I am sad and at the same time excited to say that this months issue is going to be the last one written in the UK.

On the 5th October, my family and I are moving to Australia to live. I have lived in the Uk for 16 years and a lot of things have come and gone. This is a time of great excitement for my two sons who have never been further afield than Cyprus.

Next months and possibly November's edition of The Castle Times, will, I am afraid, be a limited edition due to the fun and games of uplifting my family and my household effects and moving to a new country.

I thank you in advance for your patience and continued support.

Allerton Castle - The ancestral home of Lord Mowbray, Segrave and Stourton, the premier Baron of England

Steeped in history, in the eighteenth century the property was owned by Prince Frederick, the brother to King George IV. It is presently preserved by The Gerald Arthur Rolph Foundation for Historic Preservation and Education.

The interior of the Castle was designed on a vast scale, with late - Gothic decoration in the style of Pugins work on the Palace of Westminster.

The Galleried Great Hall is almost 80ft high and one of the highest Baronial Halls in England. The spectacular principal staircase opens off the Great Hall under a vaulted ceiling. The carpets were made in Bucharest and the Elephant, carved from a single piece of Rosewood is from the Maharajah of Mysore’s palace. On the walls are full length portraits including works by Michael Dahl and William Dobson.

The opulent Drawing Room has a magnificent plaster ceiling and frieze, with Silk Damask on the walls. The Chandelier is opaque blue Venetian Glass and is one of a pair, the second of the chandeliers is reputed to be in the Doges Palace in Venice. Vast Rococo mirrors hang on the walls alongside French carved giltwood cherub wall scones.

The Ballroom was restored by Dr. Rolph and the spectacular fan vaulted ceiling was created. This was for many years known as the “Box Room” and during World War II was used as the Operations Room for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Library and Dining Room occupy the north side of Castle. The Library has its original rosewood bookcases and hand blocked wallpaper based on one of Pugins designs for the Houses of Parliament. The Dining Room is currently under restoration due to damage caused by the fire in January 2005.

The Billiard Room is home to 17th Century tapestries and a full size billiard table made by Thurston original to the house.

*text used by kind permission

1 pkt Yeast

1 cup Warm water

2 1/2 cup White whole-wheat flour

1 cup All-purpose flour

1 tsp Salt

4 tbl Softened butter

Method

1. Dissolve the yeast in half the warm water. Put the two types of flour and the salt into a bowl; make a well in the flour and add all the water and butter.

2. Mix well. Add more flour if the mixture is too sticky to knead.

3. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic and then put into a greased bowl, covered with a cloth. Let the dough rise for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until it has doubled in bulk.

4. Punch it down and shape it into rather flat, round loaves. Put these onto a greased baking sheet, cover with a cloth, and leave to rise for 45 minutes (or until twice the size). The loaves can be brushed with egg wash, to 'endore' them, before baking, and the tops can be slashed and pricked with a fork.

5. Bake at 375f for 35 to 40 minutes.

Eat, Drink and be Merry

In medieval times, herbs were used for just about everything from curing toothache to helping pregnant women in labour. In this new two part series, I have included the most common herbs around and their uses and superstitions associated with them.

NUTMEG - epilepsy, eye diseases, stomach ailments.

Hildegard of Bingen praised nutmeg and reminded her readers that they should, if possible, keep nutmeg in their pocket during the New Year's Eve. This would protect them during the next year, if they happened to fall from a roof, cliff, ladder or other high place. Few could afford this though, because nutmeg was an extremely expensive spice during Middle Ages. Another story - told by a monk - claims that nutmeg is useful for men, because its ability to enhance potency.

OAK - infections, poisons, wounds. ONIONS - dog bites, serpent bites, stomach ailments, wounds made by wild beasts. Pliny also writes that the juice taken with water is good "for those suddenly stricken by dumbness".

OREGANO - all poisonous bites, cramps, dropsy.

Oregano was quite a powerful plant because a person who carried it with him was believed to be protected from the witches, water sprites, demons and venomous animals. It was also believed that the smoke of burning oregano prevented the devil from helping his servants. Therefore twigs were commonly burnt during torture sessions by the inquisitors. This small bush had also a power to repel snakes from the garden.

PARSLEY - parasites, poisons.

Parsley was associated with the devil. The plant germinates notoriously slowly and people claimed that seeds must go seven times to hell to ask permission to grow. If the seeds didn't germinate, the person who planted them was believed to die during the next year.

PASQUE FLOWER - pain killer

PEACH TREE - dropsy, pain, parasites

PEPPER - depression, fever, pain, stomach ailments.

It was believed that a soldier who carries pepper in his pocket would not be wounded on the battlefield. Some scholars also claimed that pepper enhanced vision.

QUICKGRASS - women's diseases

RADISH - cough, deafness, dropsy, eye diseases, inflammations, intestinal worms, poisons, skin diseases, snakebites, stomach troubles, women's diseases

This plant was believed to be effective against scorpions. For example Pliny tells us that "with hands rubbed with radish or its seed, you may handle scorpions without fear and radish placed on scorpions kills them." In addition it was an aphrodisiac.

