Yes. And as sung in Priscilla's church. And I would normally associate it with "Who is on the Lord's side?" (or, perhaps, "Forward! Be our watchword" - which would have made a good hymn for the old Great Central Railway: https://tinyurl.com/y3g8t2ml).
We gave up our National Trust membership when we gave up our car as we could no longer make trips out to places on a regular basis, but still enjoy visiting places from tiem to time. Don't think age has anything to do with it. @ferijen , thanks for your Bologna tips. I'm very envious that you get to visit the area on a regular basis. We're back home now, but we loved it, and want to return.
Ah, but did you buy anything in the gift shops and get a discount?
Mrs Sioni found a book on quilting (so there was no way that was going back on the shelf). I don’t recall a discount on that and I spent twenty minutes in the second-hand bookshop. Although both were houses plus gardens we managed not to buy any greenery.
I don’t recall a discount on that and I spent twenty minutes in the second-hand bookshop.
Looking at the NT website, gift shop discounts don't seem to be a membership privilege (unlike Cadw). On the other hand you do get free parking, not to be sneezed at especially at "open air" places such as Rhosilli.
I see that there's been heavy rain and flooding in East Anglia. Not nice for those affected; but I had to smile when I read that the 999 service had been "inundated" with calls.
My brain is definitely addled- I typed what follows yesterday and never clicked "post comment". <brickwall>
Did someone mention CAKE?
I've had a fairly productive, and rather nice day (it helps that the sun is shining and the sky is blue). I coloured ny hair in the morning, cleaned the shower room while the colour was doing its thing and put the bedlinen in the wash (must go and take it out of the dryer and put it back on the bed). Then out for a lovely lunch with a couple of friends from the Cathedral, and after that got my hair cut.
I really ought to be either cooking or baking bread at the moment, but I'm going to have more time to get ready than I thought, as West Jet have goofed with their flight, and instead of arriving tomorrow afternoon, they won't get here until late tomorrow night. It's a hassle without which they could have done (although they did get to spend a day in London and when last I heard from them my sister was eating lobster and salmon in Harrods ...
That was yesterday ...
I made the bread late last night, just before going to bed.
Today hasn't been all that busy: I slept quite late (I never imagined I'd be able to sleep as well as I am doing), and have made an attempt at ratatouille for when my visitors arrive, and though I say it what shouldn't, I think it'll be rather nice.
I've spent a good bit of the afternoon on the phone: first with my brother and then with a friend from Newfoundland, so it's been a pleasant day!
SS - we joined the National Trust when we lived in Northern Ireland - quite early on, so I'd have been in my 20s and D. in his 30s, so you don't have to be old! After we left, we let our membership lapse - there isn't much point in having season tickets you'll never use.
It’s official: Mr & Mrs Sais are old! Yesterday we joined the National Trust and visited two of their properties that day, so that is £57 back of our £120 annual membership.
Mr Nen and I joined for a year, a few years back, but let it lapse because we didn't use it regularly enough and in Mr Nen's mind it clearly is age related and he doesn't feel he's "at that stage" yet.
Also, in the year we joined, we were away in December and visited a local National Trust property. We could go round the gardens but because the house was dressed for Christmas we would have had to pay the entrance fee, even as members. We thought that was Pretty Darn Cheeky, and didn't.
Mr RoS and I have been given a joint membership to the NT by our sons for the last two Christmasses. This was in order to ensure that we got out and about a bit , as we had hardly strayed north of the A27 since moving down to the Sussex coast.
It worked, as we now feel we have to get their money's worth out of our membership and visit frequently. As I have been unwell this year and didn't go out during the summer heatwave, we are now visiting one a week (as long as it isn't actually pouring all day).
We have bought items from the gift shop - but only occasionally as they are a bit pricey. We always spend time in the second-hand bookshop, but as our bookshelves are overfull already I only buy if I am also donating. Mr RoS makes a note of the ISBN number of any book he fancies, and orders it from the library.
We haven't been into many of the houses, as I prefer to walk in the grounds if it is not too wet. I particularly miss trees in our new home, so feast on the abundance surrounding many NT properties.
We always have lunch, and most of the time they are delicious, generous and good value.
As to the age thing - although the majority of visitors seem to be late-middle age and over, there are always a good number of young families when we are there, and on our last visit there were several parties of younger (under 40) people there without accompanying children.
On the other hand you do get free parking, not to be sneezed at especially at "open air" places such as Rhosilli.
