Trip To England Part Five: Althorp The Childhood Home of Diana, Princess Of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales was one of the worlds most famous icons. But growing up in England she was known as the Queen of people's hearts.

 

I remember the day Diana died as if I were still eleven years old. It was the end of our summer holidays, and my mum allowed my sister and I to sleep in sleeping bags in the living room, watch VHS tapes (ha ha) and eat some homemade treats. She knew full well, after a busy summer day we'd be asleep before the movie even ended.

 

I woke up early the next morning, at around 5am to watch my favorite cartoon at the time called Madeline, and was interrupted with the news. It said that Diana had died in a car accident. So I ran into my mums bedroom, and shook her a little, then I proclaimed;

 

"Mum...Princess Diana is dead"

 

She had never, in all my childhood woken up so fast, and she responded;

 

"She can't be, she's my age and has two young boys."

 

We all gathered in the living room, huddled around the television with cups of tea, in a state of shock!

 

 

In many ways Diana was a part of our life. My mum, aunt and their friends were always talking about her fashion, growing up she was always on television opening a hospital, or seen enjoying a day with her sons and lastly after she passed away.

 

So, months before I had decided to come to England, my sweet sister booked us tickets to visit Althorp, Diana's childhood home in Northamptonshire. Luckily, we had chosen the most glorious of days for a tour.

 

 

 

So this home has been held by the prominent aristocratic Spencer family for over 500 years, and has been owned by Charles Spencer (Diana's brother), 9th Earl Spencer since 1992. It was also the home of his sister, Diana, before her marriage to Charles, Prince of Wales. 

 



 

 

 

Behind me are the stables where we stopped for some tea and cake. It also housed a small exhibition which had some of the books of condolences. A tearful moment.

 

 

After a relaxing break, my Mum, sister, hubby and I meandered down a gravel pathway to the oval lake where Diana was laid to rest.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was nice that there were benches to sit on and watch the ducks swimming around the lake. Such a simple setting for an extraordinary woman. Then we walked back up to the house and bought a few souvenirs.
 

 

 

It was a lovely family day out at Althorp.

Linked up to:
Imparting Grace #108
Share Your Cup Thursday #109

THIRD EVER 5 on Friday

 

 

I'm linking up for my third ever 5 on Friday.

 

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ONE

 

I got married last Wednesday on July 31st, 2013.

 

 

We had a dock wedding, you can see more pictures here.

 

TWO

 

We cut our cake on Venice Beach, in Florida.

 

 

It was such a memorable beach day. We're about 20 minutes away from this beach, and we have a tradition of going to Chic-Fil-A and getting a chicken salad sarnie and sweet tea every time. This time we had cake for dessert, and watched the sunset over The Gulf.

 

Making memories!

 

Well, I'm all about chocolate cake, so I had the smallest slither of the cake, and sure enough after a few days...I opened the fridge and my newly wedded hubby had finished all but one small slice.

 

Ha ha.

 

THREE

 

I have booked my trip to Europe in September!

 

I'll be staying with my mum and sister in England for about fifteen days, in the countryside home I grew up in. We're planning on visiting some stately homes. We did that a lot when I was growing up. Apparently, the Diana, Princess of Wales exhibition at Althorp is about to close next year. But I'll be there two weeks late for this year...

 

They open from Diana's birthday, July 1st until the date she died, August 31st.

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I'd probably be in tatters anyway.

 

But, I'll see old high school friends, and then take a trip with my sister to Germany, for my dad's memorial service. He died in May, a week before my birthday after a two and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer.

 

FOUR

 

 I volunteered with children whose parents are going through cancer for about two years. It was so absorbing, and those children melted my heart. So when I saw this adorable girl, Ava...it made me really reflect.

 

Call someone you miss today,

 

or send a letter to grandma...

 

Tell someone intentionally, that you love them.

 

Because, after all life is about making memories, and that's the only thing you can leave behind that's worth anything.

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FIVE

 

Here's a recipe I had to share:

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Pancakes made in muffin tins. Only fill the tin 1/2 full and it will create the crater when it bakes. Fill with fresh berries.

Delish!

Have a happy weekend y'all.