Janet and Phil Troop Around The UK

Every year, Janet and Phil purchase a National Trust Pass for 54GBP.  After that, it's look out National Trust as they are hell bent on wringing out every last pence, plus more to obtain the biggest bang for their pound.

They have been to some great properties that were somewhat "close" to their cottage.  Every single year, without fail, they forget that it takes way longer to drive here than at home.  Ten miles away is not ten minutes - more like twenty.  Janet can barely face the road somedays and she deems them to be quite scary - if not in speed on a Motorway, then in width and twisty corners on a small road.  Stirling Moss/Jensen Buttons AKA Phil likes to think he was born and bred on the British Hyways and Byways.

They drove to Chatsworth, which is not a National Trust property, but is supposed to be one of the most fabulous mansions in the UK.  The house belongs to the Duke of Devonshire, but is a registered charity.  Admission was 20GBP each, which is the better part of the National Trust 14 day pass for two people.

Janet didn't care for it.  While very grand, she felt it had a money grab feel to it.  Most rooms had temporary modern art installations, which Janet felt detracted from the stuff they really wanted to see.

The Cascade

They had lunch at the Druid Inn, which was close by and really excellent.  Janet swears by her AA Good Pub app and her Good Pub Guide app.

Next up was actually a NT property.  Calke Abbey.  This was very unusual manor home.  The last of the family to live here threw out nothing.  This fortifies Janet's stand that absolutely nothing will prevent her from renting a dumpster this winter to clean out the basement and unused rooms in our house.  Look out Phil!  We have a tiny fraction of their rooms, but sadly still need a dumpster.  The manor was structurally repaired,  but otherwise the house was left exactly as it was when the last resident died and turned it over to the NT.

Room after room was shut down over the years.  The drawing room had slipcovers over all the chairs that were only removed when fancy company came.  The room was so little used for at least a hundred years that the NT had never seen slipcovers in such great shape.

They also visited Eyam Hall, which the family has turned over to the National Trust, who have it in their care for 10 years.  The family still owns the house and all the contents and live in the nearby village.  This village was very interesting as it was the beginning of "The Plague" and the entire village did everything in their power to control the spread of the disease.

1786!  Amazing!

A Norman Church.

Many. many grand houses and manors in the UK were lost from their families over death duty taxes.  This one is Sudbury Hall.  While they may have lost the large ancestral home, they still own the village and apparently live in a mansion quite close by.  We aren't going to feel too sorry for them.

Fish and Chips, for a change!

These particular ones were really good with Housemade Tartar Sauce.

Check this out at the local grocery store!

And this warning in the window of the store!

 I'm doing my best to help Janet with the blogging and help with Noodles.  She hasn't been well and Mikey, DVM has done extensive research and believes she has vertigo.  She is having trouble walking, but Mikey told Janet she is a trooper in the eating department and despite her issues, still wants to go for walks.  Janet was relieved as she was super worried.

No worries, Janet....I'm on this one and will help Noodles to the best of my puppy dog ability!