But not at Wakehurst where parking is an eye watering £3 for 1.5 hours, £5.50 for 2.5 hours or £10 for the day. I shall not be going back.
I became a life member of the NT around 25 years ago when the rates were lower, with a small legacy from my Grandmother - it is a lovely way to remember her, especially as Mottisfont is only 10 mins away.
Today I completed making several jars of yummy tomato ketchup with harvest from t’allotment - I grabbed a couple of hours a day to do it in stages, otherwise I’d never have got around to doing it.
Well done you! I made a few jars of tomato chutney before we went on holiday (having realised I had most of a great big box of tomatoes that I didn't want to go off while we were away), and it was so nice I think I'll have to make some more as Christmas presents.
We’ve had NT membership for about 10 years. We used it quite a lots when our children were younger for Saturdays out together and with other families. It is also helpful for our holidays as we do a lot of walking to historic sights. As we’ve reached middle age we use it less often but this is also partly because my husband has his own business so he is busier. I think we will use it more again once both our children leave home.
I bought a joint membership of the Cambridge Botanic gardens for Valentine’s Day and we used that to go to free evening music events in the summer. We need to use that more to meet for lunch. Now I’m studying again I intend to do some reading there in the cafe.
Beautiful red sky earlier today. Now I need to get some work done this morning. I’m taking the afternoon off as I spent the weekend at a rather intensive doctorate student residential and need to wind down a bit.
I’m having a ‘looking after puppy’ kind of day, then blood tests later this afternoon.
The x rays show lower spine problems but no reason yet. Could be osteoporosis but I’ve had a crashing fall recently and broke no bones, so I doubt it. If it’s arthritis they need to determine which one before they proceed.
Pilates really helps so I’ve booked some weekly private sessions to go with my weekly classes.
We've been life members of the National Trust for years, but keep forgetting to go. Then, amazingly, L1 decided he didn't get out enough and he and I have been going to a local attraction each weekend. Yesterday was Coughton Court. I can recommend the lemon cake. The place was full of families with small children tearing round the orchard, so I didn't feel as old as I am.
And L1 is only 25 and didn't feel stereotyped.
We don't bother going to Wakehurst - far too commercial, but that's because of the arrangement with Kew.
"Wakehurst is funded and managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew."
NT members get free entry to the mansion and grounds (if they can get though the huge pre-entry shop area without buying anything), but not free parking, which presumably goes to Kew.
I'm not planning a return to Sissinghurst, either. Far too regimented for my liking.
Re. Sissinghurst, the real problem surely lies in the fact that it was designed as a low footfall private garden, not a visitor attraction. Opening it to the public I think necessitates a degree of regimentation and, sadly, alteration (e.g. replacing grass paths with gravel, I believe). If we didn't insist on visiting these places, things would be so much better!
I'm not a fan of the NT: I find their approach to the presentation of the buildings they control irritating, sometimes twee, always rampantly commercial, and the volunteers can be unbelievably patronising.
We've (just me now) been members of Cadw for years and it gives us free entry to a lot of English Heritage places too.
Re. Sissinghurst, the real problem surely lies in the fact that it was designed as a low footfall private garden, not a visitor attraction. Opening it to the public I think necessitates a degree of regimentation and, sadly, alteration (e.g. replacing grass paths with gravel, I believe). If we didn't insist on visiting these places, things would be so much better!
Indeed, which is why we now stay away from the more famous visitor attractions, especially at weekends, school holidays or when they have seasonal highlights such as Autumn Colour, Bluebell Walks etc.
We did enjoy, a few years ago, a spectacular visit to the winter garden at Anglesea Abbey near Cambridge. The mix of hellebores, red dogwood, silver birch trees and snowdrops on a perfect winter's day was stunning!
Some of you might be interested in Historic Houses. Members can visit privately owned houses free, on certain days, including some of the more well- known places like Chatsworth ( gardens ), Hever Castle, Woburn Abbey, but also little known houses where you may be shown round by the owner. Usually visits are by guided tour only, but not always.
On our holiday this year in the Scottish Borders we visited eight different castles, stately homes or gardens for free, so we certainly got our money’s worth on our subscription.
For the record, if you want unpatronising NT volunteers, try Chastleton near Moreton in the Marsh. Shop is a tiny portakabin, teas provided by volunteers in the church next door. Lovely people.
Lunch at Killerton is part of our trip to Cornwall. There's a really nice restaurant, as well as a cafe, and an excellent shop. I usually end up buying NT jam, curds or marmalade to have on my breakfast toast while we're away.
