The Ordinary versus the Extraordinary – A year of travelling with three children: 26 July 2015

And so the rain continued all day with good English summer temperatures of 12-13 C mid afternoon! Our accommodation is cosy and dry and we even have the luxury of carpet throughout and heated towel rails so we can come back to warmth after getting wet/cold.

We had a vague plan to meet friends in Surrey but as we hadn't heard back from them we decided against the 200 mile round trip just in case we missed them! Instead, we opted for Banbury Community Church which meets in the Arts Centre again. Luke absolutely loved being there again and is eager to go back. It is a small but thriving fellowship where we went a few weeks ago and people had heard about "the Australians". It is a nice sort of label to have!

Claydon House - entrance.

Claydon House and All Saints Church

In searching for another National Trust property that wasn't too far away, we came across 18th century Claydon House which not only was Florence Nightingale's sister's house, through marriage to Harry Verney, but also the location on which the 2015 film: "Far from the Madding Crowd" was filmed! I say.....!

The Saloon

Sir Francis Verney who became a pirate, converted to Islam and even fell to slavery after grand beginnings. He eventually was rescued by Jesuits, and became a Catholic shortly before he died.

Claydon House, home of the Verney Family (who still have an apartment there), since 1620. In the little church on the grounds, All Saints, Middle Claydon, there are memorials to family members including Sir Edmund Verney, chief standard bearer to King Charles 1 and was killed during the Battle of Edgehill in 1642. His son, Ralph, became Viscount of Fermanagh and Ralph's son, also a Ralph, became an Earl. It was Ralph 2nd Earl Verney who built the house as it stands today between 1757 and 1771 although it is much smaller than he intended! A large part had to be demolished as the foundations were inadequate and it was collapsing. When he died in 1792, in deep financial trouble (he had fled to Europe to escape his creditors), his niece, Mary, had the collapsing part demolished and sold the building material to pay off his debts. The house was given to the National Trust in 1956.

There were a number of "talking portraits" which showed actors in costumes giving historical accounts. It was a novel way of dispatching information. The National Trust really do a great job for all ages to enjoy their properties.

The library, complete with roller set of steps! the family must have been readers with their library of 5000 books!

The household contained 5000 books. The library even has shelves under the windows. Many of the other historical houses we have visited have seemingly filled their library shelves with all sorts of "job lots" of books such as bound Turf Guides just for show but this house contained readable books! We saw a copy of the Pilgrim's Progress on the shelf as we were passing.

The underside of the amazing staircase: made of ebony, walnut and other hard wood. The staircase is now unstable due to roof leaks and sunlight over the centuries but is certainly grand. The ears of wheat apparently rustle as they are passed!

Ornate walls - some plaster, some wood.

Upon entering North Hall, one is struck by the very high ceilings and elaborate Rococo plasterwork and wood work. These are the work of Luke Lightfoot and look impressive against wall colours of deep egg yolk yellow, rich greens, candy pink and blue. Although nearly 300 years old, they are well preserved and look amazing ...not sure I'd like the dusting job though!

The Pink Room

Luke dressed as a Lord of the Manor!

Drawing room

The Florence Nightingale connection is also worth mentioning. Sir Harry Verney married the wealthy Parthenope, Florence's sister, after is first wife died. I asked one of the volunteers about her name, and it is the Greek name for Naples, as she was born in Italy. Florence, is therefore called Florence, as she, too, was born in Italy where her wealthy parents were travelling. Parthenope hasn't quite made it back in Vogue as far as names go!! When Florence returned from the Crimean War, she lived at Claydon House and wrote books there.

Florence Nightingale's bedroom

Beautiful old harpsicord painted in the style of Thomas Gainborough's "Mrs and Mr Andrews."

Chinese Room with opulent sofa - just to show off the wealth! The rococo wood work was intricate and a bit gawdy but at the same time, it really was magnificent. More work by Luke Lightfoot.

Being a National Trust property there are volunteer guides to answer questions. We had a lovely chat to one of them who explained about her experience with the filming of 2015 movie: "Far from the Madding Crowd" which was filmed there. Of course we checked the website and saw scenes from the movie in the rooms we had visited and looking out to sheep grazing as we also saw! Can't wait to see the movie now! Little bits of trivia such as the cast not being able to actually eat inside the house for the dinner scene, the freezing temperatures which meant the leading actress had to be wrapped in warm blankets after her scenes outside, etc. Those kind of experiences make it all memorable.

Looking out to the fields of sheep and river

The sundial was not working today!!

The courtyard

1754 is in the brickwork but not visible in the photo.

We had a look through the old church but it really wasn't a garden sort of day give the constant rain! We really did have a great time, though! Driving along the back roads passing hedgerows is always a bit of fun, passing through little villages with pubs like: "The Sow and Pig", "Elephant and Castle" and other funny names. The roads are narrow, and patchworked. Vehicles are parked on one side of the road facing both directions in many of the villages and passing is a slow process when there is another car coming the opposite way. We are always grateful for our TomTom.