The Duchess's Desk

  Today marks 27 years of this lovely lady's death. 🥀❤️ “Goodbye England's Rose May you ever grow in our hearts You were the grace that placed itself Where lives were torn apart. You called out to our country And you whispered to those in pain. Now you belong to heaven And the stars spell out your name. And it seems to me you lived your life Like a candle in the wind. Never fading with the sunset When the rain set in. And your footsteps will always fall here Along England's greenest hills. Your candle's burned out long before Your legend ever will…”

Well I finally finished the book. While I did enjoy it, I did find that it has a creepy stalker vibe to it. You really have to take the contents of this book with a grain of salt and the use of your own common sense is advisable.  Mrs. Fine talks about her life in London and what she experienced when she moved there. Call me crazy, but I find that some of what she wrote to be a bit exaggerated just a teeny bit. No seriously it has to be exaggerated a lot.  This book is great when it comes to the aspect of places to visit and not to visit when in London. Mrs. Fine doles out some beauty advice, books to read, places to visit, where to shop as well as dating and life advice.  She gives you all the information you need to move to England, from getting a VISA and places to look for when looking at schools or places to live. I literally took notes on a lot of this stuff! Then comes the disturbing bit.. she literally tells you how to land an English gentleman by stalking. She te...

  The Ribblehead Viaduct is a historic railway bridge located in North Yorkshire, England. It is part of the Settle-Carlisle Railway and is considered one of the most iconic engineering feats in the UK. The viaduct spans the Ribble Valley and consists of 24 massive stone arches, stretching over 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) in length and standing 32 meters (104 feet) high. Built between 1870 and 1874, the construction of the Ribblehead Viaduct was a significant engineering challenge due to the harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain. It required a large workforce, many of whom lived in temporary shanty towns near the site. The viaduct is still in use today and is a popular spot for visitors due to its striking appearance and the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales surrounding it. It is a designated Grade II* listed structure, highlighting its historical and architectural importance.

  I found this on Facebook in the memories and once again it made me laugh.  I was texting with a coworker and the auto correct on my phone kicked in. lol This was at the old location. I had stashed a bunch of soccer balls behind the wall because kids kept kicking them around the store.  I absolutely love it when autocorrect fails hit me at random times. They make the moment amusing and I end up cracking myself up. 

Dear Princess Catherine, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my deep admiration and utmost respect for your grace, poise, and unwavering commitment to various charitable causes and your role within the royal family. Your dedication to mental health awareness, early childhood development, and support for families in need has been truly inspiring. Your grace under pressure and genuine concern for the well-being of others shine through in every public appearance and initiative you undertake. Your role as a mother, wife, and a beacon of elegance and dignity within the royal family is commendable. The way you effortlessly balance your duties while maintaining a sense of approachability and warmth is something to be admired. Your fashion sense and timeless style have captivated many, setting trends and becoming a symbol of sophistication and grace. Beyond your outer beauty, it is evident that your inner strength and kindness make you an incredible role model for people...

In February 2020, a month after “Megxit”, the Home Office (the UK’s Homeland Security) withdrew Harry and Meghan’s taxpayer-funded full (armed) police protection, as they were no longer working royals.  This is in line with other non-working royals like Beatrice and Eugenie who do not have funded full police protection. After this decision, when in the UK, Harry and Meghan would still receive protection but it would be to a lesser degree than that of the working royals.  Prince Harry disagreed with this decision, saying that his and Meghan’s profiles were so high as to warrant full police protection.  Only specially-trained police officers are permitted to carry offensive weapons in the UK, meaning private security firms are not allowed to offer armed security.  That the guards should be armed is something which is important to Harry, and why he doesn’t want to have his own private security in the UK like he does in the States, where they can be armed.  Harry of...

   Tea caddy with "Hunting Scenes"by MEISSEN, mid 20th Century, hand painted in style of 17th Century Dutch Baroque painter, Philips Wouwerman (1619-1668). With hunting motifs, boar/deer hunt and falconry scene, with hunter on horseback and gold gilding. Boxing Day is the 26th December and is a national holiday in the UK and Ireland. Traditionally Boxing Day was a day off for servants and when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. Boxing day hunts still go ahead across Britain today. Although hunting in the traditional sense was banned in 2004, Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn, however instead of chasing the fox, the dogs now follow artificially laid trails. Photo credit Christie’s

  The Traveller’s Joy Fairy ~ By Cicely Mary Barker (1923) Traveller, traveller, tramping by To the seaport town where the big ships lie, See, I have built a shady bower To shelter you from the sun or shower. Rest for a bit, then on, my boy! Luck go with you, and Traveller’s Joy! Traveller, traveller, tramping home From foreign places beyond the foam, See, I have hung out a white festoon To greet the lad with the dusty shoon. Somewhere a lass looks out for a boy: Luck be with you, and Traveller’s Joy! Cicely Mary Barker was an English illustrator. Since the first publication of her Flower Fairies in 1923, they have enchanted both adults and children alike around the world. The botanically accurate drawings in the 170 original illustrations, coupled with the enchanting fairy images based on real children from Cicely’s sister’s nursery school, appeal to our innate sense of magic and wonder. Originally accompanied by a poem or verse dedicated to the individual Flower Fairy the charmin...

