Where: Bakewell, England
When: April 14, 2012
With: Dave, Lazar, Patricia, Marvilano, and Rahul
On a weekend trip to the Peak District National Park, when I wasn't supposed to be doing anything from the book, lo and behold, I ended up at the Chatsworth House. Well, it may not have been totally by accident. I may have mildly instigated a trip when I realised it was only a short drive from our hotel. POINT BEING, I didn't force the issue, and look what happens. It's fate I'm meant to work my way through this book.
Anyway, we had a very windy drive through the Peak District National Park to get here. All six of us piled into Rahul's car, and unfortunately, Dave drew the short straw and had the added benefit of riding in the trunk. He almost looked as green as the rolling hills around us.
Eventually, we turned off the road onto a small bridge. As we entered the grounds of the estate, we got our first view of the house. Tucked away in the surrounding hill was one of the grandest "houses" I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Chatsworth House is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been passed down through their family since 1549. They have now very kindly opened their home to the masses. So "house" is really not a very indicative name.
We pulled into the parking lot and let a very grateful Dave out of the trunk. We also discovered that the lot doubles as the family's animal graveyard. If Sarah isn't a deer, someone has done Sarah's memory a major disservice.
Heading up the long pathway toward the entrance, the walkway is lined with random animal statues. Some are scary and some...not so much (aka, the warthog). My very eager and willing model Marvilano, showing off the wolf.
The main hall was just a hot mess of stuff. We wandered around, observing all the nuances: men painted into the ceiling with boobs, thistle on every chair to prevent you from sitting down, ping pong tables...
After the main entrance, we entered a long hallway with a bunch of the family's collection of art and heirlooms. It was like being in their attic and finding all the random things they've kept over the years. This photo pretty much sums it up - a crystal rock, a greek statue, and a painting of a religious figure. I liked the giant broken foot statue best.
They also had this weird portrait of a lady that had lights shining behind it. Each section of her face changes colors at different speeds, but goes through the entire spectrum of the rainbow. Therefore, there are thousands and thousands of versions of the photo. They said you could stare at this image for years and not see the same color combination twice.
We next entered the family study. The boys stopped to sit in the massive leather armchairs, reflect and pretend they were smoking cigars while contemplating the great mysteries of life.
The next room was funny because it was described as being "garish and as a result, not to everyone's liking". It didn't look any less crazy than the three rooms we were in, yet they felt the need to apologise. It did, however, have a statue of Saint Bartholomew holding his flayed skin, making this my third St. Bartholomew/flayed skin sighting this year.
After finishing up on the first floor, it was time to head upstairs. The staircase was so large and grand, it felt only fitting to attempt to take prom pictures on it.
In the next hallway was more art, but this time, the modern collection (at least there was a theme, finally).
Next up were the family bedrooms. Each one was more lavish than the next, and included all the plush amenities you'd expect of a Duke's accomodations.
And some more artwork - a statue of Hermes and, because we can't do an English thing without him popping up somewhere, a painting of Henry VIII.
The last part of the house you see before leaving is all the random statues that the family didn't know what else to do with except to line the entrance of their gift shop.
After viewing the inside of the house, it was time to explore the gardens. The weather was erratic, drizzly, and ever-changing - perfect English weather.
The first thing we went looking for in the garden was the maze, which was a maze in and of itself to get to. But it gave us a nice opportunity to explore.
While we all entered the maze at the same time, Dave, of course, found the center first...then proceeded to taunt us all, yelling unmotivating things from his place in the middle. To our friend and former naval officer Rahul, he yelled "How can you call yourself a military expert if you can't find the center of a simple garden maze??" Look at that smug face, staring out from the center.
Lazar made it into the center second, but only with Dave shouting out instructions to him. Therefore, it didn't count, second place was still up for grabs, and my competitive edge to not be last spurred Patricia and me on. We finally found the middle with no help from Dave. While the center was filled with pride, the surroundings were mildly lackluster.
Finally, Marvilano and Rahul entered the maze last, after Lazar went out to find them and bring them back. Here is the picture of the 3 of them, all shamed for not finding it on their own. Marvilano is so ashamed, he won't even look at the camera.
There was this little bodega alongside the lake where we sat looking out over the lake for a few minutes. While the boys sat at the top and talked business school, Patricia and I relaxed in chairs on the bottom, not talking business school.
While wandering around, we saw a sign for a "squirting tree". We had no idea what that meant, so we went to investigate. When we saw this tree, most of us went, oh, well, we didn't expect it to be so...gimmicky - it was like a fake tree with a hose attached to it. However, Marvilano thought it was incredible. Hood up and tied tight around his face, he jumped head first into it. And all with a giant smile on his face...until he realised how wet he was.
And finally, Marvilano and Rahul. Poor Rahul, he does not look as comfortable in front of the camera as Marvilano.
Thus completed the most friend-filled and unexpected item that has been crossed off the list yet. This house was beautiful, its gardens were stunning, and the company made it all the better.
When: April 14, 2012
With: Dave, Lazar, Patricia, Marvilano, and Rahul
On a weekend trip to the Peak District National Park, when I wasn't supposed to be doing anything from the book, lo and behold, I ended up at the Chatsworth House. Well, it may not have been totally by accident. I may have mildly instigated a trip when I realised it was only a short drive from our hotel. POINT BEING, I didn't force the issue, and look what happens. It's fate I'm meant to work my way through this book.
Anyway, we had a very windy drive through the Peak District National Park to get here. All six of us piled into Rahul's car, and unfortunately, Dave drew the short straw and had the added benefit of riding in the trunk. He almost looked as green as the rolling hills around us.
