Woke up this morning in Flitwick, home of my friend and her family. They made me a fantastic English breakfast of sausage, bacon, egg, bread, and tea. I could’ve just stayed there all day and been treated like a King! Instead we went to see the home of a Duke.
About an hour drive west, Blenheim Palace is the only non-royal country house in England to hold the title of palace. So whose house is it? The Dukes of Marlborough. After a lot of drama it was finally completed in 1722.
Are you yawing yet? Did you not expect a history lesson today? Well.. wait for it.. the 1st Duke of Marlborough was John Churchill. 229 years after it was finished, Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Sigh. Still not interested are you. Fine.
It was also used to film some scenes for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. There’s still a tree standing with a sign in front calling it “The Harry Potter Tree.”
(Yes, that’s rain you see on the sign. It’s England. It was cloudy and rainy.)
After walking the grounds and taking some photos, we headed back so I could catch a train back to London. On the way, however, we needed to stop for an English Sunday roast. Where better than… The Robin Hood!
Lamb, roasted potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. I hear they serve it in pubs on days other than Sunday. I may have to investigate!
Belly full, sun setting, it was time to head home. Train to London St. Pancras, then the Tube to Notting Hill Gate with a transfer in Oxford Circus. It was crowded by the end, but the first half of the train ride was perfect. Empty.
Work tomorrow. I forget this isn’t exactly a vacation. Hopefully the network can keep up. It seems to be a bit hit-and-miss.
Travel 