Jane Austen Tour to be Repeated in May 2017

I would like to let you all know that the fabulous tour I have just participated in will definitely be repeated 14 -24 May, 2017.  Helen Bertram has confirmed a slightly amended (and improved) itinerary for the next trip.  Everyone on the pre-registration list has been contacted and bookings are already being taken.  If you are seriously considering joining the tour, you will need to contact Helen as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.  The email address is enquiries@whitecrofttours.co.uk.

Here are a few of my favourite highlights from this year's trip.

The fabulous Georgian city of Bath itself, our home for ten wonderful days and nights:

Bath Abbey:

Taking High Tea in The Pump Rooms:

The Costume Museum:

The American Museum in Bath, with its brilliant collection of antique quilts and beautifully displayed furnishings:

The outings to places associated with the life of my favourite author, dear Jane Austen.

Chawton Cottage, where she lived for eight years and completed so much of her writing:

                                  

Seeing the Jane Austen quilt:

                                  

The Chawton House Library, where Jane would have dined at this very table:

Winchester Cathedral, the resting place of Jane Austen:

Beatiful Lyme Regis, where scenes of "Persuasion" are set:

Historic Lacock, where many film productions have been set, including the BBC "Pride and Prejudice":

Magnificent Stately homes:

Textile Collections:

                                 

The gardens:

The churches:

The designs:

The gorgeous meals in amazing locations:

The entertainment by special people:

The ultimate highlight was our very last night when we had the entire Roman Bath complex to ourselves for a private tour and a most magnificent meal overlooking the baths and the floodlit Abbey.

I presented Helen with my "Pemberlini" quilt as a thank you for having me on this amazing trip of a lifetime.  Dreams really do come true!

                                  

Lovely to See Some Finished Jane Austen Needle Folders

Thank you to the ladies who attended the Life and Times of Jane Austen tour who have sent me a photograph of their completed project from our workshop.

This one from Pat (photographed with the beautiful roses from her garden):

This one is from Judy:

This one from Kylie:

I am pleased you enjoyed the project, ladies.  I hope it will remind you of the wonderful Whitecroft Tour we shared in England.

A Week in London

I was lucky enough to spend a wonderful week touring around some of the major sites in London. You all know my love of history, so my week was full of magnificent churches, castles and beautiful buildings.

Here are some of the highlights:

A tour of fabulous Westminster Abbey, complete with audio tour narrated by Jeremy Irons (unfortunately no photography is allowed inside).  The Abbey is full to the brim of memorials to the famous people buried and honoured here. The decorations are spectacular.

Here are some of the cloisters behind the Abbey.

                                 

A small plaque to one of my heroes, Captain James Cook.

A stop outside Buckingham Palace.

                                 

  

A visit to The Tate Britain Gallery.

We saw the hauntingly beautiful 1888 painting "The Lady of Shallot" by John William Waterhouse.

And many other beautiful paitingings:

William Logsdail:

                          

John Constable:

Harrod's Food Hall:

"Liberty of London":

A performance of Shakespeare's "Richard II" at The Globe theatre:

A trip to Arsenel Stadium for David:

A tour of St Paul's Cathedral:

An amazing day at The British Museum (unfortunately I had the flu).

                                    

I spent lots of time viewing the incredible Assyrian reliefs and sculptures:

The Elgin marbles, of course!

Ancient Ur:

The Lewis Chessmen:

Eygptian Mummies and monuments:

                                  

                                    

 

A bus tour of London monuments by night:

A fascinating day at The Tower of London, so much history!

I loved seeing King Henry VIII's armour:

                                

The place where Anne Boleyn and others were beheaded.

I was lucky to see The Tower Bridge open to let a ship pass along the Thames.

The beauty of the Houses of Parliament at Westminster:

Big Ben, of course:

                               

My final day in England was spent touring the breathtaking State Apartments at Windsor Castle:

The Chapel of St George, home of the Order of the Garter:

                              

A tour of fabulous Hampton Court Palace, home of King Henry VIII:

The Great Hall:

The tapestries:

The reception rooms:

The Great Tudor Kitchens:

The gardens:

I had a most wonderful time in this most magnificent of cities.  I am home now, back to reality!