Tuesday 7 September 2010

Chatsworth

Out of the car and running to explore.



The older two said that they were sheepdogs and went to round up some sheep :o)



collecting pine cones to throw into the river.
There is Chatsworth house. It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.
Standing on the east bank of the River Derwent, Chatsworth looks across to the low hills that divide the Derwent and Why valleys. The house is set in expansive parkland, and backed by wooded, Rocky hills rising to heather moorland and contains a unique collection of priceless paintings, furniture, Old Master drawings, neoclassical sculptures, books and other artifacts. Chatsworth has been selected as the United Kingdom's favourite country house several times.

It was very windy and Googs turned to me and said: "Mommy, I know why it is so windy, it's because the trees are waving their leaves so much" :o)

Look at the stalactites

Looking for fish
Going up Queen Mary's Bower. Unsubstantiated modern legend, which was embellished in the 19th century, suggests that the Bower was used as a raised and secure outdoor exercise ground by the captive Mary, Queen of Scots. She was prisoner under Bess's fourth husband, Lord Shrewsbury, and was held at Chatsworth 5 times between 1570 and 1581. It is this legend that has given the structure its modern name.

And on top there is grass!
It even has a moat! There were still some tents up from the summer festival .
Which meant even more to explore.


Walking around we found some old trucks and a tank that hadn't been picked up yet.


Having a look inside.


Yay a horse, the girls were happy.
oh how the kids love water.
We had some bread left over from lunch. The kids threw it over the bridge and watched the battle between the fish and the ducks.
I know not a very good picture but the splash shows the fishrunning free! and off they go to round up some more sheep.
Deer!
Having a rest on a boat.
Kiki and Googs found a massive snake to play on.
I was assured that it wouldn't eat me which is always good to know :o)

And of course we couldn't walk beside a river all day without going for a paddle.


Kiki made a friend, I think that it was more of a one way thing :o)
She collected long grass from the centre of the river, it was VERY important that I hold it for her while she went to play in the river, making sure, on strict instructions, that I didn't squash it in anyway.
Champ was determined to get the otherside of the river. The stones were slippery and it wasn't easy. He had to finally more further down the river to accomplish it.



5 comments:

dorinalouise said...

it's so beautiful! and what my girls and i love . . it's been around for what seems like forever! i also just watched the 2005 version of pride and prejudice and i recognize chatsworth as what they used for darcy's pemberley :) what a fun day for all of you!

Moogie said...

Yes I agree, we were imagining the type of people who have walked where we walked over the hundreds of years.
Yes it was used in the 2005 pride and prejudice! We didn't go in the house this time as the weather was so fine. One of the houses in the earlier pride and prejudice is near us too but not quite so grand :o)
Now that my youngest is 3 we can start getting out a little more to explore all the local history, I have to say that I am loving it!

Linda said...

What amazing photos! The photo of the stalactites is amzing!
xo
Linda

Pip said...

another fabby place!!
i love seeing kids running free to explore. so much in life is structured and with restrictions.... This is real childhood!!
Hugs
Pipx

Moogie said...

Thanks Linda, The kids pointed them out to me as I didn't even notice them :o)

Thanks Pip, I love the freedom of Chatsworth, they are so good about letting children just be :o)