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Monday 5 December 2016

T stands for Tea set

Last week on our way back from Wiltshire we stopped off couple of times. First stop was Old Sarum as you saw last week, then we drove quite a way before stopping again.
I have nothing against Motorway services (although some are better than others!) but we always like to get off the motorway and find somewhere to eat and hopefully a National Trust property!

We found that Croome was quite close to the motorway, unfortunately via winding lanes which made the detour slightly more than expected!
We did however find a gem of a place and intend going back there soon - we could make the trip in a day!
We knew our stay couldn't be for long so after a baked potato for our lunch in an old RAF canteen we headed for the house.

We were in luck as there was a little shuttle vehicle to take us there!

The house has a had varied history - from stately home to school to Hare Krishna retreat and was very nearly ruined by developers before the National Trust stepped in! 
All this means that the rooms are also varied! 
The ceiling in this room though was fabulous….
 …and so was this wall covering..
…and as I am here to join Bleubeard and Elizabeth for T Stands for Tuesday...

..I will show you one of the fabulous china cabinets -I am not a tea drinker but I would certainly love to take my preferred coffee from this lovely china!

One of the most beautiful installations I have ever seen anywhere was in one of the rooms...
...the Croome Plum Lines - a tribute to women and the 9th Countess of Croome who encouraged a jam factory in nearby Pershore to send plum jam to the troops (at least I think that's it!)
Each of the twigs was made from book paper with poems about the women printed on them. You can also see plum stones scattered around.
 The front of the table with jam making equipment on it...
…and from behind the table.
Around the walls were the story of how the jam making came about along with Pershore's first Womens Institute.
I'm sorry this isn't clearer - the room was quite dark and I didn't want to spoil the atmosphere with a flash!
On our way out we noticed another rather strange chair sculpture!
We hopped onto the shuttle and went back up the hill past the church.

As well as the house Croome also houses RAF Defford's museum! During World War II it was a secret base for testing radar, and the first automatic approach and landing took place here!
The grounds were also Capability Brown's first ever landscaping design - the land was farm land for a while and the NT is using original plans to restore the features! 
We didn't have time to look at either of these this time so hope to go in Spring!

While I am here I though you might like to see my latest entry for Art Journal Journey - Valerie has a great theme - Light and Darkness.

This is a page I made (I think) in 2011
 I had a 'thing' about candles at the time!
This is a page I did earlier today..

…and is my entry for AJJ

Thanks for looking, Chris
   

19 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I have NO idea where to begin, but I love the ceiling in that first room you shared. I take it the National Trust is "state" sponsored and funds come from a slush fund that repairs old homes or castles about to be destroyed. Regardless, I am glad they stepped in on this one.


Seems you and Valerie have the same idea today. That tea service and dinnerware is truly gorgeous. I like the colors, too.

The room with jam making was incredible. I've never seen anything like it before. I am glad you took so many photos. Did you see one of the pieces under the table?

Those chairs are a hoot. I think this must be part of the "modern" era because it's a great sculpture.

I'm a candle freak. I light them all the time. Unfortunately, the first time I lit a bunch of them in the dining area, the smoke alarm went off. Now I have to be careful how many I light and make sure they are located in various parts of the rooms. Lesson learned for me.

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos and the beautiful dinnerware and tea service with us for T this Tuesday. It was all so very lovely and your photos captured it, too.

Krisha said...

I'm like E, not sure where to begin, such a wonderful post and so much to see.
The ceiling photos are amazing, such beautiful work and the colors are gorgeous.
I would like the china too.
I read the jam story a couple of time, I found that to be most interesting.......and the chairs made me laugh. Oh my goodness!
Your journal page is fantastic, I many candles everywhere too...love them.
Happy T-day

My name is Erika. said...

Wow- you always visit such gorgeous places Chris. This one is no exception. I do like the plum exhibit. All those little plum trees in the floor-how cool. Happy T day. Erika Oh yes, and I man to say I love the candles for AJJ too.

Divers and Sundry said...

What a delightful stop! And within a day of you? To be surrounded by such a long and rich history must be wonderful :) And the exhibits are so interesting. Happy T Tuesday :)

froebelsternchen said...

Absolutely gorgeous - this place is just wonderful! And I like your pages - both-- the new one even a bit more... so artsy!
Thank you for joining ART JOURNAL JOURNEY dear Chris - always pleased to see your lovely posts linked to the collection!
Happy T-Day!

Valerie-Jael said...

Both of your candle pages are gorgeous, and thanks for making a new one for AJJ! I love seeing candles burning in the dark! That place you visited is gorgeous, love the outside and the lovely objects inside, and the 'jam' room is fABULOUS, what a great idea. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

wow, what a find that was and I look forward to your more detailed return visit - the ceiling, the china and the installation were all fabulous. look forward to the gardens too!

johanna said...

another interesting post... i love the Poem-plants so much! you are visiting so inspiring places!
but what i love most is the very last Picture: your "light" journaling. it just Looks gorgeous!
happy t-day!

chrissie said...

A fabulous post Chris with lots to see and read about. Croome looks amazing and I have never even heard of. Wow to the floor paper installations

Have a happy T day

Love Chrissie xx

Lisca said...

Wow! What a lovely post.
I have never been to the house at Croome, so thank you for taking me there. Yes, the tea service is amazing!
But the most amazing display was the one about the women making plum jam. Thank you for sharing that. I went to the NT site and listened to one of the poems.
The chair sculpture is weird but fun.
Candles, mmm, I had a thing for candles too some years ago. We have since moved house and I have no idea where they are.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

jinxxxygirl said...

Chris i find the older i get the more i like history... didn't care a bit about it in school but now i do...lol strange no? I love that you took us on your trip and showed us around and told us a little bit about everything. I can never get enough of traveling with my T friends... So much to see i hardly know where to begin but i want to be sure to mention your candle drawings... I love them...and they really fit the theme of light and dark...

The ceiling you showed is amazing and the plum installation is so interesting. Happy happy Tday!! Hugs! deb

Meggymay said...

A wonderful post to read Chris. The Hall looks a super National Trust house to visit. They take such care of these old places for the future generations.
The display of china was fantastic and I really loved the plum stones and printed wing displays.
Happy T day.
Yvonne xx.

Meggymay said...

Back gain Chris, the journal page looks beautiful as well.
Yvonne xx

Halle said...

What a fascinating post. Loved the art installation with the tiny paper flowers on the floor.

Darla said...

I've read the post and looked at the pictures twice and plan to go back again because there is so much to take in. You found a treasure when you went down that winding road didn't you? The china is fantastic as it the ceiling. The plum jam story and display interests me a lot. Have to look at those paper constructions again. Thank you so much for all of this.

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

What a marvelous post, Chris! Thank you for sharing your tour of Croome in pictures. The poem flowers just tore at my heartstrings. I can see why you liked it most. It's beautiful, triumphant and sad all in one. Love your candle journal pages, especially the dark to light effect you achieved in the new one for the Light and Darkness challenge. Lovely page!

Little Artbee said...

Both candle pages look very good, but the new one is my favourite. Well done.
Greetings
Sabine

CJ Kennedy said...

I can't get over how gorgeous that ceiling is. (Though I wouldn't want to be the one that had to dust it (-; ) Can you imagine sipping coffee or tea from that beautiful china in that room? Glad those types of homes are being preserved.

Your cards and journal pages are splendid. Happy creating!

Cazzy said...

Hi Chris, thanks for your belated visit, and here is an even more belated one back!
I must look up Croome, I have never been to that one, looks interesting. Great journal pages too.

Carol x