FRIDAY'S HUNT and WEEKEND REFLECTIONS - Mount Stewart House Nursery (Part 1)

Once again we are linking with FRIDAY’S HUNT and WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.  Today we are asked to illustrate using the letter N, a favourite and I Made it and all the photographs were taken during the Conversations Weekend of 17/18 September  Below is my reflections image taken in the Formal Garden of Mount Stewart. 

 During one of my free times, I took a tour of the NURSERY in the house, a place that is not normally open to the public but I found it fascinating as this was were Lady Rose was brought up for 16 years and only allowed into the main house with adults for half an hour a day!  However she spent many happy hours playing and exploring the wonderful gournds of the estate.  In fact she still lives at Mount Stewart for 6 months of the year but of course not now in the Nursery!!!
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I will not be showing all of the photographs as there are too many so today I will be showing you Lay Rose’s bedroom and her Nanny/ Governess’s bedroom and then this coming Monday I will show you a fascinating room between these 2 rooms which was used for all meals, classroom, playroom and general sitting room.

I was not sure of what these 2 pieces of furniture they and the guide had gone on as I was still photographing and so I have no opportunity to ask her.  Perhaps a blogger will know?  The top one probably is a washing stand however it is really small and probably was only either used when Lady Rose was younger or a dolls one.

Above is the entrance from the room I will show you on Monday into Nanny’s/Governess’ bedroom below.

This is a tiny kitchen where Nanny would make afternoon tea etc.

These 2 shots are photographs of photographs because I forgot how to work my scanner!!!  I MADE THIS dress for my daughter when she was going to a Formal Dance when she was about 18 years old and also a good number of years later I was able to wear it in an operatic choir when the TV company in Northern Ireland were recording 2 one hour programmes of this event from the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

WOW!  I never thought I would get this post finished so I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for visiting.

Many thanks for anyone who leaves comments on this post.

GOOD FENCES - Mount Stewart

This post is linking with GOOD FENCES.  I took these photographs just before I was on duty at the Coach House the first day of the Conversations Weekend that Mount Stewart was holding recently.  An artist painted the below of Lord Castlereagh and I just had to have my photograph taken!!   Enjoy all the hedging in the different gardens areas.   

Many thanks for visiting and also to all who leave comments.

Mount Stewart "CONVERSATIONS" Weekend

Today I am showing you a few of the artists and speakers I came across during my lunch or free break time September during the Mount Stewart "Conversations" weekend on 17/18 September.

This image below was Margaret MacMillan and Prof Alvin Jackson who spoke and debated on ‘Do Personalities Matter in Politics?   This was the only talk I had time to go to and as I was working in the Green room had the opportunity to speak with her personally.

These are the other subject titles covered on the Saturday. ‘Castlereagh – Linking Past and Present’, ‘The Political Country House – When Society ran Society’, ‘Russia – Malevolent or Misunderstood?’, Dr Diane Urquhart  ‘Can the Kingdom Stay United after Brexit?’ and  ‘Diplomats, Diplomacy and Television’. 

I was very sorry not to be able to get to talk that and Lady Rose Lauritzen - gave on 'Ladies of Londonderry’ as Mount Stewart House was where she had  been brought up and although now married, still spend 6 months living here.

This couple played different instruments and very alternative music.

Saturday was a beautiful day and while I waited for my hamburger and chips to be ready I took a few more photographs.  These are more staff members enjoying lunch.  While we eat, the man below enticed us to play a game of countdown but I was only able to come up with a 5 letter word!

 Came across Red Riding Hood and the Fox who were glad to pose for me.

On Sunday, these were the topic for the talks and debates.  'Summits', ‘Back to the 1930s – The Rise of Europe’s Nationalist Right’, ‘The New Machiavelli’s: Statecraft, Back Channels and Conflict Resolution’, ‘Being a Foreign Secretary’, 'Diplomacy Now and in the Future’, ‘Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders’, ‘Being a Diplomat: Fact and Fiction’ and finally ‘Voodoo Histories – How the Conspiracy Theory has Shaped Modern History’

This was a camper van owned by a member of staff and he brings it to events like today.  You were able to go inside and learn more about  Mount Stewart House and Gardens.

This is our wonderful General Manager, John Kerr (left)who was always happy to mingle and have a chat with staff and visitors alike.

This was a lovely couple who had this “Campervan of Dreams”.  You were able to step inside, tell them your dream and they would interpret it. 

Unfortunately I did not have time to experience this.

This young girl was one of the singers and later that day, while I was in my post at the Coach House, I spoke to her and she asked me to take her photograph as she had on the most beautiful dress.  I ended up doing a full photo shot of her.  Unfortunately as I was on duty I did not have my own camera and had to use her phone and so far she has not send me any of the photographs.  She was thrilled with the results.

Finally, Ray, a volunteer, poised for me as I thought his moustache looked brilliant and he was very dapper and John is equally dashing sporting his wonderful beard and mouctache

I hope I have given you a taste of what when on during the "Conversations"weekend and tomorrow I will show you the gardens.

Many you for visiting and also to all who leave comments.

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY -Birds at Mount Stewart

These are a few birds I photographed at Mount Stewart during the ‘Conversations’ weekend.  I showed you the others last WBW.

I photographed this Robin when I entered the Sunk Garden and he was high on Mount Stewart House singing his little heart out and I have reason to pass the same place 5 minutes later and he was still in the same spot singing.

My duties the first day started at 10.00 am at the Coach House where I was to welcome all visitors and direct them to the correct areas.  After briefing I only had half an hour to walk round the lake and these are some of the Mallard ducks I saw. 

I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Many thanks for visiting and also for all the comments you leave.

THROUGH MY LENS - Mount Stewart Conversations Weekend

As most of you know who follow my blog, I was working at the “Converstations” event that was held at Mount Stewart the weekend of 17/18 September.  All workers had to be signed in by 8.30 am and on my first day I had my briefing in the Marquee at 9.00 am. The Marquee was one of the areas where the guest speakers gave their talks. CLICK HERE to see that area.

This is the front of Mount Stewart House were all 

were busily starting setting up for the day.

There were over 100 volunteers working over the weekend and this is the Stretch Tent where there was a bar and entertainment.  You can see here where other volunteer were being briefed.  

These were a few of the volunteers waiting for their briefing.

The main Entrance Hall of Mount Stewart House was a beautiful setting for where other speakers gave their talks.

This was the Garden Shed area where over the 2 days different artist performed for the public. These are 2 of the artists setting up.  

They played very alternative music.

This was the Yurt and I decided to have a lay down and relax!!

(for all of 1 minutes!!)

While I was waiting for my briefing, Shirley came along to erect the flags along this path and you will see her doing so on the video below.

CLICK HERE if the video does not appear.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these photographs, tomorrow I will show you a few birds and Wednesday I photographed some of the artists.

I am linking this post with THROUGH MY LENS.

Many thanks for visiting and also to all those who leave comments.