Chartwell

What do you think about Winston Churchill? He does divide opinion very strongly. I think that if you are going to have a strong opinion, negative or positive, on anything, then you should be able to back up that opinion with facts. I find him interesting. I've read a fair bit about him, starting with his My Early Life and a few others, and seen a few of the movies - The Darkest Hour most recently and The Crown, where John Lithgow gave the performance of a lifetime as a curmudgeonly old bastard. I loved The Crown. I still don't really know enough to  make a statement either way though.

With winter grudgingly coming to an end, and the National Trust opening up the houses in March, Dayne and I headed off to Kent, near Westerham, to Churchill's private home - Chartwell. It was smaller than I expected, but lovely. A real home.

Cafe first for breakfast - yes, sausage rolls. That made Dayne happy.

Then as we were early, into the gardens. Patchy cloud, not very warm.

The mud still hasn't dried up yet, so we tip toed around, slip sliding around the worst patches.

Who knew black swans were so aggressive? They're indigenous to Australia and New Zealand apparently ...

Duck yoga ..

In the distance, Winston and Clementine having a chat.

This is an Oscar Nemons sculpture. We couldn't get close, too much mud apparently. I rather like it.

The Studios, for some reason not open today.

Easter Egg hunt. Dayne was too old to participate. Age discrimination in action.

The first Blue Bells of  the season. There is hope!

Winston was apparently very handy, in between periods in parliament, as well as a prolific painter. It's quite interesting that this feels like he engaged and invested and was involved with the property which makes it feel more personal. Often the National Trust houses feel like showcases rather than homes that were lived in. Beautiful but somewhat impersonal.

Despite his pedigree - being born into an aristocratic family, his periods in parliament and service to the country, Winston wasn't a wealthy man. In 1946 financial constraints forced him to sell the property. Chartwell was acquired by the National Trust with funds raised by a consortium of his friends on condition that the Churchills' retained life-tenancy. After Winston's death, Clementine surrendered occupancy and the Trust opened the home to the public in 1966. It is apparently one of the National Trust's most popular properties.

With still some time on our hands before our allotted entry time into the house, we photo stalked dogs. As you do. Well, not actually, which is why some of the photos are blurry, because it is a bit weird. There were a lot of dogs!

Just an observation, we obviously need to be wearing Wellies. We do own them but you obviously need to be here a lot longer than us to know that only Wellies will do in this mud! It just doesn't occur to us.

Finally, entrance allowed! The decor of the house was apparently Clementine's and is really lovely.

As you would expect, lots and lots of books.

A South African connection here, this is a notice hand written in Afrikaans offering a reward of £25 for the recapture of one Winston Churchill who escaped from Boer custody in 1899. They didn't catch him.

Detail from Tea Time at Chartwell August 1927.
The group consisted of WSC, Therese Sickert, Diana Mitford, Edward Marsh, Frederick Lindemann, Randolph Churchill, Diana Churchill, Clementine Churchill, Walter Richard Sickert.
Painted up by WSC from a photograph by John Fergusson.

So, have I committed to an opinion? Not really. He was such a complex man who put himself out there. Was great in time of crisis, offended many people, saved a lot more, loved his wife, was probably unfaithful at some time, drank a lot of alcohol, had a genius turn of phrase.  More interesting than most.

Cape Town February 2018 part 1

Home, at last. Yes, it's still home, even though I live in England and am settled there. The heart knows best though. It's quite strange to realise and acknowledge that. So what is home? It's belonging, it's easy, it's effortless. It's a gut feeling. Can I live with a foot on either side of the world? I do. Whether it's a good thing remains to be seen. Let me show you what I love about it.

This is the street art on the outside wall of my house. I bought this house almost 20 years ago. When the kids were young we had quite an itinerant life, that was the nature of Richard's work, so as an adult, this is where I have lived longest. It's definitely home. 

Home is also all about friends and family. Kate, the one who lives on that side of the world. Care taker of all the animals - there are many. Skype rocks with laughter at least 3 times a week and WhatsApp supports the cat picture habit.

Nugget, who was Richard's dog, and Josh - who, despite winning at puppy training and being the sweetest boy, is a badly behaved hooligan. Nugget usually looks much woolier, but the meerkat look is the result of a summer haircut.

And this is all I'm going to say about the cats. They own the place.

I'll make an exception for Max. He's 18 years old. Still the boss. This was after a catnip episode.

Friends, burgers at Royale in Long Street. Helen behind the camera. If I look somewhat disengaged it was the bronchitis settling in - yes, on holiday, it's not right

The mountain, spectacular views at every turn.

We've had a long hard winter in the UK, so this sunshine! Blew my mind. It's still Atlantic so the water is cold. The way to get in is slowly, the body goes numb, and then it's glorious.

Occasionally you get to hang out with Penguins.

These two weren't bothered by us at all.

 Just to clarify, we were sitting there first and they approached us. Everyone is animal savvy and wouldn't touch them. Though this one seemed to be looking for a stroke.

Another well kept secret. If you're in Simonstown, look for the yellow umbrellas. The Sweetest Thing - a french patisserie, worthy of the name. Very seldom does a swim happen that doesn't end up here.

Then I had to admit defeat and go to bed for a couple of days.

Stay tuned ... for more family, friends, a spectacular art gallery and a party ...