Wednesday 23 May 2012

Dudmaston Hall a Walk Down Memory Lane

"George what's that down there"







"Its a Dingle Tess, I suppose you want to know what a Dingle is?
 in this case its a deep wooded valley"








"There's a reason why I thought Dudmaston Hall would be a good birthday outing for you.
Grandad Baker was a Gardener here years ago and Mom was allowed to come with him sometimes"






 "They have let the garden get over grown!!"
"This isn't the garden Tess, we are not allowed by the Hall or Garden but can take a walk around the wood."








"Take a look at this Tess its a boat house"









"George you will be in heaps of trouble if you get muddy!"









"Lets just take a rest, and I'll tell you a couple of story's that Grandad Baker told me when he was reminiscing about the place.




 "This  is the front of the Hall, Grandad had to help with the removal of a carpet in one of the upstairs bedrooms, it was very big and heavy, there as no way it would go down the staircase. So an upstairs window was removed to get it out that way. After a count of three Grandad and the other members of staff that were helping ran at the window. The carpet went half out and ended up hanging in mid air!! As this was all going on, a local removing van had come up the drive and parked right under the window where the carpet was hanging out!! of course they didn't know this so picking up the bit of the carpet left and pushed it out of the window. It landed right  on top of the van and to made matters worst put a dent in it!!"

"This is the back of the Hall, Grandad and the other gardeners were asked to move a mill wheel, they had managed to get it on a trailer being pulled by a tractor and where moving very slowly passed the back of the building, it didn't help that it had been snowing and was frosty.  All of a sudden there was a loud crack, the pin holding the trailer box broke!!  Next thing the mill wheel made a run for it. Jumped off the trailler and bounced all the way down the garden and ended in the lake at the bottom!!" 

"Wow George they were funny story's, I didn't know he worked here. I will take more notice when he's telling story's next time.









We have the other side of the dingle to walk back along, so while we make our way back Mom can show you some photos





  







Mom remembered that she had some very old photos that Grandad had taken when he was working here, we think they are around 45years old!! So she printed them off and went back on the Sunday to try and stand in the same place for an up to date photo.











"I enjoyed my birthday outing down Memory Lane
Thanks George" 


Dudmaston Hall is owned by The National Trust
I think most of you know I am in their Summer Magazine.
You can check out my reader's snapshot
via this LINK, see if you can find the page I'm on
We will be giving a copy away, details will be on the next months Tess 

Have a Good Week
See Yea George xxx 

26 comments:

meowmeowmans said...

We very much enjoyed that trip down memory lane, George and Tess! What a wonderful place Dudmaston Hall is! :)

Taryn said...

Very pretty! I especially like the before and after shots with old photographs.

Finn said...

Wow, so pretty. I like that you were able to visit the exact same places too. And that is a funny carpet story!

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Such a lovely place.. both THEN and NOW. Butt I think it is FURENDLIER with you two in the pictures!!!

rottrover said...

What a beautiful birthday outing!

Bart and Ruby

Rubie and Poots (her Mum) said...

That was just lovely George and Tess - you get to go great places. We loved looking at the "before and after" pictures..... it seems the smaller plants and bushes change - but the bigger trees are still there and are just bigger! Real interesting.

Don't tell anybody....but my peeps and I are about to take separate short holidays - they are going on a house that floats on a river.....and I am going to a beach house by the beach. It's gonna be cold for all of us though! I'll let you know how it goes.

Gotta Pack, Tail Wuggles, Rubie

Michelle said...

George and Tess,
Thank you so much for sharing this. Just beautiful scenery! A delightful excursion for me.

Millie and Walter said...

That sure looked like a fun birthday walk.

Cindy

The Daily Pip said...

George and Tess, this was quite a tale and fun walk. I LOVED those side by side pictures (old and new). Pretty amazing how it's changed but also stayed the same!

Your pal, Pip

Oui Oui said...

What a beautiful birthday outing! We're glad you had a nice day. What a lovely place that is, thanks for showing it to us. Can you imagine living there? The "Then" & "now" photos were really interesting!

WFT Nobby said...

George and Tess, we think you deserve a regular column in the NT magazine, you do such a great job for them. How interesting to hear the tales of your Grandpa working at Dudmanston Hall, as isn't your Mum clever with the old and new photos?
I hope you didn't get muddy in the lake.
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Eileen H said...

What a lovely birthday treat for Tess and Mom. It's very interesting to see the before and after photos, to see how the landscape is the same except for nature's changes. Grandad's stories are funny too.
Now I'm off to check out the magazine and look for you George.
Love from Eileen and Annie xx

Pat said...

Loved the stories and the then and now pics! xx

Molly the Airedale said...

What a beautiful spot and such wonderful memories!

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

Unknown said...

Such a romantic place! Thank you George and Tess!

Enid said...

"Wow" what a nice walkies you had!
Enid x

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

My sweet and most distinguished friends,

WHAT BETTER PLACE to celebrate Tiny Tessie's birthday than a PALACE! WOW.....you all have the most lovely landscapes and monuments around!!!! SO FABULOUS MY FRIENDS! Oh George mi man, you have many stories to tell Tess as she grows up. Tell her the one about.....and the one about.....OH! And you cannot forget the one about.........

YOU TWO ARE just sweet together. How is our little Tess and her leg?

BE WELL MY FRIENDS and there will be more lovely walks to enjoy! BIG HUGS, Anita and BALZAC

Leigh said...

What wonderful stories - and pictures! I think Bertie's right - you should have a regular column writing for the National Trust George :-)That looks a great birthday walk, Tess, and so interesting to have a family link to the Hall. Have a great weekend - woofs and licks from Magic xx

The Thuglets said...

George and Tess what a wonderful trip with lovely memories!
Look like a lovely place to visit. we definitely think the National Trust need to give you a regular spot in their magazine.
Have a great week
Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx

Scooter said...

Hey George & Tess!
Wow, what a beautiful place! So I guess a dingle is different from a down. I think a down is like a meadow, right? Anyway, great place as long as there is no falling carpet or runaway wheels! Lovely pix.
Grr and Woof,
Sarge A Licious

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Oh George, we LOVED this post especially your Grandad's stories. Thanks so much for sharing. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

Posie said...

Furstly, ees dat reely whot a dingel is?! Ma mummer sayz dat she hadd absolooterly nooo ideeea heehee! Cool wurd! heehee! Sekurndleee, yoo guys woz soggery doggerys by da end owf dat walkkie wernt yaz?! heehee! Andd lashterly, I'z lovvd da befurs n aftirs piktyoors!!! very mutch enjoyerd dat posht guys, love n likkers, pdidlydogdog xox

CherryPie said...

I enjoyed walking around Dudmaston with you. I especially like the then and now photos and the family history and tales. It puts things into perspective :-)

Ruby said...

Just awesome George and Tess! Looks like you had a fab time!

Ruby

J_on_tour said...

Wonderful set of photos and stories that give it a personal feel.
Yeah, you must listen a lot more carefully Tess.

Anonymous said...

What a lush forest you took Tess on a walk through George. Gorgeous! Luv the old boathouse. Makes ya want to swim over there and investigate! :) Your Mom did an amazing job duplicating the 45 year old photos. Fascinating to see the contrasts and similarities on the grounds. Sounds like your Gramps has a lot of great stories to listen to :)

Waggin at ya,
Roo