Travel | The Travel Lady In Her Shoes

November: Home is Where One Starts From; Ireland

Gallarus Oratory, Dingle, Ireland

This past year I had my DNA tested. I have over 45,000 names in my family tree and have done extensive research on my family including going to the villages of my root families in France and the UK. I have traced my family on my fathers side (France/Germany) and mothers side (the UK), both back to the 1600’s. But, as it is, you get so many pieces of DNA from your father and from your mother, who in turn got pieces from their mothers and fathers, ect….. My DNA determined, that a big part of me, (43%) is Western European, specifically from France, Germany and Switzerland. I am (15%) Scandinavian, specifically from Norway and Sweden. and (12%) from Great Britain…. I thought that was extremely low since that figures so much into my family tree and where I have done so much research. But, my biggest surprise was the (28%) Irish! I could find only one family in my family tree with actual Irish descent! Maybe that explains my love of story telling and writing! So here is a photo of me in front of the Gallarus Oratory in Ireland!

The Gallarus Oratory name is interpreted as either “rocky headland” or “house or shelter for foreigners,” and is a chapel located on the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland. It has been determined to be an early Christian stone church by its discoverer, antiquary, Charles Smith, in 1756. In 1970, archaeologist Peter Harbison, determined it was a a 12th-century Romanesque church, and in 1994 it was determined to be a shelter for pilgrims. The local tradition prevalent at the time of the oratory’s discovery attributed it to one Griffith More, being a funerary chapel built by him or his family at their burial place. I am glad to see the oratory was a combination of its roots too!

Home is Where One Starts From!

To me, November is everything about the home. We are preparing our homes for the shorter days and longer dark nights; settling in so to speak with a good book and a cup of cocoa in front of the fire. November is also all about the family and food and sharing. So through November I will share tidbits about the home and some fascinating photos of homes around the world. Enjoy!

Thursday Doors: Père LaChaise Cemetery, Paris, France

Père LaChaise Cemetery

Today, I thought I would do something different for Thursday Doors. This is a video I made of Père LaChaise Cemetery in Paris, France! Lots of doors here!

The cemetery is named after Father Francois de la Chaise, (1624-1709) the confessor to Louis XIV, who lived in the Jesuit house that was on the property at one time. The sight opened as a cemetery on May 21, 1804 with the burial of a five year old child. That first year only thirteen people were buried here because it was felt the cemetery was too far from Paris. Also, Catholics would not be buried here because the Catholic Church had not blessed it. Later in 1804, with great fanfare, the decision was made to transfer the remains of Jean de La Fontaine (poet) and Molière (actor/writer), seen as rock stars in their day, to the cemetery. Again in 1817, the purported remains of Abélard (philosopher) and Héloise d’Argenteuil (his lover) were also transferred with their monument’s canopy made from fragments of an abbey. This strategy led to the desired results: people were determined to be buried among the famous citizens. The famous and wealthy people buried here would try to out do each other, even in death, with beautiful burial chambers, most the size of a phone booth, but some very extravagant. Père Lachaise was expanded five times and today over one million bodies are buried here in 110 acres. Many, many more are in the columbarium, which holds the remains of those who have requested cremation.

Today, strict rules apply to be buried in the cemetery. To be buried here one must have died in Paris or lived there. Also there are 50, 30 and 10 year leases on the burial sites. After the lease is up the remains are removed and placed in Aux Morts, (to the Dead) an ossuary, similar to the famous catacomb sights. When the ossuary is full, the bones are cremated and then returned to the sight. I wanted to see the graves of Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde. A roster of all the famous people buried here can be found on the internet. I would suggest taking a map of the cemetery with you or download the Maplet of Père Lachaise Cemetery on your IPhone as we had. After all there are 110 acres to explore and it is very steep and uneven with forest like ledges in some areas. Also note, that at 4pm in the winter, bell ringers ringing old fashioned school bells, walk the cemetery to announce that the cemetery closes at 5pm. You do not want to be locked in the cemetery left to scale a 20 foot gate! I hope you enjoy the video!

This is just one of many photos in the Thursday Door Collection featured by Norm2.0! Won’t you join in or take a peak at all the doors?

November: A Man’s Home is His Castle; Ireland

Obriens Tower, Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

To me, November is everything about the home. We are preparing our homes for the shorter days and longer dark nights; settling in so to speak with a good book and a cup of cocoa in front of the fire. November is also all about the family and food and sharing. So through November I will share tidbits about the home and some fascinating photos of homes around the world. Enjoy!

Let’s start in Ireland! The English judge and jurist Sir Edward Coke (pronounced cook) declared in a ruling known as Semayne’s Case, that there were strict limits on how sheriffs could enter a person’s house. In a famous and much quoted decision from 1604, Coke declared that “the house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress as well for defense against injury and violence, as for his refuge” which over the years has become simplified to “a man’s home is his castle”.

