1) One of my favorite things to do when out and about, is being among trees and looking up through their branches at a blue sky filled with soft, billowy clouds.
2) I have sometimes wondered what it would be like to live in a big fancy house such as Oatlands Plantation. Just wondered that is. Truth be told I would love an old rustic cabin (or a thatched cottage) in the woods.
3) When I was very young we knew a lovely couple long since gone. The friend of my dad's was a chauffeur to someone who lived in a much bigger house than this one, and much older. Whether the residents were part of the aristocracy, I have no clue. I remember visiting this couple when I was a child with my mum and dad and my sister. My dad would drive through the big gates and the driveway went on for a mile or so. He would joke about being invited to tea by the lord and lady of the manor, said in quite a serious tone, and we would laugh at the preposterousness of it, for as soon as we drew near that old mansion, there was a road that took us around the back where our friends lived on the estate. I remember chickens running around and again, truth be told, I can't remember if this is fact (about the chickens), but the memory of them seems to stick.
4) You can just make out an old wishing well in the photo below. The hole was covered in a heavy, wrought iron grid, but you could look down into the blackness. I wondered how deep it was. It seemed to go on forever.
5) Years ago we lived in Newport, Rhode Island, for about a year There were 'summer cottages' along the cliffs. You can see them here. I don't really remember much about them but maybe we'll go back and have a look again one day.
It certainly was a beautiful day when we visited Oatlands.
I am sharing with the following memes as they become available, with my thanks to our hosts. If you click on their names you can visit other participants.
Theresa at Good Fences
The Team at SkyWatch Friday
Tanya at Willy-Nilly Friday Five
beautiful rock wall and fencing atop it. i'd never make it living in such a grand place. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful and well kept estate. Did you get to go inside? I can picture Scarlet O'Hara running out of the house and flouncing about. By now, we are too old for a big house. It's all I can do to keep ours clean. Huge houses mean more work, so for me they are just for looking at and admiring. What a nice memory you have of the upper crust!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed very beautiful - but can you imagine cleaning a house of that size? And looking for something you mislaid? A cottage would suit this peasant much better.
ReplyDeleteisn't it lovely lookiing back into our memorie to see what we can remember. Lovely blue skies and I love the stone wall with the white pillars.
ReplyDeleteExcelente trabalho e belas fotografias.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.
what a place!
ReplyDeleteThat's also my favorite things to do. Looking up to the trees and sky. I love the buildings, the fences and I I am marveled at your good storytelling. Is it today also Sunny in your area? Best Wishes!!!
ReplyDeletethe sky in all the pics is just awesome and the light was perfect. the photos are wonderful. i am with you, cottage or cabin and i want mine right in the middle of the first photo. when that opened, my first thought was this is what i love, i thought that before i read that you love it to... standing in the trees and looking up is a favorite thing to do and i do it every day
ReplyDeleteWonderful, beautiful series of photos!
ReplyDeleteI love visiting gorgeous homes and mansions like this one too Denise but I don't think I'd want to live like the aristocracy - a thatched cottage for me too!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your fond childhood memories - very special!
I like what you said about looking up at trees and seeing the sky and clouds, Denise! Your photos are magical!
ReplyDeleteoh denise this is gorgeous...i too wonder what it would have been like to live this way...i really enjoyed the memories of your family friends and the way your dad would announce your visit :) when i see wishing wells like that it reminds me of that scene in cold mountain when nichole kidman looks down in the well to see inman coming back...great photos denise, i want to go there! thank you for linking to willy nilly, i will have it up at midnight!
ReplyDeleteA good mix of reality and dreams in this post.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pleasure to wander with you and to hear your memories and thoughts, Denise
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful property!
ReplyDeleteDenise ... you have really captured good skies, good fences and great recollections too!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both reading and looking at this post very much. Thank you.
All the best Jan
Fabulous! What a gorgeous wall/fence! And I'm always looking up...the sky is forever changing! Beautiful photos! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. The fencing is really nice and goes so well with the style of the home. I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a grand place, but honestly (since you mentioned it) I prefer the much older manor houses in England. Even though they're probably impossible to heat and you're cold all winter long. I can understand your longing for a thatched cottage - my dream as well. With rambling roses all around it...
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'd like to live in a place so huge, although I guess if you can afford the place, you can afford to have people clean it for you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Chickens running around are always amusing!
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Beautiful skies.
ReplyDeleteSydney – City and Suburbs
Beautiful location and photos... love those fluffy clouds and blue sky!
ReplyDeletelove the fence shots,those cloud are beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us on a visit to Oatlands. Gorgeous images. Have a great week!
ReplyDelete