ROSEMARY - sprains, fractures, wounds, cough, dizziness, stomach troubles

Rosemary, if hung around the neck, protected from plague whereas the twig offered protection against the evil eye. It was also claimed that people who sniffed the flowers of the herb regularly retained their youthfulness. In addition to this, rosemary prevented faeries from stealing infants.

ROSES - fatigue, eye diseases, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, sleeplessness, stomach troubles, womens' diseases.

SAGE - 'How can a man die when sage is growing in the garden?' This often quoted sentence describes pretty well the omnipotence of sage. The bush was definitely among the most important medicinal herbs of Medieval Europe. It was believed to have the power to cure all imaginable diseases and therefore a Covenant garden without it would be extremely rare.

SELF-HEAL - This herb was among the most important remedies for wounds during the middle ages.

SORREL - epidemics, fever, stomach troubles Pliny reminds us that "those who carry it on their person are protected from scorpion stings"

SOUTHERNWOOD - cough, poisons, respiratory diseases, snakebites, stomach ailments. It was also used to repel moths.

southernwood was the most potent antidote versus magic potions. It also repelled demons, kept snakes away and protected people from thieves. It was said that the plant can cause impotence.

SPINACH - cough, respiratory diseases, scorpion stings. THYME - burns, cough, respiratory diseases, sprains, stomach ailments, womens' diseases Like many other herbs, thyme protected medieval people from witchcraft. It was also claimed that eating thyme increased courage whereas the smoke of the burning herb was believed to offer a protection from poisonous bites. Thyme was also an ingredient in a potion that enabled people to see faeries.

TURNIPS - Pliny tells us that turnips' seeds "if made into liniment or a drink in wine" will protect a person from snake bites and other poisons

VERVAIN - among the most important remedies for wounds

vervain was believed to protect people from metal weapons

WHITE WILLOW - the skin, if boiled with water, was a pain killer

WILD LETTUCE - fresh burns, poisons, spider stings, snake bites, wounds. It was thought that wild lettuce would improve vision. This belief was probably based on Pliny's story about hawks . ("... since hawks, by tearing it open and wetting their eyes with the juice, dispel poor vision when they have become aware of it.")

YARROW - yarrow was without doubt a major healing herb during the middle ages. It served not only doctors but also common folk - like carpenters - who carried it in their pouches as a first aid kit. It was mainly used to heal wounds and to prevent infections

1. Determine Breakfast time at destination on day of arrival.

2. Feast-Fast-Feast-Fast on home time. Start three days before departure day. On day one, FEAST; eat heartily with a high-protein breakfast and lunch and a high-carbohydrate dinner. No coffee except between 3 and 5 p.m. On day two FAST on light meals of salads, light soups, fruits and juices. Again, no coffee except between 3 and 5 p.m. On day three, FEAST again, On day four, departure day, FAST. If you drink caffeinated beverages, take them in the morning when traveling west, or between 6 and 11p.m. when traveling east. Going west, you may fast only half a day.

3. Break FINAL FAST at destination breakfast time. No alcohol on plane. If flight is long enough, sleep until normal breakfast time at destination, but no later. Wake up and FEAST on high-protein breakfast. Stay awake, active. Continue day’s meals according to meal times at destination.

(Tips)

Feast on high protein breakfasts and lunches to stimulate the body’s active cycle. Suitable meals include steak, eggs, hamburger, high-protein cereals, and green beans.

Feast on high-carbohydrate suppers to stimulate sleep. They include spaghetti and other pastas ( but no meatballs), crepes (but no meat filling), potatoes, other starchy vegetables and sweet desserts.

Fast days help deplete the liver’s store of carbohydrates and prepare the body’s clock for resetting. Suitable foods include fruit, light soups, broths, skimpy salads, unbuttered toast, half pieces of bread. Keep calories and carbohydrates to a minimum.

The following accounts are my travel journal entries for the first quarter of the tour:

August 31, 2001

September 1, 2001

Later: Montmartre for dinner at Auberge de la Franquette after checking in at the hotel a short distance away. We do the tour around the Place du Tertre on the way, of course, which is an artist hot spot and my favorite area of Paris. During a night stroll with a small group from the tour we took in the descent of the escalier below Sacre-Coeur. This area is rich with art galleries.

September 2, 2001

One is best reminded that Versailles is a city unto itself. The landscaped grounds dwarf this formidable palace and the allure to the gardens and fountains is just as great as the interiors of the Palace. It is almost overwhelming. Along the water parterre, west of the palace, Marisela, Debbie and I formed a group and we wandered around, took photos of each other next to statues and the Grand Eaux Musicales when it started up at the Latona and Apollo Fountains. At my insistence we checked out the Chateaux of the Trianon, which is comprised of nine smaller dwellings than the palace. It is said that Marie Antoinette preferred the Queen’s Cottage to the Palace.

