Christmas at Petworth House - a long blog!

what a lovely festive blog Shirley.
They certainly worked hard in the kitchens back then didn't they?

wonderful blog Shirley. I love all the history, yes they certainly had to work very hard . What amazing decorations and displays. I also love trips out and about . Just because it's winter no need to hide away. Also some incredible trees there all decorated nicely

I loved this blog Shirley and thank you for sharing this.
What can I say...the Christmas trees are amazing and love the fireplace wreaths.
You can't imagine living in those times when there were the downstairs maids, cooks and butlers, while upstairs were waited on hand and foot!
I have the full series of Upstairs Downstairs which Rick and I loved to watch.

Eileen, my late maternal Grandmother was born in 1901 and worked in service for about a year. Not surprisingly, she hated the winter months as the house was so cold in the early hours before the cooking began.

Thanks Paul, I did smile when I saw the hand made paper chain decorations by the copper pots as it brought back childhood memories of making them at infants school!

Julia, that pompom tree was so original, I loved it.

Rose, I tried to see how one of the mantelpiece garlands was held together, but it was so well done it was impossible to! I think all the visitors were thrilled with the trees and decorations.

Klahanie, thanks for looking in ... :o)

Thanks for the visit, Shirley, it was as if YOU were the Lady of the house showing her guests around (though perhaps she wouldn't have taken them downstairs! 😆)

David, the Lady of the house, moi? I think not!!!

An interesting blog Shirley, especially seeing the old kitchens.

Thanks Hywel, I agree, those kitchens were wonderful to see but I am glad I don't have to live in those times!

Great blog Shirley. I have visited those kitchens at least twice, I’m always fascinated by them. Last time had quite a long talk with the NT volunteer who gave us a detailed talk about the kitchen & all its items. Obviously they weren’t very busy. Yesterday I visited Hatchlands, NT & their Narnia trail & Christmas decs.Of course I forgot to take a camera, so no blog from me, sorry,:-(

Smashing blog, Shirley! Thank you for taking us round with you!
So very festive too, they really have evoked the Christmas feel to a tee! Despite the little gingerbread house being fake, they are so pretty!

I really appreciated this long blog Shirley. I’m unwell and confined to the sofa/bed. It was just what I needed! X In fact, I’ll be reading it again!

Josie, I like the sound of a Narnia trail. Nymans gardens have a Nutcracker theme this year and family were due to visit there today but some have gone down with Covid. All postponed for another day.

Kate, there was a fake cheeseboard but it looked totally realistic ... clever folk about!

Oh Karen, that is not good for you. Keep warm and get better soon.

Get well soon, Karen! 👍

Shirley, I hope your family members will not be too badly affected & recover quickly. Best wishes to you all & a happy ( and a healthy ) New Year.

Thanks Josie, they are improving, albeit slowly, both now feel tired and 'headachey' ... our planned visit to them on Christmas Eve i still in doubt though ... possibly an 'exchange the presents at the front door' visit ... :o(

Thank you Shirley and Balcony. We are definitely getting better, but it’s taking too long!

Karen, so good to hear you are getting better. Our son and young granddaughter will be popping round tomorrow to exchange presents ... in the garden though as daughter-in-law tested positive again for Covid this morning ... such a shame!

A niece of mine has also tested positive but she can't infect us as she lives a very long way from us & we haven't seen her since before the pandemic was even discovered.

Our son in Spain also had it but now he is better.