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Hello Forkers = July 2018

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    The great architects of the 20/21st centuries are designing public buildings ... very few other than oil magnates or oligarchs can afford the lifestyle that requires a impressively large country house and fortunately the planners won't allow them to build the types of homes they want.  Don't forget that Sunninghill was built in the 20C and  now that has been demolished to be replaced by something even more grandiose and mediocre (ordinarily I would think that to be a contradiction in terms but I feel it apt here).

    I remember an Iraqi businessman and friend of Saddam Hussein buying  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heveningham_Hall  ... a place I knew well when a friend was head gardener there ... he filled it with the most inappropriate marble bathrooms ...  he disappeared and it's now in the hands of someone who seems to know how to look after it.  



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    "mediocre" is the word best applied to modern planning. 
    "You can have anything you want , provided it's mock Georgian" would also fit.
    When Georgian houses were built, they were not "traditional" they were modern. They were not "in keeping" either.
    Devon.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    My cousins used to live on the Sandringham estate, they were allowed to take wood for their fires and they all had jobs there.  Cousins wife has spoken to Prince Charles on a few occasions, he’s the friendliest one of all.
    He stopped his car once in the street as she was struggling home with her shopping and told her she needed one of those bags on wheels, she replied, What I need sir is a lift home, he laughed and drove on. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Lyn said:
    My cousins used to live on the Sandringham estate, they were allowed to take wood for their fires and they all had jobs there.  Cousins wife has spoken to Prince Charles on a few occasions, he’s the friendliest one of all.
    ...
    My brother has met him a few times ... he says exactly the same  :smile: 

    37.4C out there :sweat:

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Who's getting annoyed now Hosta?  ;)
    The rain keeps missing us LP - think you've had a little bit more than us, but it's supposed to be fairly full on all weekend. Typical - when I hoped to get out to a hill. It was looking likely earlier, but it's cleared again. Very thundery though.
    doc - choosing some bulbs is good therapy. I've been doing similar with clematis, and a few other things  :)
    Moon was beautiful here again last night. I was outside till about 9.45, and just caught this 'sky', to the south east, when I was about to come in


    Council planning is  a law unto itself Hosta, in my experience. They pass stuff depending on what side of bed they get out of - or perhaps,  whose bed they get out of.... :D
    It's Friday - hurrah. What a busy week at work.  :o
    I shall have a quick look round and then get outside in case the rain puts in an appearance...
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I know not everyone loved every house on "The world's most extraordinary houses" but at least they were built and the owners loved them. 
    All we have in this country, with the odd exception, is pathetic pastiche architecture yet we produce some of the finest architects in the world.
    Dyno Rod turned up at 2.40. 2 men , 2 vans . They must have been told there was a very curmudgeonly old poof waiting to " kick off " .
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've just posted on the 'annoyed' thread Hosta - and it's showing my post as 9- ish am.  :/
    You're never curmudgeonly, surely Hosta....
    Oh lordy - Steve Wright is playing Sunshine on Leith...there goes my mascara... :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    Ahh Fairy, tissues to hand
    yes, we have had a fair bit of rain but heading to Drymen for the weekend so will need wellies I think
    please dint mention Council planners in this house. It gets something thrown at you!

    re HRH my lad was “beating” as a summer job up north many years ago, he got waylaid by a nice chap with two black labs. They sat in the hill together talking dogs. He got a hell of a row from the gamekeeper.  He had no idea who he was talking to but recalls it fondly
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Apparently when one works there, if they hear one of the family coming they have to hide away, so my cousin dived into the linen cupboard one day and Prince Charles just happened to be coming to get a fresh towel for himself, they both made each other jump and both laughed, he said it served him right for not asking for a towel but getting it himself. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    Ha ha Lyn lovely story. First born was not in such elevated surroundings but on an estate in the north east!
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
This discussion has been closed.