Back in Paris we decide on a Seine River Cruise which finally convinced me that this is the best way to orient oneself to Paris, plus it’s relaxing. We got out at Pont d’Alma and had our photos taken in front of the Princess Diana memorial. We wrapped up the day by making a visit during High Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral in the Ile de la Cite’. My first visit to it years ago made me feel rather uncomfortable, as it was empty and cold but at High Mass on this day it was awe inspiring. I offered up my finest prayer and lingered awhile taking in the feeling and then left to join the rest.

September 3, 2001

The tours start at the Church chancel but tickets for the tours are bought at The Kings Gate entrance before you begin your ascent. On the guided tour we view a huge bell tower and several areas where monks could retreat into complete seclusion. Parts of it have been used as a political prison and continued for 73 years after the Revolution. We viewed the rib-vaulted Knight’s Room and saw the cloisters, which made use of ogee arches supported with elegant pedestal columns. At the middle level it opened to the sky. As a Benedictine Monastery, its greatest era was during the 12th and 13th centuries. Sojourners came from great distances to honor St. Michael, and it was renowned for its educational offerings during medieval times.

September 4, 2001

A nice pastry break enjoyed at some nearby shops after the tour and then we head for Villandry by way of route 152. For a minute, when we bypassed the #23 for Le Mans I let out a little sigh, I had missed the Grand Prix by months.

Fifteen kilometers west of Tours, the Chateau de Villandry (once called the Paix de Colombiers in the Middle Ages) crowns the most beautiful -and largest – garden in the area known as the Garden of France, the Loire Valley. The Loire Valley is a castle lover’s paradise and this one charmed me from the instant I laid eyes on it. There was a surprise around every corner whether it was finding an intriguing portrait or a slanting staircase. It is a renaissance castle and is well laid out in logical fashion, whether it’s the interiors, gardens or fountains you are navigating. One medieval square remains from the original fortress which the Minister of Finance, Jean le Breton, saved back in 1536 when he built the new castle. Visiting this tower is essential to get the best photos of the gardens with a panoramic view. This keep is accessed from the second floor where the children’s accommodations and Castellane’s studio are situated. It is an historical landmark as well, because the Colombiers Peace Treaty was signed there on July 4, 1189 between Henry II and King Philippe August, the French King.

Villandry does not offer guided tours but gives open access to the entire castle and its gardens and offers detailed leaflets describing the various aspects of the gardens which are very entertaining and informative and also the interiors of the castle which have various surprises. Dr. Joachim Carvallo restored the gardens in 1906 back to their former glory and increased the value of the house. The grandson, Henri Carvallo maintains it scrupulously to this day. With the gardens in harmony with the 16th century architecture of the house, it completes the ambience. The ground floor (rez-de-chaussee) features a beautifully decorated dining room, salon, the second floor (first floor on the leaflet) includes Prince Jerome’s room (Jerome Bonaparte), the vegetable garden room which has the said view, the moat room (which was Anne Coleman’s room, Dr. Carvallo’s wife) and the art gallery which is primarily the Carvallo’s Spanish art collection and features the Spanish Moorish Ceiling which is intriguing and beautiful.

I became so intrigued by the logical layout of the house that I explored everywhere it was not roped off and I never found any ropes- save a few. The backstairs to both wings have slanted staircases and landings for the servants. I surmised the purpose of this was to keep servants moving quickly. It’s highly effective.

When I exited out of the castle from the back east corner I quickly accessed the Belvedere which runs all along the east side of the entire property down to the old and new greenhouses. The first section of the Belvedere overlooks the “Gardens of Love” and it has become a necking and cooing area for couples. The view from the Belvedere is panoramic and the best place over all to take your photos. The view of the arcaded galleries, mullioned windows, rococo pilasters and dormer windows with sculpted gables are very much in keeping with a vernacular style of the Loire Valley. The steeply sloping roofs harken to the same style you would see in Azay-le-Rideau (another Loire Chateau built by another finance minister, Gilles Berthelot). Both are Italianate influenced as a result of the French invasion of Italy in 1494. However, Villandry is primarily a simpler Henry IV French-style which shows in the indenture of the roofs and predates similarities to Anet and Fontainebleau (the latter being another French castle I visited on this tour).

By the time I am supposed to meet my group at the shop-exit in the front gate outbuilding, I find myself hanging about and am seriously thinking of hiding somewhere so I could stay. When I finally dragged myself to the front gate everything had turned a lovely color in the shadows and I felt a huge tug on my heart as I was leaving. Something didn’t want me to go. I think it was myself! XD

Next month Castles Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois and Fontainebleau

I hope you have enjoyed reading issue 19.

If you have any suggestions or comments about any part of the newsletter then please feel free to contact me.

As always, if you have a story,photos or questions you wish to ask or share with our readers then please email me and I will be happy to include them in our next edition.

All submissions should reach me by no later than the 20th of September