We had made the plans for today and would be visiting Wightwick Manor, but as it was not due to open until mid-day, so whilst I spent the morning working, Diane decided to sort out doonas (duvets), pillows and other things stored in crevices under the bed and dinette.
Those vacuum-pack bags again came in very handy as the bulky items were reduced to much smaller sizes and easily packed away.
We needed to run the engine (just for an hour) for the vacuum cleaner to suck the air out of those packages; also for a bit of a cleanup (the boat looks a lot better on the inside); as well we generated hot water for showers.
With it being so sunny outside and the panels producing over 10 amps we were comfortable with leaving the engine off for the rest of the day.
So we headed off, the satnav indicating that the Manor was only 0.4 miles (640m) away - think that it was out a little bit, but it wasn't really a long way.
Our National Trust memberships got us in free and with being there about 11am we were able to look around the gardens and outer buildings a bit, as well as having time for morning tea, before the manor was open.
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| extensive gardens and the sunshine helped |
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| they smelled as delightful as they looked |
Wightwick Manor was built in the 1880's and so in 1937 when it was being bequeathed to the NT, it was considered not old enough for them - apparently there was a financial advantage offered to the NT to take it on and so we get to look through it.
Unfortunately there was a no inside photographs policy and we only have exterior shots, but it is a remarkable house for it's time.
Being of no set period in the design inside, in fact no set period on the outside, it encompassed an eclectic mix of styles and recycling of other objects.
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| The front door |
It was a very large home and even today the family retains a quite large apartment in the upper floor with 4 bedrooms, 2 sitting rooms, kitchen, bathroom etc - the private quarters.
There are a number of NT personnel spread out through the premises to give you a very informative explanation of various rooms and to answer any of your questions.
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| just a little different - the chimneys |
On the way back we stopped for lunch at The Mermaid pub (part of The Vintage chain) for a very nice lunch indeed - over indulging by not too much but enough to quell any desire for much to else for the rest of the day.
As expected, when we arrived back on board the batteries were fully charged and even though the tennis was back on the TV, they remained in that state for the remainder of the day.
Yet another evening of the world cup beckons and with an interesting situation in Group E we look forward to 2 more good games.
Tomorrow it will be cruising again and we expect to turn left at Autherley Junction and be back on the Shroppie for the first time in 6 years.
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