Eventually, we turned off the road onto a small bridge. As we entered the grounds of the estate, we got our first view of the house. Tucked away in the surrounding hill was one of the grandest "houses" I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Chatsworth House is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been passed down through their family since 1549. They have now very kindly opened their home to the masses. So "house" is really not a very indicative name.
We pulled into the parking lot and let a very grateful Dave out of the trunk. We also discovered that the lot doubles as the family's animal graveyard. If Sarah isn't a deer, someone has done Sarah's memory a major disservice.
Heading up the long pathway toward the entrance, the walkway is lined with random animal statues. Some are scary and some...not so much (aka, the warthog). My very eager and willing model Marvilano, showing off the wolf.
As soon as you set foot in the house, you are surrounded by garrishness and opulence. White marble statues, floor to ceiling paintings, and intricate wrought iron abounds from every corner.
The main hall was just a hot mess of stuff. We wandered around, observing all the nuances: men painted into the ceiling with boobs, thistle on every chair to prevent you from sitting down, ping pong tables...
At least Lazar displayed a little class, trying to read up on the room. Unlike the rest of us, giggling and tittering our way through the main entrance.
After the main entrance, we entered a long hallway with a bunch of the family's collection of art and heirlooms. It was like being in their attic and finding all the random things they've kept over the years. This photo pretty much sums it up - a crystal rock, a greek statue, and a painting of a religious figure. I liked the giant broken foot statue best.
They also had this weird portrait of a lady that had lights shining behind it. Each section of her face changes colors at different speeds, but goes through the entire spectrum of the rainbow. Therefore, there are thousands and thousands of versions of the photo. They said you could stare at this image for years and not see the same color combination twice.
We next entered the family study. The boys stopped to sit in the massive leather armchairs, reflect and pretend they were smoking cigars while contemplating the great mysteries of life.
This room also contained the family collection of baby strollers.
The next room was funny because it was described as being "garish and as a result, not to everyone's liking". It didn't look any less crazy than the three rooms we were in, yet they felt the need to apologise. It did, however, have a statue of Saint Bartholomew holding his flayed skin, making this my third St. Bartholomew/flayed skin sighting this year.
After finishing up on the first floor, it was time to head upstairs. The staircase was so large and grand, it felt only fitting to attempt to take prom pictures on it.
Who needs real dogs when your center courtyard has permanent bronze statue greyhounds stuck in the midst of play?
The first room we entered upstairs was the receiving room for the Queen when she stays with the Duke and Duchess. There is a huge memorial to the queen in the middle of the room now, and a very ornately carved fireplace, complete with upside down birds.
Hanging out in the queen's receiving room.
Next up were the royal bedrooms.
The room of illusions - things were painted around the room to play with perspective. There were columns on the ceiling that changed direction as you walked around the room. The only thing that is real in the painting on the right is the doorknob.
In the next hallway was more art, but this time, the modern collection (at least there was a theme, finally).
Next up were the family bedrooms. Each one was more lavish than the next, and included all the plush amenities you'd expect of a Duke's accomodations.
Back down the stairs, we got a glimpse into the family library.
And some more artwork - a statue of Hermes and, because we can't do an English thing without him popping up somewhere, a painting of Henry VIII.
Finally, we got to see the family banquet hall.
The last part of the house you see before leaving is all the random statues that the family didn't know what else to do with except to line the entrance of their gift shop.
After viewing the inside of the house, it was time to explore the gardens. The weather was erratic, drizzly, and ever-changing - perfect English weather.
The first thing we went looking for in the garden was the maze, which was a maze in and of itself to get to. But it gave us a nice opportunity to explore.
Finally, we found it. Didn't look so bad from the top.
While we all entered the maze at the same time, Dave, of course, found the center first...then proceeded to taunt us all, yelling unmotivating things from his place in the middle. To our friend and former naval officer Rahul, he yelled "How can you call yourself a military expert if you can't find the center of a simple garden maze??" Look at that smug face, staring out from the center.
Lazar made it into the center second, but only with Dave shouting out instructions to him. Therefore, it didn't count, second place was still up for grabs, and my competitive edge to not be last spurred Patricia and me on. We finally found the middle with no help from Dave. While the center was filled with pride, the surroundings were mildly lackluster.
We took photos celebrating our accomplishment anyway.
Finally, Marvilano and Rahul entered the maze last, after Lazar went out to find them and bring them back. Here is the picture of the 3 of them, all shamed for not finding it on their own. Marvilano is so ashamed, he won't even look at the camera.
After the maze, we continued wandering through the gardens.
We came out to this lovely little lake.
There was this little bodega alongside the lake where we sat looking out over the lake for a few minutes. While the boys sat at the top and talked business school, Patricia and I relaxed in chairs on the bottom, not talking business school.
Continuing on, we got to see that the family's modern (and random) art collection didn't stop when we left the house.
We also got a stunning view of some of the rolling hills of the Peak District.
Continuing on through the gardens
Coming at the maze from the side
While wandering around, we saw a sign for a "squirting tree". We had no idea what that meant, so we went to investigate. When we saw this tree, most of us went, oh, well, we didn't expect it to be so...gimmicky - it was like a fake tree with a hose attached to it. However, Marvilano thought it was incredible. Hood up and tied tight around his face, he jumped head first into it. And all with a giant smile on his face...until he realised how wet he was.
Some lovely views back at the house
Our group at the Chatsworth House.
To end the trip, we headed around behind the house for one final look.
When Dave and I went to get a picture, Marvilano jumped in. What are you going to do?
Next up for pictures are Patricia and Lazar. Feel the love.
Thus completed the most friend-filled and unexpected item that has been crossed off the list yet. This house was beautiful, its gardens were stunning, and the company made it all the better.
Those gardens are gorgeous! It's like a fairy tale!
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