Set off from Bethnal Green with the idea of having morning tea with a friend in Oxford, in reality we arrived in time for lunch, takes more time than you think to get anywhere around London.
Enjoyed lunch at Blackmans bookshop cafe and were taken on a tour of the Norrington Room it is named after Sir Arthur Norrington, the President of Trinity College and extending under part of Trinity College. It boasts three miles (5 km) of shelving and at 10,000 square feet (930 m2) merited an entry in theGuinness Book of Records as the largest single room selling books. It has various levels and a great venue for plays which are held at various times throughout the year.
Wandered around Oxford for a few hours after lunch, it was a miserable day cold & windy, so we were pleased to get back to the car to warm up.
Arrived at Coln Rogers at 4.30 in time for afternoon tea and a warmup in front of the Arga.
Wiggy was in good form but Nicky was a bit stressed because the ************* his computer had died, fortunately it had happened before we arrived so nothing to do with us.
14th June
Drove to Great Barrington, Nicky wanted to see the Manor house and Church where his ancestors are buried, Barrington Park, a Palladian manor house built by Charles, Lord Talbot, in 1737. Talbot was Lord Chancellor to George I, and there are several fanciful Talbot monuments in the church that stands beside the manor. Above the manor, in isolated splendour on the exposed hilltop is a domed 18th century folly built in classical style.
The church of St Mary dates back to the Norman period, though much of what can be seen today dates from the early Tudor era. One surviving Norman feature is the beautifully carved chancel arch, still looking crisp and clean, as if the Norman workmen had just laid down their tools. There are Talbot family monuments in the chancel, and a lovely Jacobean effigy of Cpt. Edmond Bray in the south aisle.
We spent some time peering over a wall trying to get a good view of the Manor then headed off to a wine bar nearby for lunch and a wonder round the village.
We went for a walk around the garden and inspected the Shepherd's hut that Nicky has restored, we sat inside out of the wind a great place for the grandchildren to play.
15th June
After breakfast we went for a walk to the hamlet across the water meadows from the house to see Sophia's cottage and inspect the work being done on Harry's. Sophia came to lunch it was great to see her again and catchup with her work news. We said our goodbyes after lunch and headed off to Cheasley.