South Cerney
Bath or Bust
Continuing on to Oxford there is a notice saying that parking regulations in the city have changed and that there is a free park and ride area for visitors. Then the next round about says the park and ride is off to the left, so I went that way. And never saw another sign. However, there were signs to Blenheim Palace. I recognised the name, though could not place it. So I decided I would go there instead.
Well, it's where the Duke of Marlborough lives. And one of those was Winston Churchill. The house was built in the early 1700s, and is quite magnificent - although heating it would be a nightmare. There is a tour (no pictures allowed) of the inside, with much Churchill memorabilia, and a number of rooms furnished in period style. Quite amazing stuff.
Then there is the garden. What money can do! It includes a monument, a column with a statue on top, which is located across the lake from the main house. I spent the rest of the day wondering around the grounds. You should see the video tape sooner or later. The gardens are different to Exbury, which is very much for plants. Blenheim is more open, with plenty of trees, but little in the line of a formal garden. It is also (still) a working farm. It's amazing what some money can do - and the house was mostly built with government funding.
On the way back I also came across one of the chalk horses - the large figures carved into the hill side. This was not the most impressive figure, as the proportions are not quite right. But interesting to see, none the less. I couldn't stay long, because I promised to shout dinner for Mike and Linda. They chose the local pub, which has an excellent restaurant. We had a most enjoyable meal. And went for a walk around the village afterwards.