Blenheim Palace- Oxfordshire

Cousin Valerie, in Aylesbury, generously  arranged tickets for us both to go to Blenheim (Mary was 'Dobbying' in Sydenham ).

The journey through from Sydenham, through Marylebone and from Stoke Mandeville, took the train through my home town of Harrow.

Very strange sensation, really,  to pass through your old train station..which town was my home for the first 21 years.

At Marylebone a couple of collectors for the charity 'The Prince's Trust' allowed me to take their pic. I think it's a children's charity.

Blenheim was built as a gift by Queen Anne for the first Duke of Marlborough, who had won the battle of Blenheim for HM, on condition that a copy of the flag (three fleur de lys) is presented to the Monarch every year on a certain day.

This has been done for 300 years and if it isn't, presumably the current Duke would have to give the Palace back to Queen Elizabeth II  !!

Churchill was born here and I include some famous sayings of his- one when he lost his seat in parliament,

as well a pic of the bust of King Louis XIV--the Sun King and a statue of Queen Anne.

The Palace itself has some amazing painted ceilings,

but Valerie and I found the building to be austere. Cafe was good, though. We didn't have time for the grounds and gardens.

We had our tickets stamped so that we can return for free for next 12 months (!?).

Next stop Dubrovnik, tomorrow,with son Michael--where I may not have an internet connection on the small cruise boat, for a week!