The Beginning of my European Adventure.

The time for my overseas trip including the next Whitecroft Jane Austen tour has finally arrived!

Here I am dressed and ready to leave Adelaide with Helen Campbell (a bit excited). The flights are soooo long and the conditions so cramped and uncomfortable, it is such a relief to finally arrive.

We hired a car and drove from Heathrow airport to the beautiful market town of Salisbury in Wiltshire.  Thanks to Helen for driving.  Getting used to the car, especially the Sat Nav, took some doing.

We stayed overnight at Qudos Hotel in Salisbury.

My Room was very comfy and the bed was very welcome.

The hotel was within sight of the Cathedral, something to look forward to visiting the next day.

I enjoyed the pleasant walk to get to the Cathedral Close.  Here are some images.

Check out this hilarious Stonehenge made out of fudge.

Then we reached the location of the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral.  Built quite quickly between 1220 and 1258, the Cathedral in the early English Gothic style, has the tallest spire in the United Kingdom.  It is massive.

The interior is also impressive with soaring layers of arches.

The vaulted ceiling about the choir is painted with beautiful medallions.

A new quilt design in the stained glass?

The octagonal shaped Chapter House contains a beautiful original version of the Magna Carta, transcribed on sheepskin (no photos allowed of this precious document).

I loved the floor tiles.

The cloisters:

We then visited the Cathedral Close.  Gorgeous houses and gardens.  Love it all.

We then visited Mompesson House now maintained by the National Trust.  This beautiful eighteenth century house was used as a movie set in Emma Thompson's 1995 film adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility".  It was the location of Mrs Jennings' London townhouse.  How exciting.

I want to watch the film again!  This staircase was featured.

More to show you tomorrow.