Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Castle Combe Village: The Manor and the Garden
Continuing with England photos I coaxed from my Android phone, I go from a hike in the English countryside to features of old Castle Combe village itself, where treasures from the past and a primitive settlement that seems the very essence of picturesque is deemed tourist-worthy, but nothing to get worked up about.
Once she’d pried me from our comfortable lodgings along the By Brook, my sister walked me through the graveyard and the church, where a knight was buried. But, my little brother wanted to know, had I seen the manor? To my surprise, when we proceeded around a corner and past the church, we came upon a driveway, and then vast lawns with a manor house dominating the grounds. A tour of some ancient aristocratic residence had been on my wish list for England, and although we got only a glimpse of the interior, I felt satisfied. However, I was especially content after I treated myself to a private viewing of the old garden.
Ah, the good old days of Feudalism. Note: Apparently, the manor and garden are much greener in the summer. We were there in early April. It’s a different visual experience in the right season.
This was bigger and more rambling than it looked at first sight. It went on and on. We did get up the courage to go inside, as we were not sure what the hotel’s policy was on tourist riff-raff actually entering the building to gawk. We were treated to paneled walls and a brief view of a classy bar before a voice said, “Are you okay? Are you okay?” After which we tramped back out to the damp, cloudy spring day.
Why, splendid, inviting stairs! Leading to what? It must be the garden up there. Were we allowed, or would that be trespassing? I would find out the next morning.
It seems we were indeed allowed to climb the staircase into the old garden. The next morning, after I had packed my things, I left the busy house and took a quiet stroll here amongst the statues, gravel walks, and private alcoves. No one stopped me, and there were no posted signs that shooed me away. Apparently, this is a well-known site. Here is a lithograph of the garden from the 1800s.
Pretend this photo isn’t blurry.
Is this real? And I didn’t have to buy a ticket to see it?
There was a view somewhere beyond the trees that my camera didn’t think was important. I wanted to catch the expanse of land I could see from here.
I believe these covered benches flanked the main alcove. Symmetry was important to the designers.
What else was here? Maybe it shows up in the summer.
I just took off My glasses and it looks perfect.
Great! Thanks, Jimmy.
I’ve been watching the long-running British series “Escape to the Country” on Amazon just to see the wonderfully varied English, Scottish and Northern Irish countryside. Such extremes of geography in such a small nation!
If I put my glasses on, everything looks blurry. I use them only to drive or for eye protection. (An eye appointment is coming up shortly.) All the photos looked good to me. I bet they will continue to look good after I get new glasses.
Very fun!!!!!!
Great pics.