Many years ago, Mrs BF and I sometimes visited NT properties in company with Herself's parents.
Mother-in-Law was often seen to take cuttings from plants in NT gardens (which I'm sure must be Strictly Forbidden), and, on at least one country walk, stopped to dig up large clumps of wild primroses (again, surely illegal?).
IIRC, Sissinghurst was one of the places subject to M-in-L's thievery...
Meanwhile, ION, the Episcopal Chariot has, as I feared, been written off due to saltwater damage to electrics and engine, but the insurance settlement is somewhat better than I had anticipated. TPTB at the Ark's mooring-place practice a diverse economy, and (in addition to boats) sell reasonably-priced, fairly modern cars, so in a couple of days' time I shall have a look, and see what's on offer!
I might go for something really, really macho - like a Ford Ka....
A bright pink Fiat 500 perhaps, with eyelashes stuck on above the headlights?
Being serious - how will the New Car be kept safe from Waterly Inundations?
O, I think eyelashes could be added to a bright red Ka....
As regards flooding, well, global warming etc. does mean that high tides may well be higher still in future, but last week's Inundation caught us on the hop (I say 'us', as about 35 cars were affected - most are write-offs), as it appeared that the water was not rising higher than predicted.
We had all, the previous evening, moved our vehicles to what we knew was a safe level, away from the water, had the tide done what it should, but the last-minute closure of the Thames Barrier sent the blessed H2O our way...
This all happened at silly o'clock (215am), when it was too late to do anything about it. One or two people had to concentrate on loosening their mooring lines, to avoid damage to boats and/or walkways...
Nice!
Well, my afternoon off didn’t materialise and I ended up working til 6 with no lunch. I’m now quite knackered after the intensive study weekend. I’ve asked the other half to get a takeaway/take me to the pub when he gets in as I can’t be bothered to cook.
I'm not a fan of the NT: I find their approach to the presentation of the buildings they control irritating, sometimes twee, always rampantly commercial, and the volunteers can be unbelievably patronising.
Ah but the tea shops! I’m fortunate to live close to a gorgeous NT garden with rare access to the river Test, where there’s usually an interesting exhibition too - currently “snapping the sixties” but we’ve had Thelwell (a very local man) twice and (bliss!) Kaffe Fasset. Whenever I need open air I head there.
I'm not a fan of the NT: I find their approach to the presentation of the buildings they control irritating, sometimes twee, always rampantly commercial, and the volunteers can be unbelievably patronising.
I found that at one of the sites we visited on Saturday, but the house was very busy. The shops are pricey but I chose well at the cafe.
We've (just me now) been members of Cadw for years and it gives us free entry to a lot of English Heritage places too.
That’s our next one. With three/four day weekends we need things to do.
I'm surprised at your view of the volunteers, @TheOrganist - whenever I fill in a NT survey I always say the volunteers are the best thing! I have a friend who volunteers at @daisydaisy 's local NT place and I think it's vital the NT recognises and values these 'resources'.
In my experience they all just love talking about where they work, or the special exhibitions, and it completely makes my day.
Sorry your mileage varies...
We ditched our EH membership because all the sites we seemed to come across were free entry anyway - apart from Kent, where we spent a week getting our money's worth from both
An interesting short programme by the BBC on the development of the Ministry of Works and the way it saved much of Britain's ancient heritage ... there's a good book on the subject called "Men from the Ministry" which I've read. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22616264. (I presume non-British Shipmates won't be able to see this).
Glad you enjoyed Mottisfont daisydaisy - but it makes damn all mention of the woman who gave it to the Trust, or her past, or her family, and only lipservice is paid to the Augustinians who had the original abbey.
Glad you enjoyed Mottisfont daisydaisy - but it makes damn all mention of the woman who gave it to the Trust, or her past, or her family, and only lipservice is paid to the Augustinians who had the original abbey.
I'm surprised to hear you say this, because Maud Russell features heavily in many of the room exhibits. Her diaries are often on display, for instance, and her clothes, and - well, anyway, I find this an unfair comment. When did you visit?
FWIW we would have kept our NT membership for the sake of Motty alone - being able to walk there and enjoy the grounds whatever the weather, plus the wonderful special exhibitions, would have been well worth whatever it is I pay for membership.
In response to this thread, I told my husband this morning we needed more trips out to nice houses at weekends, with or without the teenager.
A productive morning for me, both work and studies. Now having a quick omelette and browse before I go back to the grindstone.
