Skip to main content

Blenheim Palace

Thirty minutes North of Oxford lies Blenheim Palace, tucked amidst a small village. The palace hold over 300 years of history of the Marlborough family and the lives that intersected theirs.
From the outside, you know upon entering your eyes will have many extravagances to behold.
The palace was preparing for an event when we toured. So, there were workers arranging giant bouquets of fresh flowers, which smelled lovely.
Nearly every room had a chandelier, illuminating the the art work within the palace, which to be staring down at you with watchful eyes. I could not help but think, I wonder how many different stories these eyes have witnessed, passing in and out of the palace?
The palace landscape took my breath away. The manicured gardens are lovely, organized by curling hedges and cascading waterfalls but the open grounds are far more exceptional. The original landscaper designed over 2,000 acres to look natural. Exploring, you can tell that each path and tree is aligned with an appealing symmetry that highlight the grand vistas or lakeside views. The stunning fall color starkly stood out in comparison to the deep greens surrounding.

My favorite part of the palace was The Temple Diana, a little temple with the perfect view of the lake through the border of trees. With clouds looming overhead, swallowing up the bits of sunshine trying to pour through, I thought this little temple looked like the ideal, romantic hideout from England rain. I pictured a couple sneaking out of the palace, unaccompanied, escaping from the small talk of the weather. Having escaped the conversation, they do not escape the weather, and as they walk, hand in hand, they are caught in a rainstorm, and they find refuge beneath the stone pillars of the temple. I walked towards the temple and discovered a sign that explained it was the place Winston Churchill proposed to his wife, Clementine. My imagination was not far from historical truth. I stood there for a while, gaping at the beautiful view, in awe of the glorious scene before me.

May you enjoy the colors of Autumn. May you never be afraid to let your imagination run wild, knowing God created you with an imagination He designed.
All my love,
Gennavieve

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hampton Court Palace

Today, I toured Hampton Court Palace, an official historic, royal palace. Following are some of the sights I saw, history I learned, and favorites I enjoyed. The guard chamber of King William III. The magnificent display of 2,871 items of armor and weapons displayed a message that William was a great soldier and peacemaker. William's Presence chamber. Only high-ranking individuals were permitted into this room. William would be distinguished by sitting on a Chair of Estate. Those who entered his presence were required to remove their hats and make three low bows to the King, or even his empty chair. I'm grateful to serve an accessible King, who is with me wherever I go. William's eating room. He was expected to dine here on occasions "in front of persons of good fashion and good appearance," in order to display the sumptuousness of his food and to reassure everyone he was in good health. He was served by three servants on bended knee. William's P...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chesterton on Perspective

A few months ago, I read a piece from G. K. Chesterton in The Illustrated London News. Chesterton’s article makes light of the daily inconveniences encountered in life by utilizing a poetic tone of adventure inspired by imagination. He exposes the reality of thinking with a wrong mindset, encourages readers towards a comical viewpoint, and guides readers to a foundation of faith in all circumstances. Chesterton reveals the reality of a negative mindset too often occupied by so many individuals. He opens with the news of London flooding and categorizes the event as a typical inconvenience faced by humankind. Then he mentions the constant rush in finding an opportunity to grumble about such inconveniences. He exposes such grumbling as negativity. He explains the error of such a viewpoint when he states, "an adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered," Clearly he stands by the incorrect nature ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Good Things

Westcliffe is a small town in Colorado nestled at the base of a towering peak. It is quant, quiet, and eclectic. It's Main Street houses two little coffee shops, a general store, some antique shops, a wood work store, an unbeatable burger shack, and an Amish bakery. The people are simple and sweet. Not the sort of simple which confines them to the narrow judgment of a small-town mindset, but the simple of enjoying each moment the day brings. Every Wednesday the small square is filled with the tables and tents of the Farmer’s Market selling the best jams and jellies, produce and pastries. I approach the market with empty bag in hand and something tasty in mind. I explore the herbs and produce. I decide on some peaches from a man whose companion was a tea cup poodle laying in a doggie bed on the table guarding the peaches, or so I assumed. “What’s his name?” I ask. “Brutus,” the man responds. “He’s a watch dog.” “Guarding your peaches, I see.” “No, no,” the man quickly ...
Post a Comment
Read more