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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2010 17:51:17 GMT
But I absolutely love the moss on those stones!
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Post by spindrift on Apr 13, 2010 17:57:46 GMT
That was the 'shady garden' .... all moss, very damp. Of course not! How differently we see things! It reminded me of something else..... something familiar.
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Post by fumobici on Apr 13, 2010 18:11:48 GMT
Just beautiful pictures. English historic architecture has a quirky charm that seems unique to England. Buildings of a similar age in other parts of Europe seem comparatively lacking in something- and I can't put my finger on it, though it's somehow softer and more bucolic.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 13, 2010 18:13:24 GMT
fumobici - you are exactly right
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2010 19:39:46 GMT
I would venture to say however that many British castles do indeed appear to be for military defence. The castles of Germany, France and Italy often look more like pleasure palaces.
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Post by bazfaz on Apr 13, 2010 20:26:20 GMT
I think in France there are chateaux and chateaux forts. the latter are like British castles.
Spindraft, thank you so much for directing me to this thread. You have done a wonderful travelogue. with brilliant photos. I have just been a bit busy recently or I would have looked. Apologies.
You have done a wonderful thread.
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Post by fumobici on Apr 13, 2010 21:14:33 GMT
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Post by spindrift on Apr 13, 2010 21:17:49 GMT
Yes, indeed, I see what you mean....
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2010 22:35:16 GMT
Deyana - I'd love to stay with your mother and show you around Kent. We could have lunch with my friends too There is so much to see in Kent. I have never visited Canterbury and I'd love to spend some time there. Oh that would be just great, Spinny! I actually went to Canterbury college and explored the area quite well some years back now. It's a really interesting historic place to see.
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Post by gertie on Apr 13, 2010 23:43:24 GMT
What a nice thread, I love all the pictures, Spinny As for the rudimentary bathroom, hang on there, K2. We were shown the rudimentary bathroom in the Tower of London - really just a version of an outhouse attached to in this particular case the second floor (French first floor) with pipes leading out to the mote. We were told buckets of water were periodically thrown down it in order to keep the smell down. I don't see why something similar wasn't possible here, though yes, I know they used chamber pots, too. Somewhere along my travels in London, I also saw a potty chair for adults that we were told dated to the 1600s. It looked like your average all-wood dining captain's chair with a hole in the middle. Btw, does anyone else find it vaguely disturbing how much we do tend to go on about animal droppings, bathrooms, latrines, outhouses, and the like around here?
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 14, 2010 2:03:06 GMT
What an extravaganza of beauty, Spindrift ~~ thank you!
I think I liked the less formal parts the best, although the showy parts are quite fine as well. Can we assume that different parts of the castle, the outbuildings, and the gardens accumulated in different centuries under different owners? The free-standing columns in the garden, for instance -- to give a folly-like air to the area? The very elaborate, somehow non-English appearing fountain was a surprise.
In #23, the views of the stones making up the castle are just beautiful. Also, the willow tree in the last pic in that Reply is gorgeous. I love the cowardly lion in #25, but the mossy stones truly stole my heart.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 14, 2010 7:55:02 GMT
Yes, the gardens were laid out early in the 1900s by Lord Astor. Previously there had been marshy land to the side of the castle. This he turned into gardens and the lake. Since he was an immensely rich man he must have brought in all the ancient stonework from Italy. The formal garden is called the Italian garden. You are correct in thinking that the outbuildings were added on.... Lord Astor had them built, reflecting Tudor style, for his staff. They blend in very well on the whole. He also planted a maze. I was so impressed by the design of the shady side of the Italian garden. The entire side has been designed in 'grotto' style that, being so beautiful, took my breath away. There are ancient mossy stones arranged with little streams and dripping fountains. I very rarely go to so-called Stately Homes but I thoroughly recommend a visit to Hever, probably on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2010 16:31:30 GMT
Bathroom has a different meaning in Europe, Gertie. It is a room where you wash yourself. People did not much do that in those days.
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Post by gertie on Apr 14, 2010 21:29:38 GMT
Oh. Drat. Just when I think I start to get a handle on things... Although of course bathroom makes more sense for divided bath.
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Post by spindrift on Apr 15, 2010 19:05:13 GMT
Bixa - yes, I confirm that they are bullrushes. My friend said that they have to be 'culled' during the summer otherwise they take over the entire pond.
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 17, 2010 21:57:07 GMT
Thank, Spindrift. Cattails/bulrushes are not uncommon in the States, & can indeed go crazy in the right environment.
Thanks for all the interesting information. Lord Astor really did an informed and sensitive "fixing up", didn't he?
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