Glad you enjoyed Mottisfont daisydaisy - but it makes damn all mention of the woman who gave it to the Trust, or her past, or her family, and only lipservice is paid to the Augustinians who had the original abbey.
I'm surprised to hear you say this, because Maud Russell features heavily in many of the room exhibits. Her diaries are often on display, for instance, and her clothes, and - well, anyway, I find this an unfair comment. When did you visit?
FWIW we would have kept our NT membership for the sake of Motty alone - being able to walk there and enjoy the grounds whatever the weather, plus the wonderful special exhibitions, would have been well worth whatever it is I pay for membership.
Not for quite some time - maybe I should go again! I still think they should have more on the Augustinians...
Exciting news! A French TV channel does a murder mystery series called Murder in… where each episode is set in a different French town.
Yesterday husband en rouge got a call from the production company saying that they want to make Murder in Foie Gras Land. They’d spotted the advert for our house on the internet (we have it on several sites, not sure which one they saw) and are interested in booking it to film in.
We have to get the agreement of all the neighbours, but I think our in-laws are working on that one. Fame at last! Our house is going to be on the telly!
Comments
@ferijen , thanks for your Bologna tips. I'm very envious that you get to visit the area on a regular basis. We're back home now, but we loved it, and want to return.
Mrs Sioni found a book on quilting (so there was no way that was going back on the shelf). I don’t recall a discount on that and I spent twenty minutes in the second-hand bookshop. Although both were houses plus gardens we managed not to buy any greenery.
We had lunch at Hipcote Manor and the pea & courgette soup was very good. Nice bread. Everyone else was happy with their deli rolls and light meals
Did someone mention CAKE?
I've had a fairly productive, and rather nice day (it helps that the sun is shining and the sky is blue). I coloured ny hair in the morning, cleaned the shower room while the colour was doing its thing and put the bedlinen in the wash (must go and take it out of the dryer and put it back on the bed). Then out for a lovely lunch with a couple of friends from the Cathedral, and after that got my hair cut.
I really ought to be either cooking or baking bread at the moment, but I'm going to have more time to get ready than I thought, as West Jet have goofed with their flight, and instead of arriving tomorrow afternoon, they won't get here until late tomorrow night. It's a hassle without which they could have done (although they did get to spend a day in London and when last I heard from them my sister was eating lobster and salmon in Harrods ...
That was yesterday ...
I made the bread late last night, just before going to bed.
Today hasn't been all that busy: I slept quite late (I never imagined I'd be able to sleep as well as I am doing), and have made an attempt at ratatouille for when my visitors arrive, and though I say it what shouldn't, I think it'll be rather nice.
I've spent a good bit of the afternoon on the phone: first with my brother and then with a friend from Newfoundland, so it's been a pleasant day!
SS - we joined the National Trust when we lived in Northern Ireland - quite early on, so I'd have been in my 20s and D. in his 30s, so you don't have to be old! After we left, we let our membership lapse - there isn't much point in having season tickets you'll never use.
Mr Nen and I joined for a year, a few years back, but let it lapse because we didn't use it regularly enough and in Mr Nen's mind it clearly is age related and he doesn't feel he's "at that stage" yet.
Also, in the year we joined, we were away in December and visited a local National Trust property. We could go round the gardens but because the house was dressed for Christmas we would have had to pay the entrance fee, even as members. We thought that was Pretty Darn Cheeky, and didn't.
It worked, as we now feel we have to get their money's worth out of our membership and visit frequently. As I have been unwell this year and didn't go out during the summer heatwave, we are now visiting one a week (as long as it isn't actually pouring all day).
We have bought items from the gift shop - but only occasionally as they are a bit pricey. We always spend time in the second-hand bookshop, but as our bookshelves are overfull already I only buy if I am also donating. Mr RoS makes a note of the ISBN number of any book he fancies, and orders it from the library.
We haven't been into many of the houses, as I prefer to walk in the grounds if it is not too wet. I particularly miss trees in our new home, so feast on the abundance surrounding many NT properties.
We always have lunch, and most of the time they are delicious, generous and good value.
As to the age thing - although the majority of visitors seem to be late-middle age and over, there are always a good number of young families when we are there, and on our last visit there were several parties of younger (under 40) people there without accompanying children.
I became a life member of the NT around 25 years ago when the rates were lower, with a small legacy from my Grandmother - it is a lovely way to remember her, especially as Mottisfont is only 10 mins away.
Today I completed making several jars of yummy tomato ketchup with harvest from t’allotment - I grabbed a couple of hours a day to do it in stages, otherwise I’d never have got around to doing it.
