Yet more Sandingham

After we had visited the church ,we wandered up the path and through the little gate house where you pay to visit the house and garden ,We strolled through some wonderfully landscaped gardens and arrived at the house ,and entering the hall we were fasinated to see a weighing stool ,used by jockeys ,but guests are invited to weigh themselves on arrival and leaving to see if the y have gained any weight during their stay ! and through into the 'Salloon'I think this room is my favourite ,and can imagine the family all together in here ,there is always a jigsaw on a side table in progress ...amidst all the beautiful pictures tapestrys ,and fine furnishings ,and ornaments there is still an air of it being a family room ,the guide pointed out a cabinet where the Television is  kept and games ,and on many chairs and settees ,can be seen tapestry cushions and seat covers made by Queen Mary ...through into the small drawing room ,into the drawing room where a grand pianno is situated in the bay window over looking the gardens and beyond to some lovely woods ,I was particulary taken with a display of a collection of figures in jade and amber.In the early 1900s,the collection was dominated by works of Carl Faberge'alot of the pieces displayed were gifts to Princess Alexandra from her sister Dagmar,who married Tsar AlexanderIII,so many beautiful collections to be seen,it really is awesome ,onto the dining room,where the dining table is set up ,with all the queens lovely crystal glasses are inscribed E II R.The lovely dinner service, silver and  place mats etc surround the centre peice,The Grand National trophy,won by the Prince of Wales in 1900,The Lobby runs along side the dining room Oak cases line the walls and house a rare collection of sporting shot guns rifles and pistols owned and used by successive members of the Royal family.Maurice was impressed by a cabinet full of Purdey shotguns made for King GeorgeV,one  16 bore shotgun in particular with gold embellishment,,whatever must they now be worth ?,on now down the corridor looking at portraits ,and statues and other amazing memorabelia.and into the ball room ,with its minstrels gallery ,One can imagine the balls ,receptions and partys that take place here ,and I understand the minstrels gallery now houses afilm projection unit! From the ceiling hang chandeliers,each containing more than a thousand pieces of crystal and is over seven feet high ,The ballroom is used in the summer months to show off themed displays ,this year it was some hillarious cartoons ,quite a few aimed at the Duke of Edinburgh ! and  when I was here ,the last time it was copies of Christmas cards that the queen had sent through the years ...

So there we will leave it today ,just the museum now to tell you about another time ,with love Jan xx