A weekend in the country...
In the little village of Hoggeston, there are a dozen or two domiciles, some with thatched roofs, some with sheep pens, some with happy families, ( and some, I suppose not.) The properties have names, not numbers, and I was fortunate enough to be a guest in one of these homes. (I will remain sensitive to posting details about someone else's life! Mine may be fair to share but goodness, these dear people are British! )

The ride out went very quickly - good conversation will do that. Friday night stiffness disapated pretty quickly thanks to the availability of children ( yes-- water seeks its own level!) When did children get so SMART! Really--- it is enough to give me a glimmer of hope. Maybe it is that they were younger and still willing to communicate with adults. The two girls were, in a phrase, "chalk and cheese" but lovely to get to know. and fascinating to watch together.

Cross from the property was a pen of sheep, expectant and attentive as an audiance at a concert as i approached. Felt like a conversation between mean the ewes- there I go-- letting slip the level i am at these days! Down the road was the village church-- really quite grand. For 500 years- drawing people together.

Anyway- back to the travelogue: here in Buckingham, there are a number of properties of such historical value that they are part of the National Trust. The National Trust is simply an affiliation of people that care enough about the architectural treasures of the past that they fund their continued upkeep. THe first we visited was the extraordinary palace -like Waddingdon estate, in the stule of a 17C French Chateau.

The next was the wonderful grounds of the Stowe School. I have a lot of pictures .. here are few. The day was very cold-- but it worked well to keep distracting crowds at bay. The day was wonderful and the gerbils of mental activity that scamper and scurry in my kookie mind.. actually stopped. At days end- as we got hit the warmth of the car and i took a bite of double cream chocolate, I felt myself to be, for that moment, blissfully happy. Amazing what peaceful scenery, good company and fresh air can do!