbury World together.  Glad we got to spend the day with them and look forward to other opportunities.  They've just recently arrived from the US and will be good to share our experiences.  Jay has the blogging bug and you can catch him here.

One final comment before leaving you:  Kuk passed her driving test too!  She actually took it the day before we left for Rome.  It such a good feeling to not have any more lessons or have the test hanging over our heads.  (No more handbrake/neutral for us automatic drivers either!).

Until next time . . .