I bought a joint membership of the Cambridge Botanic gardens for Valentine’s Day and we used that to go to free evening music events in the summer. We need to use that more to meet for lunch. Now I’m studying again I intend to do some reading there in the cafe.
Beautiful red sky earlier today. Now I need to get some work done this morning. I’m taking the afternoon off as I spent the weekend at a rather intensive doctorate student residential and need to wind down a bit.
The x rays show lower spine problems but no reason yet. Could be osteoporosis but I’ve had a crashing fall recently and broke no bones, so I doubt it. If it’s arthritis they need to determine which one before they proceed.
Pilates really helps so I’ve booked some weekly private sessions to go with my weekly classes.
And L1 is only 25 and didn't feel stereotyped.
"Wakehurst is funded and managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew."
NT members get free entry to the mansion and grounds (if they can get though the huge pre-entry shop area without buying anything), but not free parking, which presumably goes to Kew.
I'm not planning a return to Sissinghurst, either. Far too regimented for my liking.
As a dweller in glorious West Sussex I have to agree. Lived here for over 30 years and still finding beautiful (both coastal and rural) new things!
Re. Sissinghurst, the real problem surely lies in the fact that it was designed as a low footfall private garden, not a visitor attraction. Opening it to the public I think necessitates a degree of regimentation and, sadly, alteration (e.g. replacing grass paths with gravel, I believe). If we didn't insist on visiting these places, things would be so much better!
We've (just me now) been members of Cadw for years and it gives us free entry to a lot of English Heritage places too.
On our holiday this year in the Scottish Borders we visited eight different castles, stately homes or gardens for free, so we certainly got our money’s worth on our subscription.
Mother-in-Law was often seen to take cuttings from plants in NT gardens (which I'm sure must be Strictly Forbidden), and, on at least one country walk, stopped to dig up large clumps of wild primroses (again, surely illegal?).
IIRC, Sissinghurst was one of the places subject to M-in-L's thievery...
Meanwhile, ION, the Episcopal Chariot has, as I feared, been written off due to saltwater damage to electrics and engine, but the insurance settlement is somewhat better than I had anticipated. TPTB at the Ark's mooring-place practice a diverse economy, and (in addition to boats) sell reasonably-priced, fairly modern cars, so in a couple of days' time I shall have a look, and see what's on offer!
I might go for something really, really macho - like a Ford Ka....
Being serious - how will the New Car be kept safe from Waterly Inundations?
O, I think eyelashes could be added to a bright red Ka....
As regards flooding, well, global warming etc. does mean that high tides may well be higher still in future, but last week's Inundation caught us on the hop (I say 'us', as about 35 cars were affected - most are write-offs), as it appeared that the water was not rising higher than predicted.
We had all, the previous evening, moved our vehicles to what we knew was a safe level, away from the water, had the tide done what it should, but the last-minute closure of the Thames Barrier sent the blessed H2O our way...
This all happened at silly o'clock (215am), when it was too late to do anything about it. One or two people had to concentrate on loosening their mooring lines, to avoid damage to boats and/or walkways...
Well, my afternoon off didn’t materialise and I ended up working til 6 with no lunch. I’m now quite knackered after the intensive study weekend. I’ve asked the other half to get a takeaway/take me to the pub when he gets in as I can’t be bothered to cook.
Or, perhaps, one of these.
In my experience they all just love talking about where they work, or the special exhibitions, and it completely makes my day.
Sorry your mileage varies...
We ditched our EH membership because all the sites we seemed to come across were free entry anyway - apart from Kent, where we spent a week getting our money's worth from both
OTOH, the BBC news app is rubbish, which is why I mostly read the Grauniad these days.
I'm surprised to hear you say this, because Maud Russell features heavily in many of the room exhibits. Her diaries are often on display, for instance, and her clothes, and - well, anyway, I find this an unfair comment. When did you visit?
FWIW we would have kept our NT membership for the sake of Motty alone - being able to walk there and enjoy the grounds whatever the weather, plus the wonderful special exhibitions, would have been well worth whatever it is I pay for membership.
A productive morning for me, both work and studies. Now having a quick omelette and browse before I go back to the grindstone.
Yesterday husband en rouge got a call from the production company saying that they want to make Murder in Foie Gras Land. They’d spotted the advert for our house on the internet (we have it on several sites, not sure which one they saw) and are interested in booking it to film in.
We have to get the agreement of all the neighbours, but I think our in-laws are working on that one. Fame at last! Our house is going to be on the telly!