The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the crown. It may be frail – its roof may shake – the wind may blow through it – the storm may enter – the rain may enter – but the King of England cannot enter.”

Honoring the Dead: Graveyards; The Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague

The Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, The Czech Republic

Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, The Czech Republic

The Old Jewish Cemetery is the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe and one of the most important historical monuments in Prague.

Starting at the middle of the 15th century, the gravestones record is a continual time line of burials. The final gravestone is dated 1787.

For more than three centuries in which the cemetery was in active use, it struggled with lack of space. Respect for the dead does not allow for the abolishment of old graves. When space ran out and Jews were no longer allowed to buy more ground, they had to gain space in other ways. Another layer of soil was heaped on the old graves and more people were buried! There are sections in this cemetery twelve layers thick! The older graves remained intact this way, and some of the older headstones were moved to the new higher surface. This explains the dense forest of gravestones that one sees today. The surface of the cemetery is much higher than the surrounding streets and retaining walls are necessary to hold the soil and graves in place. This is one of the saddest and most unusual graveyards I have ever visited.

JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Costume

The Last Witch Standing Wins!

I Hope you have enjoyed JNW’s Halloween Challenge!

I know I did! Thanks Jennifer!

JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Creature

Creature in Quebec, Canada

I’m glad this fella is behind bars!

Have a spooktacular time with JNW’s Halloween Challenge! Enjoy!

Thursday Doors: Prague

Prague, The Czech Republic

Prague is an architect’s dream! You can’t just take a picture of a door here without getting the scope of the entire building! What beauty! It is quite the tourist destination so many photos will also feature Tourists! I took these photos before I got into the habit of getting up early to take photos before the tourists arrived!

Prague, The Czech Republic

Prague is a blend of old and new. This pink building is a motorcycle shop!

Prague, The Czech Republic

Prague is a place of many doorways to another doorway! And I love all the cobbled, tiny streets! This was the way to our hotel…….

Prague, The Czech Republic

And this was the door to the hotel!

Prague, The Czech Republic

And there is a door on the famous Prague Astronomical Clock!

The Astonomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic

The Astronomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic

The medieval astronomical clock can be found in Old Town Square. Legend says Hanus, the clockmaker, made the clock that was so admired by everyone, but he refused to show anyone how it was made. When he decided to build an even better clock the city officials became jealous and blinded him so he could not finish the clock. He then damaged the astronomical clock in revenge, and no-one was able to repair it.

The Real history of the clock is this. In 1961 an old document was found which described the clock and said it was made by Mikulas of Kadan in 1410. It was repaired and improved over the centuries, but eventually it was so faulty, it was mostly not working at all, and by 1780 it stopped working altogether. In 1865 major repairs were made to the clock and in 1945 the clock was damaged heavily during the war. After the war the clock was repaired and the striking of the clock was changed from Old Czech Time to the Central European Time.

The wooden figures of the apostles appear in the windows every hour and some of the other sculptures move. Death holds an hourglass, vanity is a man with a mirror, Miserliness is a man with a moneybag. There is also an astronomer, chronicler, philosopher and angel. When the apostles finish their journey, the golden rooster crows and flaps his wings, the bell rings, and the clock strikes the hour.

The Astronomical Dial shows the medieval perception of the Universe: the Earth is the center. The blue part of the dial represents the sky above the horizon, the brown part the sky below it.

There are three circles on the dial showing different times. The outer circle shows Italian time and the inner circle shows “Babylonian Time,” the length of an hour differs there according to season……longer in summer and shorter in winter. This clock is the only one in the world that measures it. The little star by the zodiac ring shows the fixed stars.

The newest part of the clock is the Calendar Dial. There is the Prague Old Town symbol in the centre. The rotary outer circle describes every single day of the year, and the current date is indicated at the top. There are also medallions with zodiac signs and pictures depicting every month. Wow, this is quite the clock!

This is just one of many photos in the Thursday Door Collection featured by Norm2.0! Won’t you join in or take a peak at all the doors?

I Had to Come Back to Sissinghurst!

A Cottage at Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

To me, no garden tour in the UK would be complete without a visit to Sissinghurst, the home and gardens of Vita Sackville-West. I made my way back again this year to make sure they had not changed anything on me!. It is still one of the most beautiful gardens! So without further ado I present another National Trust property that you will never forget! If you are not familiar with Vita Sackville-West, you might want to start with this story, Here.

There are several smaller cottages on the Sissinghurst property, well not so small exactly! I think I could handle living in one of them! There are multiple gardens in addition to the main property.

