It had been a long, very wet journey with many hold-ups and delays. And lots of contending:
"This is a NIGHTMARE !"
"At least we're still moving."
"WHY did we come this way ?"
"Well, I thought a little diversion might help."
"Precisely HOW?"
"Just take the next exit, sign-posted High Wycombe, dear..."
It has been said that the title of Bob Dylan's song "Rainy Day Women" is a reference to this remark in the Book of Proverbs:
"A continual dropping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike."
They wear you down.
And so we ended up taking a break at Hughenden Manor, once the home of Benjamin Disraeli and his wife Mary Anne.
We were lead to believe that we might learn something of Dizzy's political ideas as we viewed the house and indeed there were insightful quotes dotted around the rooms.
"Do you see what I mean?"
"Yes - I think you wanted to preserve and promote British industries and, surprisingly, you were not against trades unions - but really, I'm not in the mood."
Disraeli and his wife Mary Anne were an unlikely pair - she was eager for amusement and companionship, he was in need of an undemanding older lady with a large fortune. They played their parts with good grace and, apparently, found happiness with each other, but I could find no paintings or photographs of them together. The best I could come up with was this still from a 1920s film, "Disraeli", which, I think, gives you a pretty close likeness.
We were greatly impressed by the décor at Hughenden - very Victorian, not too grand and with a lightness of touch and delicacy of colour that recalls the interiors of another odd couple, John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster ("the most unhappy unmarried couple in England"), who together ran the interior design company "Colefax and Fowler" after the 2nd World War.
It is an enchanting house, but we were still somewhat distracted and not just because of the driving conditions on the journey down. Another interesting couple was wandering around the Manor and enjoying the romantic, misty views from the windows. This pair were definitely devoted and enviably entranced with each other - and I'm sure they were looking for decorating ideas...
I had to be discreet with my camera, but do you recognise them?
David Mitchell and his wife Victoria Coren Mitchell (on a sunnier day).
***
I remember Hughenden as being very dark inside. There is a new book about Mrs Disraeli by Daisy Hay.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, good celeb spotting!
You are right - it was very dark, which is why my photos are a bit fuzzy. And, yes, I've noticed the new biography - it looks good.
DeleteI wonder if any of our current crop of politicians will leave anything as enchanting for future generations.
ReplyDeletePerhaps David Cameron? His mother-in-law runs a small, select chain of high-class furniture and interior design shops called OKA. There's a branch in Saffron Walden!
DeleteI have never been to Hughenden. I suppose David Mitchell and his lady have to go out sometime - but it is nice to know they seem happy!
ReplyDeleteTheir obvious happiness was lovely to behold!
ReplyDeleteHughenden's been on the list for a while and you've just whetted the appetite. There's loads to see around that part of the world. Nice to see any couple being happy and the Mitchells strike me as being good people, as well as witty and bright. I thought John's question was a good one; wonder what Nicola Sturgeon will bequeath to the nation?
ReplyDeleteSomething very minimalist & tidy, I should think. Ms Sturgeon scares me stiff!
DeleteI must get out of London more. I think I said this in my last comment. Love reading about your visits. Celebrity spotting, we can't help it can we. We saw James McAvoy on a Thames Clipper, does that count?
ReplyDeleteA great story of a fascinating visit.....do you think David and Victoria took photos of you ?
ReplyDeleteThe rain seemed to suit the house somehow both inside and out! I did like the quotes on the blinds though... something a little less inspiring but useful would have been good in our last house (which had them at all the sash windows) especially my son's bedroom "stop pulling these blinds down by the bottom and use the bloody toggle pull!"
ReplyDeleteThe rain seemed to suit the house somehow both inside and out! I did like the quotes on the blinds though... something a little less inspiring but useful would have been good in our last house (which had them at all the sash windows) especially my son's bedroom "stop pulling these blinds down by the bottom and use the bloody toggle pull!"
ReplyDeleteI'd love to pinch the idea of pull-down quotes on blinds. Didn't realise that the Mitchell addition to Victoria's name was David's. I'm not much of a celeb spotter and find her too sharp by far but perhaps that's just her on-camera persona.
ReplyDelete