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Saturday 30 April 2016

Exploring Blenheim

Laura decided to take her little brother to Blenheim Palace on the Sunday after Easter.  

In the long library they found the coronation robes which the family had used when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.
Laura and Edmund with the Blenheim Palace Coronation robes
The information board about the Coronation clothes
In the long Library is a historic Willis pipe organ - it was being played for the Sunday afternoon recital by an organist called Jonathan Kingston
Laura and Edmund were impressed with the sound of the Blenheim Palace Willis organ, even though it needs restoration it still sounded good because the organist was so good at avoiding the bits which didn't work.
Outside Edmund found a milestone path about Churchill
Laura and Edmund looked up at the bust of Winston Churchill in the milestone path, which was surrounded by daffodils
Next they visited the Blenheim cascade
Edmund and Laura stood on the bridge below the cascade and looked up at the falling water
Then they walked up to the viewpoint beside the cascade to get another look - it was very noisy
The information board about the Blenheim Palace cascade
On the walk along the lake back towards the house Laura and Edmund found the boat house
Edmund REALLY wanted to have a ride in a boat
Near the house were the water terraces, Edmund wanted to run on the grass to the water and Laura had to restrain him as she didn't think walking on that grass was allowed.
Edmund was a bit disappointed about not being allowed on the grass
However Edmund soon cheered up when he saw there were Easter egg cupcakes and hot chocolate at the Water terrace restaurant
Laura and Edmund found the entrance to the house overlooking the south lawn, which was vast
They stood on the steps in front of the big entrance door to look out at the south lawn
Edmund and Laura found the entrance to the Secret Garden at Blenheim Palace
The Secret Garden had been restored and was just waking up after the winter

Beyond the secret garden was a fountain called the Roundel - Laura and Edmund sat down to rest and watch the water jets spurting out of the centre
Soon it was time to go home - Laura and Edmund had one last look at Blenheim Palace
This happened at the beginning of April, however I've had so little time for blogging because of work and the volunteer project that it is only now, the last day of the month that I was finally able to find a moment to sort my photos of this fun trip.  Last year on Easter day we took Laura to Blenheim Palace however I never edited those photos and they didn't find their way into a blog post.

5 comments:

Serenata said...

Looks like Laura and Edmund had a lovely time exploring Blenheim Palace. This is on our list of places to visit one day. Good thing Laura managed to keep him from running on to the grass :-) A cake always helps to cheer the little ones up. It looked like a very interesting visit.

Dee said...

I know the feeling well about not having enough time with work etc to blog, but it's lovely that you have finally had the chance to share this visit to Blenheim Palace with us.

Loved seeing Laura and Edmund admiring the Queens coronation robes and the Churchill walk looked interesting.Miss Dmd looked nice in the red... what we could see of her ;)

I love organ music , so what a treat to find someone playing on your visit, I'm sure they knew Laura and Edmund were coming, so arranged it specially. Looks like everyone enjoyed the day.

miniaturista said...

Que bien se lo han pasado y que graciosos
Un abrazo
Maite

Kendal said...

Another fab and interesting visit for Laura and little brother, Edmund.
It was lovely that it prompted my remembering the Queen's Coronation again. I was twelve years old then and luckily on holiday from boarding school so able to watch it at home on the TV. My younger sister was 'crowned' Stoke-on-Trent's Maternity Hospital's Coronation baby.
Loved seeing the Winston Churchill statue, surrounding gardens, boat house and waterfall andvwould have liked to have heard the old organ playing in the background.

Ginger said...

Laura and Edmund look like they are having a wonderful time at Blenheim Palace and what a special trip. Thank you for sharing. :) xxx