Around this time last year I motored out of London to Waddesdon Manor, an estate in Buckinghamshire built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the late 1800s, built in the style of the French Renaissance. The opening of the manor was advertised as 'Dressed for Christmas' and nature certainly had the building and gardens looking their prettiest, with a recent fall of snow and the winter sun highlighting the honey-coloured stone and glittering metal roofs. Once inside though I felt the decorations appeared a little lack lustre - missing that certain flair. I was expecting a little more innovation, originality and skill with the decorations. The year before I expressed the same slight disappointment at the Christmas opening at Blenheim Palace; there I found even some of the basic preparations wanting. When you are expecting just one guest, or a thousand to call by, you do normally show them the courtesy of having flicked the feather duster around before their arrival.
It is impossible not to be impressed however with either estate, both extraordinary buildings and gardens - two magnificent cameos on the velvet of the English landscape. That December day at Waddesdon was extremely cold - even Apollo and his statuary friends were rugged up against the cold - but I was able to enjoy a lengthy walk around the grounds and magnificent wine cellar. The garden was restored twenty years ago, re-emphasising the parterre design and the woodland paths.
When the damp and darkness closed in was time to move to the picture perfect Five Arrows Hotel, just near the entrance to the manor - a wonderful atmosphere, with staff members who are happy for you to explore behind every doorway, and superb fare.
Speaking of being dressed for Christmas you will not find a store bought Christmas bauble at Fairhall, a Georgian terrace home in East Melbourne, housing the extensive and amazing Johnston Collection. Antique furniture, porcelain, artwork and objet d'art were collected by Johnston, an antique dealer, and are now housed in his home, open to the public. For Christmas each year a Victorian region of the Embroiderers Guild make and arrange exquisite decorations and trimmings, following a particular theme in the Collection. This year the North east region of Victoria and Albury are preparing the exhibition. One year the table was laid with felted summer pudding and frosted fabric fruit, on exquisitely embroidered linen. The tree was laden with the highest quality handmade ornaments, along with miniature portraits reflecting the estate’s collection of miniatures. The skill and design on display was quite breathtaking. I have attached a link to the website (to the right of the page) and suggest if you are in Melbourne between now and 24 February 2012 you squeeze onto a tour, and I mean squeeze as there are some tight corners to be negotiated.
