Museum of The History of Science

In the middle of Oxford is the world's oldest surviving purpose built museum building, the Old Ashmolean on Broad Street, Oxford.   It is now the Museum of the History of Science.  The museum is small and you need only an hour or so to see all of the exhibits.  There are many beautiful scientific instruments on display, some of which are nearly 1000 years old.  The instruments are not only ingenious but many are beautifully crafted and are, in their own way,  works of art.  It is well worth a visit.   

Some of the highlights at the museum include Albert Einstein's writing preserved on a blackboard; Lewis Carroll's and T.E. Lawrence's cameras; and Marconi's original morse code devise. 

This is Albert Einstein's actual writing on a blackboard that has been preserved since May 1931.  

This is the photographic gear that Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, used while taking photographs of Alice and her sisters.

This is the camera used by Lawrence of Arabia

Surgery instruments from the early 1800's

A drawing from 1730 that shows the museum just right of the Sheldonian.

For more information:  http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/

Haddon Hall, Bakewell Derbyshire

One of the most fascinating "houses" I've seen this year is Haddon Hall in the Peaks District, Derbyshire. It is one of the finest examples of a medieval manor in England.  It dates back to the 12th  century and was used until the 17th century.    It was then left empty for over 200 years and so bypassed more modern renovations.  In the 1920s the 9th Duke and Duchess of Rutland restored the house and gardens and made it their home. 

Haddon Hall is located alongside the River Wye, just out side of Bakewell, and not far from the magnificent Chatsworth House.   From around 1087, the house was owned by William the Conqueror's illegitimate son, William Peverel, and his descendants.  It changed hands, through marriage, to the Vernon family on the 13th century.  

The property changed hands once more in the 16th century when, again through marriage, the Manners family took hold of Haddon. In 1703 the Manners became Duke and Duchess of Rutland. They chose to make their primary home in the spectacular Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire so left Haddon house unused. As a result, Haddon Hall stood abandoned and neglected for more than 200 years, between 1702 and 1920.

Because Haddon Hall is so well preserved as medieval manor house, it is often featured in historical films and television programs.  It was used for Humperdinck's castle in The Princess Bride and in the movie Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley.

For a full list of movies and TV programs filmed at Haddon Hall:  http://www.haddonhall.co.uk/film-and-photo-shoots/films-and-television-programmes-featuring-haddon-hall/

The house is open to visitors from April to October, with a whole host of special events being staged throughout the season.  

We were there on a September day where a medieval musical troop performed a wonderful concert.

This room really impressed me.  It is called the Long Hall and it was designed to give the women of the Manor and place to walk and get their exercise no matter what the weather was outside. 

The dining room 

 A portrait of  King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth of York are carved into the wood paneling

A medieval kitchen

Drawings on the wall of the Chapel

This tomb was carved by Lord Haddon's mother, Violet Haddon. She had little training as a sculptor but when her young son died, she found solace in learning the craft and creating this beautiful tomb. It reads: ‘Robert Charles John Manners, Lord Haddon. Born Aug. 8th 1885, Died Sept. 28th 1894. Eldest son of Henry 8th Duke of Rutland, K.G. and Violet his Wife. For ever wilt thou grieve and he be fair.’ And, at the foot of the base: ‘Hope of my eyes/ Something is broken that we cannot mend/ With Grief, Remembrance/ Pride and Love, I decorate/ his Memory/ Dear dear little Boy/ You give us all Perpetual Benediction. Entirely designed and modelled/ by his Mother.’

Haddon Hall seems to make the middles ages come back to life.  On Trip Advisor one reviewer said, "On a scale of 1-10, Haddon Hall is a 15!" I agree. It certainly is well worth a visit. 

The Autumn Colors of Oxford

England's Autumn colors are beautiful but much more subtle when compared to the seasonal colors of New England.  What you see here are splashes of colors against a fairly constant green backdrop.  Sometimes it's the shrubbery and vines here that boast the brightest Autumn colors.  (By the way, Fall is an American word) 

 In New England, you can see entire forests transformed into a glorious blaze. There is nothing quite like the brilliant red of maple trees  and the vibrant yellow of  the trees of New England.  I feel fortunate to be able to enjoy them them both!

Oxford Autumn Colors

  

Magdalen Tower 

 The tree-lined Poplar Walk at Christchurch 

Christchurch

Christchurch Meadow

The Thames at Iffley Lock

St. Mary's Church Yard

Old Iffley Village

Egrove Park

Looking down Headington Road from the Brooks Campus Bridge

New England Fall Colors

Where is your favorite place to see the Autumn colors?