I drove over to the place I’ve started referring to as the Homelands. Thoresby Park. Not been there in quite a while. Don’t think I went there at all during last year. Don’t think I went anywhere last year.
My Thoresby blog started 2006, as much of my social life started at the same time. It was my first choice of a place to go after retiring. It provided a lot of fun and adventures between 2007 and 2020. Sadly, today it bears no resemblance to what it was then:
Access to the lakeside, gone.
Ability to stroll through the village, or drive past Woodyard, gone.
Art Gallery, gone,
Souvenir shop, gone.
There is literally nothing to do there now but have a coffee in the courtyard, and maybe walk back and forth to the churchyard. Again.
Above: My Scottish grandparents lived a while at the rear of Thoresby Hall Courtyard. He was head gardener until, homesick, they returned to the highlands. Long ago she would have a “piece” (cake / sandwich), ready for me. Today, a quiet place to sit and sketch.
all artworks copyright ian gordon craig.
