Matter of Trust

We may be on holiday, but my body clock is having none of it. I was wide awake soon after 6:00 and up by 6:30. Fortunately, our suite is large enough that I could go and shower in the second bathroom (furthest from our room) and thus, not disturb Diane. 

Showered and dressed, I raided the Nespresso for a coffee and settled down with the overnight news. It was some time before Di stirred and came seeking a cup of tea.

It was a grey start, but a lot brighter than yesterday. More to the point it wasn't raining (yet)!

We met Jane and Trevor in the restaurant for breakfast. We had been warned that it tends to fill up by 09:00, so arrived at 08:45. This worked perfectly. With more teas and coffees, and our selection from the breakfast menu, we were set for the day.

We had agreed to head across to Wimborne and visit Kingston Lacy. Diane and I had visited many years ago but had no clear recollection of the place. It was only a 45-minute drive from the hotel, with Trevor acting as the pilot (he really must get a proper uniform and cap, but we'll let that go for today).

As we arrived, Ellie called for a chat with Nana (and Grandpa) and asked us to send some photos. This was more easily said than done as there was almost no phone signal or WiFi around the property. We started the visit traditionally with a raid on the tea rooms for a morning coffee. Then we moved on into the house.

The house had been built for the Bankes family who had become prominent in the time of King Charles I. They originally lived at Corfe Castle, but after the siege during the Civil War, and the restoration of the monarchy, they built Kingston Lacy.

It went through several modifications and upgrades over the centuries and was finally given to the National Trust in 1981 on the death of the last Bankes who lived there. It was in a fairly poor state, but the treasures it housed included artworks by Titian, Rembrandt, Breugel, and many other famous artists. The donation came with the caveat that the whole collection had to remain (and thus could not be sold off for death duties or taxation).

We must have spent a couple of hours or more in the house. It really was a joy to visit. We stopped back in the tea rooms for a cream tea before heading back through the rain and murk to the hotel.

We had a quiet end to the afternoon and planned to meet up in the bar before dinner.