Page 28 - Fall/Winter Taste Magazine 2021-2022

Great Finds
which was satisfying for us, even after the many years that have passed. Such memory...of the trauma of it all no doubt!
We enjoyed the first night having dinner at the local pub which was a short walk along the lane, the popular Gribble Inn. Another night was enjoyed eating Italian style at Prezzo, in Chichester, and for our last night at an excellent, and very popular gastro pub, The Bosham Inn, near the beautiful, tiny inlet of Bosham on the south coast.
A visit to famous Goodwood Race Course was a must while we were in the area. The hub of the estate is Goodwood House, a feast for the eyes both inside, encrusted with valuable furniture, art pieces and collections as well as the beautiful 12,000 acres outside. The original Jacobean house, built in 1697, was later developed by the 3rd Duke with the help of the architect James Wyatt. A Palladian-style south wing was added in the 18th centu- ry, as well as the round towers with their copper-covered domes. One of the current Duke’s great passions is horse racing and in the 1980s he completely modernised the famous racecourse, building new grandstands. This 10th Duke of Richmond is proud too, of his connections with horse racing in the USA. Goodwood has a twinning arrangement with the Oak Tree Racing Association at Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles, he has made a huge contribu- tion to the stability and preservation of this great English country estate.
n the way home we spent several hours at the Weald and O
Downland Living Museum, which is also the filming location of the famous and much loved English Repair Shop TV series. We actual- ly saw Dom, one of the famous experts working outside on some metal work while were there. We thoroughly enjoy watching it here on Netflix, as many of you do hopefully. The museum covers 40 acres with over 50 historic buildings dating from 950AD to the 19th century, along with gardens, farm animals, walks and a mill pond.
The principal aim at the foundation of the museum was to establish a centre that could rescue representative examples of buildings from every day life, in South East England, and thereby to generate increased public awareness and interest in the built environment. The museum strongly supports keeping buildings at their original site unless there is no alternative, and strives for an informed and sensitive approach to their preservation and continuing use. The buildings at the museum were all threatened with destruction and, as it was not possi- ble to find a way to preserve them at their original sites, they were care- fully dismantled, conserved and rebuilt in their historical form at the museum!
These buildings, plus two archaeological reconstructions, help the museum bring to life the homes, farmsteads and rural industries of the last 950 years. Along with the buildings, there are "hands-on" activi- ties, like cooking, and weaving, and a number of yearly activities, includ- ing seasonal shows and historic gardens weekends. Such an amazing project and so worthwhile for all to admire, experience and learn from.
England
England
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the difficulties and complications from the pandemic, including then
having to quarantine for two weeks on our arrival, we did not have the heart or energy to venture further afield into Europe as well. It was great to be back over there with my family. Like so many who have not been able to see family, we have not seen my, now 90 year old father, for two years. Thankfully mum/Val made it over in February 2020...and made it back just in time!
Our focus was on my parents this time and doing more than ever with them. We had booked a very attractive Airbnb in southern England, only just operating fairly normally, very near Chichester, Pear Store Cottage. It worked out well as there was a bedroom and bath- room downstairs for mum and dad, with a large patio and picnic area leading through French doors for our private use. There was also a very nice large, indoor swimming pool, and tennis court, (hence this choice), which is very unusual for an Airbnb in the UK. It is located in beautiful countryside and farmland yet it is close to the coast and towns.
My father wanted to rediscover some areas in the old town of Chichester while we were so close by, memories from when he was very young and his first evacuation location during World War II, away from the bombing of London. We managed to track down a few old streets,
aving finally made it over to England this last summer, with all
28 Celebrating 30 Years! Taste Dining & Travel • Fall/Winter More online at www.tasteweb.net
By Vanessa Shaw-Finelli