I decided a year ago before we moved that I would be returning to SGT in Buckinghamshire to give the car the continuity of the Service Engineer there, Taff.
Knowing that the car needed to be in the garage early and remembering my age I once again travelled up the day before to enjoy the drive and have an early night.
Arriving early in the area I decided to have a pleasant afternoon with a visit to one of my favourite National Trust properties at Cliveden
The Cliveden Estate Plan
The Magnificent Fountain at the end of the Main Drive
The House is a Luxury Hotel at around £465 per person per night.
The drive was where the Annual Classic Car Show was always held.
A must see Garden if you ever make a visit.
On entering the gates it was obvious that the Flower Beds were between seasons - Empty
One of the many Ornate Statues to see
Some of the pieces of Topiary
The view from middle to begining
Just behind this wall is a very busy main road.
The side gate into the woodland garden
The view to the Fountain
The view towards the River Valley
More Garden Statues to enjoy
The Secret Garden has recently been given a full makeover and planted with all of these roses, no past their best.
Another view through the fence designed to keep the rabbits and deer out.
Through the tree can just be seen the magnificent clock tower at the house.
The side entrance doors to the Private area where the hotel guests may enjoy the outside swimming pool. This area was made famous during the Profumo scandal
This little drive crosses the main drive to allow deliveries to the house kitchens
The path through the hedge along the walled gardens
The well stocked borders.
The hotel is very busy today.
That Clock Tower again
A Rolls Royce photo shoot in action making it easy for me to get this shot.
The other side of the Walled Garden backing on to the Orangery
The Main House and West Wing
The Ornate Dovecot at the end of the Orangery wall.
The East end of the House
About the work ongoing to make the Steps safe again.
The Parterre Garden with its Box Hedges flower beds ready for re planting.
Tower Topping Ornamentation
The Masonry Work on the Steps
The West end of the Terrace
How the Parterre looked when first laid out
The view from the East side
The deep void alongside the Kitchens
Through the Window, a hazy view of one of the rooms.
Another window shot
The East Wing rooms
The Orangery Tea Rooms
Crossing the Car Parking Area, I spot another Hotel restriction sign
These are the Gates to the Hotel Relaxation facilities and that Swimming Pool Area. I was not aware that there was a 'Club' here, presumably for other than guests.
The Sign on the Gate Post
That Clock Tower again
Heading back towards the Visitors Car Park now I take the scenic route through the Picnic Area
While there are magnificent views along the River Thames on the other side of the estate, this small lake can be seen from my footpath. I imagine it is there as part of a drainage scheme.
The Visitors Bus to the House and Gardens areas. I was tempted, but not just yet.
One the other side of the car Park is another area worthy of exploration as it leads through the Japanese Water Garden to the Cottage Tea Rooms and Children's Play Area.
Onwards from there is the Grand Drive and Woodland Walks which follow the line of the River Thames for a couple of miles towards an old disused entrance gate near the village of Taplow.
Just behind the Car Park Wall (It is located in old Walled Garden) is the latest major recovery project. The original maze, lost over the years has been re planted and open to the public to explore.
I have never been in on previous visits, but the plaintive cries of a child being guided by its mother from the entrance changed my mind. I did not have time to make the full exploration to the centre and back so just when in along a few of the paths.
You either love Mazes or you hate them. That fear of never finding you way out again.
Ah! Which way do I go now?
The Maze 'Minders Hut' was empty and I am not sure if the Drawing is the Route or just a diagram? The reassuring message 'You Will Be Found' did not add ' Dead or Alive' I notice
Just around the corner is the water Garden with is lovely Pagoda and Giant Koi Carp.
The Lakes here have a problem of Murky Water which the keepers have never been able to resolve but the fis are visible as the swim near to the surface and tend to gather near the bank when people stand there to view them.
Looking back towards the Maze Entrance
Just outside of the Cliveden Shop is an array of Garden Ornaments and Plants
There is another Tea & Coffee Booth just here where I would come with our Dog.
All of the other areas I have just visited here are restricted to Dogs. Only the Woodland Walk is available.
The Visitors Information Centre
And Finally, Back to the Morgan.
I now need to set off for my overnight stay in Gerrards Cross
Just a 15 minute drive from Cliveden and I am in the Hotel Car Park. I will be going out again later to have dinner with my Son. Then when I return, on will go the All Weather Cover as well.
As I do not want to roam around outside now, here are a couple of photos of Gerrards Cross from the Hotel Wall Hangings.
The Hotel Entrance as it used to look before it was moved to the right hand end.
The Pond on the Village Green
The Tree which is forming the shadow on the Photo of the Front Entrance, floodlit a night.
The Following Morning, I deliver the Morgan to the Garage and then take the Slow Train to London from Taplow Station which is just a short walk across from the Garage.
My Destination - The Victoria and Albert Museum once more.
The Schools are just beginning their Half Term Holidays and there are children everywhere, sketching the exhibits.
I head straight for the displays of fashion through the ages.
I apologise for the Flashlight but it was quite dark in there.
Typical of Victorian Styling
The next hall was full of Beautiful Statues - Far to many to photograph.
