Every picture has a thousand stories

There are so many reasons I love to visit National Trust Houses, least of which is their astounding array of artworks. I kinda hyperventilate sometimes when I recognise a very famous painting.. just hanging there. Other times, when the room may be quiet, and the attendant is particularly helpful, I will get some history behind pieces; which again brings it all to life and more excitement about the place.

This painting is one that the duchess at Nunnington hated with a passion. It was painted when she was about 12 and held so many flaws that the painting was hidden until past her death. Her daughter, the most recent owner of the property before it was handed to the National Trust ensured that the painting was hung in pride of place along with its story. 

The duchess maintains that the dress was so scratchy and dreadful to wear, that it was only used for the sitting. Her family was shocked that the artist placed her on a couch in the way she is sitting, as she would never have been allowed to sit on the arms like this. She would never have been allowed to have shoes on near the furniture and certainly never have been allowed to have an outside toy within the house, let alone the sitting room. The best bit about this story is, is that the duchess's mother saw the painting and got the artist to come back and extend the length of the dress by a few inches as the actual dress was far too short and showed her knees.  LOL!

Nunnington Hall - Yorkshire

Nunnington Hall is a beautiful Tudor Manor house in the Yorkshire dales. We visited because it houses the worlds largest collection of minature dolls houses and scenes. The toy collection through the ages is extensive as well.

I took a load of photos, but have chose a few to share. The lady of the manor had miniatures of her home here - or her other homes made and decorated with actual fabrics and incidentals ( plates, chandeliers, paintings) The collection is exquisite in its detail and simply priceless. 

There was a section for kids to dress up in the era that the home was in its 'hey day' Lily chose to be a flapper and loves the feeling of gloves and jewellery. 

Tudor dark wood rooms. I love the paneling and the floorboards.

A tribute to the hunting craze of the gentry. So many skins and heads. It was a bit creepy to be honest.

The gardens are renown as one of the finest in the area. It has a huge organic walled kitchen garden and beautifully manicured hedges and formal gardens.  One of the stories that I loved, was that in winter, the lord woudl flood the front garden and allow it to freeze ( doing this several times for several layers of ice.) and then the children and family would go skating on the a huge rink it formed. 

Life as a monk Madhyamaka Buddhist Meditation Temple

I guess by now we have slipped into our roles here at the Buddhist Temple. I think, with only a few reservations, I'd be happy to continue here for a few months. Its peaceful and the people here are accommodating and kind. The volunteer work is not dreadful, though the hours are long and gives very little opportunity for the kids to do their homeschooling, or for us to see any of the sights around the area.

The kids are pictured here dinging the meal gong, which needs to be sounded in a few places around the mansion.

Our day starts when we wander down to the communal hall for breakfast. We help ourselves to what is there, generally there is apples and oranges, sometimes there is yoghurt, but there is always rice bubbles and cornflakes as well as bread for toast. 

We have mediation classes directly afterwards, which then leads to our work meeting to direct volunteers to do what is required for the morning, or day. We've been doing gardening almost exclusively, but have been assigned to assist with the B and B part of the temple, in the laundry; which is great as it means a bit of a change.  The kids have been positive the whole time and work hard alongside me. I'm not sure many other kids would continue the way they have been. 

Lunch is the main meal of the day and one we all look forward to, as the different monks are assigned to prepare it every day. Some are great cooks. Some have talents which may not be in the culinary arts.

We work until 5.30; giving a little time before dinner, which is sometimes toast and soup, other times a baked potato and beans, and other times a pasta dish. One thing is certain, you won't put on weight while working here.

The evenings are generally clear if you aren't interested in joining in on the chants and prayer sessions. Its given us a good space to quieten the mind and reflect on the huge journey we have just undertaken. 

We've spoken a little to some of the monks - who join us for some meals. Dordy is a real character and has really upset the apple cart on my perception of what a monk is. He is covered in tats and is a self professed previous 'bad boy'. He has found real peace and harmony here, a real connection with his place in the universe. Its wonderful to sit with him and laugh and hear his perception on certain topics.