The Pseudo-Londoner: The Fiftieth Day: Bob & Jill's, Lewes Castle, Long Man, Charleston

Saturday, March 29:

Today, we got to spend time with Jill and Bob, Chris's aunt and uncle. And it was AWESOME. Jill has a whole bunch of old photos and trinkets from Grandpa and Grandma Weddick. It was really cool to learn more about Chris's ancestry.

This is Chris's grandpa, James Weddick. Tony's dad. He was a glass blower.

He made this stork piece just after Tony was born.

Originally, there was a little bundle attaching the baby to the stork's beak.

I loved this little candelabra so much.

A unicorn Grandpa made for Charli, Bob and Jill's daughter.

A kangaroo, also for Charli.

Jill also had this little medal given to Grandma Weddick's mom (Grandma Weddick is Eileen Baskerville Humpreys, her mom is Sara Ellen Cothliff) in 1890.

"Reward for regularity, proficiency, and good conduct at school."

Bob's collection of tennis rackets. (This is only a minuscule portion.)

Part of Bob's cactus greenhouse.

After getting situated at their house, Bob and Jill took us to Lewes Castle! It was built in 1069 by William de Warenne, the brother-in-law of William the Conqueror (who built the Tower of London in 1066.) Seriously. Too much history going on over here.

We climbed all the way up!

View from the top.

Love to see those church spires peeking out.

I want to live on this street someday.

After seeing the castle, they took us to see The Long Man of Wilmington. For a long time, it was thought to have been created in the neolithic period, however recent research indicates it may have been cut in the early modern era, around the 16th-17th centuries, AD.

No matter when it was created, it's impressive to see.

Also in Lewes, we saw the house of Thomas Paine, author of the controversial pamphlet "Common Sense" in 1776, and Father of the American Revolution.

After grabbing lunch, we went to Charleston, the Sussex home of the Bloomsbury Group artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Bell and Grant were pioneers of early 20th century British art. Their home in Sussex was basically a hub for creative minded intellectuals. Frequent guests were Virginia Woolf (Bell's sister), Clive Bell, Maynard Keynes, T.S. Eliot, and E.M. Forster.

This man was reading outside the small cafe attached to the house. Very quaint.

This house was literally their canvas. Every square inch of that place was painted -- walls, furniture, bathtubs, tables, you name it! The place was also chock-a-block with their original textiles & ceramics, and paintings by artists they admired, namely Picasso, Renoir, and Sickert.

They didn't allow photography inside, so once again, I've done a google search. I just want you guys to get an idea of this place.

Don't be surprised if our Lehi house is all painted up like this next time you come over. I'm in love with the eclectic and artsy nature of this place. Now if only I had Vanessa Bell's talent.

The gardens outside were just lovely.