Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Tout Bien au Rien


Only 30 minutes away from London by train lay Horsley Park - 70 acres of spectacular parkland, and within it, a real jewel – a grand Victorian mansion, called Horsley Towers.  It was built in 1820s as the ancestral home of the Lovelace family. One of the family mottos was; `Tout Bien au Rien` which translates as `Do your best or not at all` - a great slogan for today`s challenging times, don`t you think?

The place is steeped in history. In 1835 the Earl of Lovelace married Augusta Ada Byron, the only daughter of Lord Byron, who was – rumour has it – an opium addict, just like her farther, and unfortunately died of drug overdose in 1852.

In the late 1850s a system of cloisters were built at the back of the original building. They served a similar purpose to modern conservatries, and to these days are real feasts for the eye.
Local folk believe in some spooky presence in the house, but I only experienced a total silence at night, which was extremely relaxing.
I am wearing an Escada t-shirt and shorts and clogs by Chanel

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