Dunham Massey: Sanctuary from the Trenches

Another absolutely stunning National Trust Park. Dunham Massey is an amazing estate that is a place of wonderful stories of family drama with an earl who fought for the monarchy and one who helped a king lose his head, a man who married for money and a countess who scandalized polite society, an earl who abandoned his home for love and one who came back to claim it as his own. During the first world war Dunham was set up as a military hospital which the house is currently set up to replicate now. The last and 10th Earl dedicated his life to preserving Dunham and decided to gift the house and its contents (which are exquisite) and the 3,000 acres of land to the National Trust. Generous man huh? Anyway there is your history lesson of the day. This entire complex is breathtaking right down to the entrance, the gift shop and restaurants. You can spend an entire day here. The kids enjoyed looking through the house but found it hard to believe people actually lived there in such a lovely place. The hospital even has actors walking around as patients and nurses. Outdoors in the formal garden it is incredible. My favourite flower was out in full bloom in every colour of the rainbow. Ella loved the trail set up to explore the remedies from the ages made from plants in the garden. Deer roam freely, rabbits hop around and happy chickens rescued  from a battery farm enjoy their freedom. A perfect place for all. And yes we are in t.shirts!!!

We're going to the zoo zoo zoo

On Sunday we visited Chester Zoo. A lovely place on over 110 acres. The weather is warming up and feeling a lot like Spring. It had yet another wonderful playground and a monorail which the kids loved...HELLO KIDS did anyone noticed the cool animals??? Funny how monorails and playgrounds distract them from the main event. The man who created this zoo back in 1930s decided he wanted to make a zoo without bars which is what we experienced today and is now the most popular zoo in the UK. Really beautiful place!

 

Could ya be the most beautiful mall in the world???

This is the Trafford Centre. An amazing shopping centre with extravagant marble, paintings and sculptures everywhere. These photos are of the food hall. There is a lane replicating a street from New Orleans with numerous themed cafes and restaurants. Another lane is set up like it is a street in China with appropriate cafes again. This part is like a cruise liner. A shame this part on the bottom floor has McDs, KFC and Pizza Hut around it. Yuck!



 

 

 



Translations for you all to have some fun.

Some of have requested for the translations to my old Scottish sayings so here they are...

Lang may yer lum reek! – May you live long and stay well.

Gie it laldy. – Do something with gusto.

Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye! - What’s meant to happen will happen.

Plus a few extras for your entertainment...

Dinnae teach yer Granny tae suck eggs! – Don’t try to teach someone something they already know.

Haud yer wheesht! – Be quiet.

I’m fair puckled! – I’m short of breath.

I am sure the Jefferies and the Kingstons will have fun with these and their wonderful Scottish impersonations.

So return soon my fellow friends of my blog or should I say...

Haste Ye Back

Bonnie Scotland: Day three. Lang may yer lum reek!

Today we stayed local and explored a bit of Linlithgow. We visited the Linlithgow Palace which now lies in ruins. The palace begun being built in the 1400s and is surrounded by a park and next to a small inland loch. Queen Mary of Scots was born here. Anyway the views are stunning from the tower. Ella tells me she wishes to live in a castle...maybe one not in ruins though.

 

Bonnie Scotland: Day two. Gie it laldy.

Off to Glasgow today. This was very meaningful to my dear husband with his mum's father coming from this land. Rich really enjoyed his time here and sensed a strong connection to Scotland. So we headed to the Riverside Museum which was voted the best museum in Europe last year so we had high hopes. They were exceeded and plus this place was free entry which blew our socks off! It is a transport museum which shows us the history of every means of transport possible with the most amazing displays. It was a great time had by all. Roll the pics...

 

The Argyll Voiturette from Glasgow 1900.

This is the statue from the front of the ship Helen Denny which sailed 24 voyages to New Zealand from 1872 onwards. Being the crew on this ship must have been awful for such a long journey in the wild seas in these times.

 

In the afternoon Richard visited Glengoyne Whisky Distillery for a tour where he got to taste some splendid single malt whisky and purchased a bottle to enjoy back in NZ. The kids and I enjoyed some time at a Country Park which was once again an amazing free venue for all to enjoy with trails and playgrounds and more!

 

Canadian Club don't look and taste so good anymore.

    A little bit of Glasgow from the car.

Bonnie Scotland: Day One. Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye!

After a taxi ride, three different trains, a walk to Avis rentals and a 40 minute drive we arrived at our final destination in Scotland. Linlithgow was to be our home base for our Easter holiday which is halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The perfect spot away from the hustle and bustle in a chalet on a farm with hardly another person in sight, we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

 

On Good Friday we headed to beautiful Edinburgh to the famous castle. As you can see we were so spoilt with the weather. The sights and views took my breath away over and over. This place has to seen to be believed and enjoyed.

 

 

 

From here we caught a bus tour on an open top old fashioned double decker. We were taken around old town Edinburgh an new town Edinburgh (which is still very old compared to anything in young New Zealand). We all thoroughly enjoyed the tour and I was really blown away with this city. We wished we could spend more time here but were happy that we took the tour.