Our First All Morgans' Day 2020 Planning Meeting at Blenheim Palace

Our First All Morgans' Day Planning Meeting at Blenheim Palace

Terry Seymour and I booked our meeting with the Blenheim Palace Events Team for 10 am on Tuesday 25th February.

As is my wont, I like to travel mid day requiring an overnight stay on Monday. For the first time in three events I decided to stay in the town of Woodstock itself rather than out in the sticks at The Holt Hotel, Steeple Ashton.

I booked a room in The Marlborough Hotel ( Note the Blenheim connection.) being one of the few hotels there with its own Car Park.

Sadly our Morgan Roadster 100, 'The Green Goddess', had to stay at home this time so I travelled in my other 3ltr V6 in the guise of another Green 2007 'S' Type Jaguar.

One very road dirty Jag finds its way into the Marlborough Hotel Car Park.

The hotel used to be a Carriage Stop on the route from Oxford to Worcester and has retained its original Arch & Gates.

The view looking towards Oxford along the A44

In the opposite direction.

Woodstock High Street

Woodstock Town Hall - Many years ago we used to visit here for a monthly Antiques Fair held in the Town Hall.

I was interested to take a look into the Blenheim Estate just in case there had been any changes during the last two years.

The only visitors at this time of day were a few local Dog Walkers. I took time out for a chat with the young man in the Ticket Box by the gate. 

Just across the square I noticed a new building. This is now the headquarters of the Blenheim Estate Management Team who look after everything except the events.

I popped my head around the Gate Arch to view the lake but the wind was howling towards me and it was very cold. 

The Vanbrugh Bridge looks a stunning as ever with its 20+ internal rooms, mostly under water.

The Palace looks magnificent from this angle.

A Flick on the Zoom for a better look.

Inside the Gate I noticed this plaque with its story.

"This gate was built the year after the death of the most illustrious John, Duke of Marlborough by order of Sarah, his most loving wife, to whom he left the sole direction of the many things that remained unfinished of this fabric.

The service of this great man to his country, the pillar will tell you, which the duchess has erected for a lasting monument of his glory and her affection to him."

The Column (Pillar) of Victory

Walking back towards the Town Hall.

The Orange 'Lambo' was a bit of a pull.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

Every Town should have one. 
The Woodstock Wooden Stocks.

One of the small side passages complete with handy 'Cash Point'.

Looking back along Market Street. The Feathers Hotel is on the left.

Back in the Marlborough Hotel I relax by the log fire to warm myself before heading out again for a meal.

The Reception Area.

The passage to my second floor bedroom.

Plenty of narrow twisting staircases.

The view from my bedroom window.

If it wasn't so early I could happily try out the bed for a nice short ziz.

The bathroom and location for a lovely warm shower.

My facilities - Lid up as expected.

The Rooftops of Woodstock

Characterful Art on the bedroom walls.

Even one about Fishing which should inspire Terry.

Heading out again to select a Pub for a pint and some food the lights of Woodstock add a little more colour

Market Street and the Feathers from another angle.

The Bear Hotel.  
Just after taking this photo I side stepped a lady entering the hotel. Then, all too late, I realised that it was the Director of Operations we were due to meet in the morning.

In one of the Antique shops was this interesting but shameful use of a vinyl recording of the 'Speeches of Sir Winston Churchill', that famous son of Blenheim Palace.

Having chosen The Kings Arms as my hostelry for my evening meal a quick inspection of the plumbing was in order.
I enjoyed a very refreshing pint of Fullers London Pride to go with my meal.

Happily refreshed I head back to my bed for a nice read and rest.

Studying the local architecture along the way. 
The photo is not distorted, just the building.

It is a bright sunny morning on Tuesday and as I ready myself for breakfast just a photo of the hotel inner courtyard.

My bedroom is on the third floor, just beneath that chimney.

The log fire is out now in the comfy lounge

Ready for breakfast I head for the buffet of cereals & yoghurt prior to ordering a welcome and enjoyable breakfast.

Plenty of historical pictures deck the walls. Too many for individual photos.

A niche full of antiques in the anti room. 

Another one for Terry as I spot the Fisherman in his Punt on the lake at Blenheim Palace. This same vista will be full of Morgan Cars on 7th June.

Getting ready to leave, one last photo of the inner courtyard from the corridor outside of my room.

The courtyard oak water-butt, ready for the gardener.

Relaxing in the other lounge as I wait for Terry to arrive.

Back in the Jag, driving into Woodstock towards the Palace Gate.

Terry leads the way across the park in his Landy.

I cant resist one more photo of the Vanbrugh Bridge across the lake.

Plenty of Dog Walkers in the park grounds this morning.

Walking in to The Oxford Pantry for our meeting.

 We were hoping to park near the gate but new rules intend to keep the area free of cars - I can see that one managed to sneak in.

Meeting over, a few photos around the Palace. 
Inside the East Courtyard.

Those famous Flagstaff Gates from inside.

11.15am - Just over one hour for our meeting.

I just love the architecture of Blenheim.

This lovely drawing, found in the shop, is spoilt by unavoidable light reflection.

The Power Point needed for our Public Address System - 
Note to self. 
We must ask for the key this time. 

Winter in the park but lots of swans on the lake just now.

The Eastern end of the East Ha Ha Display Area - we will need to move those picnic tables again. 

The East Ha Ha Display area and drive into The Great Court.

During All Morgans' Day

I centered the gate on the Tower but strangely the right hand side tower is missing??

The fabulous Great Court Gates

Superb Craftsmanship by the Blacksmiths.

These Great Court Gates are ready to repel boarders.

Terry takes an excellent Selfie of us both lurking by the gates.

The view across the Vanbrugh Bridge towards The Column of Victory.

The same view on the day. 

Plenty of visitors walking the parkland on this cold day.

A Fashionable Lady adding colour to the winter tones.

Terry and I continue assessing the display areas.

When full of Beautiful Morgans.

Terry catches me checking out the West Ha Ha display area with that Parking Plan tucked under the arm - 
( Note to self - Get that hair cut! )

Heading for the Ha Ha Moat.

Just discovering how far around the palace the lake extends.

There will be plenty of opportunity for superb backdrop photos for the owners cars located here.

The same area as it appeared during All Morgans' Day in 2018.

Cars on the Vanbrugh Bridge Drive

The grounds extending all the way back to Woodstock.

The Vanbrugh Bridge from the other angle.

The lake does wrap right around the Palace Building.

This magnificent display area will be ours to make full use of.

Our visit over, one last inspection of the Blenheim Plumbing before we leave for home.

On his way back to the car part Terry captures one half of the main drive display area.

The opposite side of the drive in 2018

Visitors are still entering the main gates this late in the day.

The Barnacle Geese are enjoying the new grass shoots.

Interesting antics while performing the art of taking a drink.

A little Hop, Skip and Neck Stretch.

And down it goes.

One of the Display Overspill Areas, should our bookings numbers exceed 700 Morgans.

One last look towards Flagstaff as I Turn for the exit gate.

Farewell Blenheim until 7th June.