Woodstock – WrAnTz

Shock Horror – I’ve Had A Full Brazilian

Yep, it’s true. This weekend I travelled up to Woodstock, visited Blenheim Palace for the 4th time. Stayed in Woodstock overnight and travelled to Bampton and then on to Burford.

It was while walking around this fabulous town that it happened. Must have been a touch of sunstoke. I certainly couldn’t have been thinking straight. Anyway, it made perfect sense at the time and by golly I’m glad I did.

It certainly cooled things down a bit, smooth and refreshing are two words that seem to properly describe a Full Brazilian. I just had to share this with you. So now you know.

I had a lovely pint of Wychwoods sporting brew “Full Brazilian” and I can truly recommend it. So if you are in the Wychwood locale give it a go.

RIP Ritchie

Richie Havens has died, of a heart attack, at the age of 72.

Who can forget the intense and frenetic performance of “Freedom” that he gave, opening the 1969 Woodstock festival.

Seems to me we are losing to many of our music icons. I know that this is selfish of me, that none of us live forever and that we will always have the musical legacy that such as Richie leave behind.

My thoughts are with Richies family and friends.

Thanks to youtube we are able to relive those classic moments so here are a couple of reminders of his talent.

Blenheim Palace

Yesterday was the second of what we hope will become a frequent event. Choose, with friends, a location to visit, travel, lunch, tour, head home and stop for an evening meal en route. All punctuated with gossip and laughs.

Yesterday we chose to visit Blenheim Palace near Woodstock. Some of you may recognise it from the recent Jack Black movie, Gullivers Travels. Blenheim was used as the Lilliput royal palace.

Instead of lunch, we chose to take a picnic and why wouldn’t you when Blenheim offers over 2000 acres of grounds in which to throw down a blanket. To be able to feast both on the food and the fabulous views provided.

We threw down our blankets high on the rise alongside the lake. There we feasted on roast chicken, pork pie, mixed salad, fruit cake, walnut cake and fresh fruits.

At the same time we savoured this fabulous view of Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge. Apparently, at one time this bridge only sat astride several streams. There are rooms within the bridge, now flooded, that the 4th Duke supposedly used for gambling with his cronies. Much later the streams were further damned and the two lakes were formed.

And this is the view in the opposite direction.

Many folks come to visit the house and grounds. They come for a variety of reasons, be it for weddings in The Orangery, the history, the beautiful scenery or perhaps just a bit of scavenging