I heard my favorite British YouTuber, River, mention "The Turnip Toffs" and I will admit that I was curious as to who they were. He mentioned that they were friends of Duke and Duchess of Wales aka William and Catherine.  So, the Turnip Toffs are essentially wealthy aristocratic friends and neighbors of the couple who reside in Norfolk when their Anmer Hall home is. There's Viscounts, Earls, Lords and Countesses who own a lot of farmlands in the British countryside and they also all hang out together. From what I can find, it all revolves around Anmer Hall in Norfolk.  The Turnip Toffs consist of ... Nick and Laura Pettman ~> She is actually Williams older cousin. Her mother is Princess Diana's sister Sarah. Robert and Sophie Snuggs  Robbie and Iona Buxton The Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, David Rocksavage, and Rose Hanbury   Viscount and Viscountess Coke of Holkham, Tom and Polly Coke William and his wife Rosie van Cutsem James and Laura Meade Th...

The most famous British royal is Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952 until her death in 2022. She was widely recognized not just in the UK, but globally, due to her long reign, dedication to duty, and role in modernizing the British monarchy.  Elizabeth II was a constant presence in a rapidly changing world, overseeing the transition from the British Empire to the Commonwealth and navigating numerous political and social shifts. Her fame also stemmed from her role as the head of state of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth realms, her appearances at significant global events, and her image on currency and stamps across the world.  Her popularity was bolstered by her personal qualities—steadfastness, a strong sense of duty, and her ability to stay above political fray, earning her widespread respect. Additionally, her family's dynamics and the interest in the younger generation of royals, like her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, further amplified her prominence.

 

  The most sought-after royal in British history is often considered to be Princess Diana, Princess of Wales. She was immensely popular and captured the public’s imagination in a way that few royals had before or since. Reasons for Her Popularity: Charisma and Compassion : Diana was known for her warmth, compassion, and genuine connection with people. Her work with charities, especially those focused on HIV/AIDS, landmines, and homelessness, resonated with the public and made her a global humanitarian figure. Fashion Icon : Diana became a global fashion icon, with her style frequently setting trends. Her elegance and grace made her one of the most photographed women in the world. Personal Life and Media Attention : Her marriage to Prince Charles, the subsequent divorce, and her personal struggles were widely covered by the media. The public's fascination with her personal life, including her relationships and role as a mother to Princes William and Harry, made her the subject of c...

Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old British military tradition that dates back to the early 18th century. It has evolved from a battlefield practice into a significant ceremonial event that marks the official birthday of the British sovereign. Origins and Early History Military Origins : The tradition of "trooping the colour" originates from the need to display the regimental flag (or "colour") in the 17th century. The colour was a vital rallying point for soldiers on the battlefield, and it was trooped (paraded) in front of the soldiers so they could recognize their regimental flag. 18th Century : The formal Trooping the Colour ceremony as we know it began during the reign of King Charles II in the 1660s. However, it was under King George II in 1748 that the ceremony became associated with the monarch's birthday. George II, whose actual birthday was in October, decided to celebrate it in June, when the weather was more likely to be favorable for outdoor para...

This was splashed all over my newsfeed on Facebook this morning so I figured I would share it for those who don't actually have social media accounts. Believe it or not I do know people who don't have a single one of them. lol   This oak door is in Westminster Abbey and is Britain’s oldest and only Anglo-Saxon Door. The door has been standing for over 950 years, dates back to the reign of Edward the Confessor during the 1050s! The door was made from a single oak from Eastern England in medieval times. The ancient door stands at 6.5 feet tall and is 4 feet wide. Traces of human skin have been rumored to remain on the door, but it has been proved to be cowhide. The door opens into the octagonal Chapter House, where monks met every day for prayers in the 13th century and today serves as a storage place for important religious documents

 

Madly, Deeply came today and I'm so excited to read it! I absolutely love Alan, he was an amazing actor. His witty musings and Rickmanism's as I call them are great. Random musings and some of the things he has written I can totally relate to. His words can be hilariously funny as well as incredibly sad, and at times even a touch of arrogance. That English wit seeped through the words throughout the book. His diaries are similar to the 1 line diaries that are all the rage these days. Celestial One Line a Day Diary He talks about life and life in the acting world. There are also drawings and doodles on the pages.  " Quiet pleasure of preparing food for friends. {Name of friends} The sun emerged and we spilled into the garden." I just love this one, it's so whimsical for me. I visualize him and his friends sitting around a table with glasses laughing and chatting about life or work.  "3:40 am Awake trying to locate one worthwhile nameable emotion that deserves...

 There are two things I am currently obsessing about these days.  Ghosts and a nice hot cup of tea!

   In a Bridgerton group I'm in, there is a thread about Penelope and how she's a bad person. I have to respectfully disagree with them as I see her as being a very misunderstood character.  I kind of feel sorry for Pen because she had to deal with being in the shadow of two beautiful sisters and her mother was more concerned with her sisters finding husbands than herself.  I do agree that Pen is a bit shady, but I think in order for her to be able to support herself as a spinster, I'm pretty sure she knew she would be one, then she had to do shady stuff to make the $$ to be able to support herself without a man.  In my opinion Pen has almost ZERO self esteem and it showed by the way she acted.  One was upset that Penelope told Eloise "Not all of us can be pretty Bridgerton's!" I can understand Pen saying that because it's 100% true... not all of them can be pretty Bridgerton's and everyone knows that the Bridgerton woman are very sought after when it ...

 

  "A Knight's Tale" is one of my all time favorite movies. I love how the peasant became a hero and found his father in the end. The numerous obstacles he overcame with the help of his friends were both amusing and inspiring. This is the London Bridge as portrayed in the movie. It was home to a central chapel, a host of shops and houses (the rent from which funded its construction and upkeep), gates, a drawbridge – even waterwheels and a mill.  The houses were up to seven stories high and jutted over the river by as much as 6.5 feet on either side. Many homes practically touched in the middle, making the bridge more of a tunnel in places.  I can just imagine walking down the road stopping at the shops on the way home or on the way to work while armed guards walk up and down the road keeping things under control