Well, first of all – a comment about how stupid those who put up such signs are:
What would you expect to know about places of interests, when driving by on motorway? I would expect – direction and distance, right? Maybe I expect too much. But if I’d knew that the museum that I was so interested in was not only on my left, but also – in about half-distance of my initial route from home to the wedding venue, only in completely different direction! The most annoying thing – that you’d find this out only by actually driving there! [Why, oh why they never mention distance on the road signs for the places of interest?! Saving on paint, perhaps?]
Anyway, all is well, what ends well. And we finally arrived to the destination. Good thing that it was well worth it! The place called Beaulieu. It is the estate that has been in Lord Montagu's family ownership since 15 century. There are lots of things to see in there. A little Abbey used to be a Cistercian monastery since 12 century - a place of tranquillity, planted with fragrant herbs. The house itself with a nice collection of art. And of course – a Motor Museum - with the Collection of some 250 vehicles - from some of the earliest examples of motoring to legendary World Record Breakers like Bluebird and Golden Arrow. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
Actually, I can’t even say which part I liked the most. I suppose, old Abbey – such a peaceful place – you can hear own thoughts!.. Most of it in ruins now, only little yard left and a church, and with not that many visitors this time of a year; somehow it felt pacifying…
OK, that was my Friday – a great beginning to the great weekend.
Next morning after Saturday’s wedding we woke up with the thirst for more adventures. And adventurous spirit brought us to the Isle Of Wight. Even the bad rainy weather [*read: normal British weather] didn’t prevent full enjoyment of the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever seen! It is a diamond shape island, thirteen miles north to south and twenty three miles east to west. And we’ve been driving around all of it! Was absolutely happy about my day…It’s a shame that it had to end at some point – 2.5 hours drive home through the stormy night has been somewhat a peculiar conclusion to the memorable 3 day’s adventure…
Anyway, wherever I’ve been, whatever I’ve seen, I will remember for the sensation of the inevitable dawning of the Autumn in all Her glory and all Her solemn bleakness…
Having returned home after 3 days trip to New Forest, I am now back into the office as well – to my deep regret 2 weeks holidays elapsed just at a time when I’d need a lil bit more rest…But life is going on and so are my duties…[~sigh]. Needless to say that first few days will be dedicated for dealing with all the backlogs. Such a sad ending for so immense beginning!