This is the entrance to the featured gardens. We try to be one of the first there, because it gets crowded very quickly. The entrance is still closed.

Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, UK

When the entrance is opened, that leads to another entry through the Prospect Tower. This photo is looking back at the Main Entry from the garden.

Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

The Back of the Main House, Sissinghurst, UK

The Back of the Main House, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, UK

A little secret…….the head gardener leaves free packets of seeds from the Sissinghurst Garden on the narrow ledge in the alcove below the stairs to Vita’s writing retreat. They are gone in the first 15 minutes! Hurry!

The Priests are still guarding and giving their blessing!

Sissinghurst Garden, UK

Remember the Sissinghurst Garden is made up of several outdoor garden rooms all featuring a different color that fades into the next gardening room. My favorite is the White Garden so I always go there first.

The White Garden at Sissinghurst Gardens, Cranbrook, UK

My absolute favorite are the silvery-grey flowers and leaved plants!

The White Garden at Sissinghurst Gardens, Cranbrook, UK

The White Garden at Sissinghurst Garden, UK

The White Garden at Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

Next we go into the garden of lavenders and purple flowers.

The Purple Garden at Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, UK

From there we go into the Pink Gardens………..

The Pink Garden at Sissingurst Garden, UK

The Pink Garden at Sissingurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

Sweetpeas in the Pink Garden, Sissinghurst, UK

Sweetpeas in the Pink Garden, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, UK

The Pink Garden, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, UK

The Pink Garden, Sissinghurst Garden, UK

The Pink Garden, Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

For another look at the Garden from last year look HERE!

On the way out I looked over the out buildings again………

Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

And the Old Barn where the gift shop and restaurant is now.

Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

The oasts are still there………so I am happy to say they are taking really good care of the grounds…… To learn about Oasts Look HERE!

Sissinghurst Garden, Cranbrook, UK

To keep up our energy we stopped at the Three Chimney’s Pub nearby….. AGAIN!!!

Yummy!

Another year complete with my Sissinghurst fix…..

PS For a really good read about Vita look HERE! See you tomorrow in the Garden!

October: A Month of Pumpkins; Day 26, And The Winner Is

The Clear Winner is Quebec City, Canada

No question about which is the biggest pumpkin here!

1 Elm Cottage at Windmill Hill

1 Elm Cottage

Doesn’t 1 Elm Cottage at Windmill Hill just seem like the perfect place to live? It does to me! It just rolls off the tongue,”I live at 1 Elm Cottage at Windmill Hill!” This is our last garden for the day and compared to our previous stops Windmill Hill is a metropolis! What a delight the gardens have been on the Herstmonceux Trail! They have all been very different and 1 Elm Cottage is no exception!

The garden was chosen because this gardener has physical handicaps and she wanted to show what can be done with a little space and ingenuity! She says her long-handled fork is her best friend! What a delight she was, as she welcomed everyone to her lovely garden!

The garden is set at the front of a long row of connected cottages on a very, very busy street. Her cottage sets back from the others, but is still a connected cottage and I wondered if at one time this might have been a business with a parking lot. It was unusual too, because I don’t remember seeing a garden in the front of the cottage. Most of the gardens are in the back. She said the front space was a wasteland when she took it over. It now is a stunning garden packed full of edible and flowering plants and a critter or two that I really liked! So let’s get a move on and tour this garden!

The Windmill in Windmill Hill

There really is a windmill at Windmill Hill!

1 Elm Cottage

She collects rainwater to recycle……

1 Elm Cottage

And has water for these little guys….. even though they don’t ever move!

1 Elm Cottage

1 Elm Cottage

This garden seems larger than it is because it’s layered with plantings and seating areas in different heights.

1 Elm Cottage

1 Elm Cottage

I LOVED these fellas, they don’t move either, but you had to look close to see that!

1 Elm Cottage

This tiny garden had three sitting areas!

1 Elms Cottage

And a greenhouse!

1 Elm Cottage

A lovely garden girl……..

1 Elm Cottage

And lots of watering cans!

1 Elm Cottage

The Gardener at 1 Elm Cottage!

I hope you enjoyed this garden as much as we did! Tomorrow, it’s Sissinghurst, AGAIN this year!!!! It is one of my favorite gardens! See You There!

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November: Home is Where One Starts From; Ireland

Thursday Doors: Père LaChaise Cemetery, Paris, France

November: A Man’s Home is His Castle; Ireland

Honoring the Dead: Graveyards; The Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague

JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Costume

JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Creature

Thursday Doors: Prague

I Had to Come Back to Sissinghurst!

October: A Month of Pumpkins; Day 26, And The Winner Is

1 Elm Cottage at Windmill Hill

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