The last time I visited I found new areas. This open courtyard with pool is the latest find. I am amazed at the beautiful architecture of this building.
The Shallow Pool
In the building opposite I find the Cafe where I took lunch on my very first visit. Not today though as I will be going across the road to the Science Museum soon.
Upstairs on the first floor I find myself on a gallery between the two Halls of Full Sized Plaster Copies that I featured last time.
Then I turn another corner and find yet another new area.
The Glazed Roof indicates that this was once an outside area.
Back inside I take my final photo here and leave for the Science Museum.
Following Lunch in the Space Cafe again, I wander a few more exhibits not seen here before, plus a few seen before but from different angles.
I found this structure in a area dedicated to 'Materials'. It is laminated from hundreds of different products.
Cabinets indicating products and inventions using Materials of all sorts.
I did not go up here last time and missed the Clocks and Watches displays. An opportunity for my own Ariel Photographs
On the opposite Balcony I find this fabulous display of models. Many of which have wheels which rotate at the press of a button.
Beautiful Model Engineering
The Schneider Trophy plane. Forerunner of the famous 'Spitfire'
Schneider Trophy Video
Trophy Video Two.
Apple's First Prototype of the Apple I Computer (seen from above).
The Car Stack from below.
Full Size Railway Engine
Space Rocket with an Early Satellite Launching System
An Early Rocket Engine.
More fine Model Machines
Enough of Museums for another day. I decided to take a walk to the Park to find the Albert Memorial.
On the way I decided to photograph some of the fine Architecture.
Immediately adjacent to the Science Museum is the main entrance of Imperial College London
A Magnificent Art Deco Styled Apartment Block
A Terrace of Houses typical of affluent London at the turn of Last Century
Another Elegant Apartment Block
Around the corner is another Facade of the Science Museum which may once have been its Main Entrance
Looking back on that facade again
Turn another Corner and there is the Royal Albert Hall.
It is interesting in how the Apartment Buildings are also curved to follow the curvature of the roads.
One famous resident of an apartment here. Orchestra Conductor..
Sir Malcolm Sargent
And there it is, On the edge of Hyde Park, The Albert Memorial
The Albert Memorial
.From the Memorial Steps I can now take the Iconic Photo of the Whole Hall
The Royal Albert Hall
The Tourist Plan of Hyde Park
The Royal Collage of Organists
The Royal College of Organists
Another Fine Apartment Building
I cant find any information on this Chimney
The Royal Albert Hall Main Entrance
The Royal Academy of Music Building
More Apartments
The Prince Albert Statue
The Diamond Jubilee Steps
The Imperial Collage Map
Cycle Storage, Colledge Style
One of the Kensington Side Streets
An Apartment Block Courtyard Entrance
A Modern Office Block
The West End Corner of the Natural History Museum
Institut Francais
I get the call that my Mog has passed its test and is ready for collection and make my way back to Taplow via Paddington.
Arriving at SGT I can just see the front of the MOG at the left hand side where it was being cleaned. Sadly my 85 mile journey home would probably cancel out the effect of that hard work
Once the bill is paid the car is ready for me at the front door.
So it is Farewell to SGT until the next time.
Frank
Onwards from there is the Grand Drive and Woodland Walks which follow the line of the River Thames for a couple of miles towards an old disused entrance gate near the village of Taplow.
I have never been in on previous visits, but the plaintive cries of a child being guided by its mother from the entrance changed my mind. I did not have time to make the full exploration to the centre and back so just when in along a few of the paths.
The Lakes here have a problem of Murky Water which the keepers have never been able to resolve but the fis are visible as the swim near to the surface and tend to gather near the bank when people stand there to view them.
All of the other areas I have just visited here are restricted to Dogs. Only the Woodland Walk is available.
I now need to set off for my overnight stay in Gerrards Cross
The Following Morning, I deliver the Morgan to the Garage and then take the Slow Train to London from Taplow Station which is just a short walk across from the Garage.
My Destination - The Victoria and Albert Museum once more.
The Schools are just beginning their Half Term Holidays and there are children everywhere, sketching the exhibits.
I head straight for the displays of fashion through the ages.
I apologise for the Flashlight but it was quite dark in there.
The next hall was full of Beautiful Statues - Far to many to photograph.
The last time I visited I found new areas. This open courtyard with pool is the latest find. I am amazed at the beautiful architecture of this building.
Then I turn another corner and find yet another new area.
The Glazed Roof indicates that this was once an outside area.
Back inside I take my final photo here and leave for the Science Museum.
Following Lunch in the Space Cafe again, I wander a few more exhibits not seen here before, plus a few seen before but from different angles.
I found this structure in a area dedicated to 'Materials'. It is laminated from hundreds of different products.
Schneider Trophy Video
Trophy Video Two.
Enough of Museums for another day. I decided to take a walk to the Park to find the Albert Memorial.
On the way I decided to photograph some of the fine Architecture.
It is interesting in how the Apartment Buildings are also curved to follow the curvature of the roads.
Sir Malcolm Sargent
The Albert Memorial
The Royal Albert Hall
The Royal College of Organists
I get the call that my Mog has passed its test and is ready for collection and make my way back to Taplow via Paddington.
Frank
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