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Susan's ScrapbookMemories of Althorp
We had to get a cab from Waterloo Station over to
Euston Station, to get the train to Northampton...that train was certainly
not as nice as the Eurostar!!!
The scenery coming out of London was pretty grundgy...but once you got away
from the buildings you ran into nice countryside & green fields...lots of
stops at little towns along the way...We arrived at Northampton around 4 p.m.....as we came out of the train
station..I wondered if this was where the boys & family members would have
emerged from their train the day of the funeral...
We took a cab to the b&b in Nobottle Grange,  which is around 2 miles from
Althorp..it is just outside the tiny town of Nobottle (which consists of 3
houses or so!!) It is an ancient farmhouse..our bedroom looked out over the
horses stables...& the back of the house looked out over the green
fields..with a horse grazing a few feet from the back garden!! Just what I
had thought it would be..rustic & charming!! We were served tea in the back
garden...then Ian (our gracious host) offered to drive us into the town of
Great Brington so we could have a gander around...
So off we went with Ian... down the country roads..past the Coachs Inn (Ian
popped in there & made the 2 of us a reservation for supper) & the post
office...along the winding road past St. Mary's church...just like in the
pictures I had seen so many times...then we came around the corner & there
in the distance stood the big house!!!  I instantly recognized it , of
course..but mom didn't know that!! Ian dropped us off near the entrance, &
we bid him goodbye...He had told us to phone him after our meal & he would
pick us up again!! How kind!!
So I was down in the ditch..having a good look at the house in the
distance...not believing I was REALLY THERE!!! One of the security people
started heading towards us..Mom figured I was in trouble already for being
in the ditch!!  But she(security gal) just wondered if we were planning on
visiting Althorp that day, as they were getting ready to close..so I told
her I would be back the next day!! With bells on!!
We headed off towards the grove of trees that takes you over to St.Marys
Church...I wandered around the graves in the church yard..looking at all the
old Spencer graves..the church had already closed for the day...but I looked
at the outside ..picturing Diana at her father's funeral...No privacy to
mourn him...
Then we walked down the street & came upon the post office... They were still
open so I was able to go in...
I must say, I was disapointed in it..I expected alot more Diana things...I
picked out a few things I didn't have..then went to look in the "gallery"
which should be called a "hallway"...They do have some lovely sketches of
Diana in there..I bought a smaller one as my suitcase was getting to the
bursting point!!
There is a sign for the "world famous post office" by the church...so I
think their reputation outshines their product...
I think it is under new management as well...as the lady at the counter did
not look like the pix I have seen on webpages..Guess she could have been a
helper..
The restauarant is right beside the postoffice so we went in for supper...It
was a fabulous meal..I kept looking around, wondering how many Spencers had
eaten here...there was a guest book that I was wanting to look at..but could
only glance at it as there were people standing in front of it!!
When we were done our meal..we told the waitress to phone Ian at Nobottle..&
I went to use the payphone to call my kids!! Next thing I knew..one of the
hostesses at the restauarant had pulled her car up in front & told us to hop
in! I couldn't believe the hospitality!!! So this kind girl drove us back to
the b&b....I told her we were from Canada & about my love for Diana..but she
never offered any tidbits of info...DANG!!
We headed off to bed when we got back...nice big soft beds...so comfy!!!
I don't know how I slept that night...so eager with anticipaton for the
dream about to come true...the climax of the trip......
I will leave off here..leaving you begging for more!!
I know I have babbled on with this day...but they are important details,
aren't they??!!
More to come....
suzz
I had left off by turning in for the night at Nobottle
Grange...
a picturesque liitle b&b a few miles from Great Brington...
Tuesday, August 20th I awoke with anticipation of the coming
day...nervous
with excitement..Here I was, just a few minutes from entering
Althorp...my
dreams were going to become a reality...
my tummy had butterflies, as Valerie, Ian's wife, kindly drove us
over to
Althorp..which I am sure she has done for her guests numerous times.
I lept out of the car upon arrival (covered in dog hair...their dogs
must
enjoy rides in the back seat as well!!)
there were around 2 dozen or so people milling about the
 entrance..waiting
for the doors to open at 10 am...finally the guard flung them open..&
of
course I was the first to enter..as alot of people still had to
purchase
tickets for the day..
I presented my beraggled blue & white piece of paper..that I had
guarded
with my life since it's purchase a few months prior...when mom & I
decided
to go on this trip, the first thing I did was purchase my tickets to
Althorp
over the internet..
I had a real attachment to that piece of paper...it was hard to give
it up,
after checking that I still had it in my pouch along our entire
journey thru
England & Paris!!
We headed off down the tree lined road  towards the main house &
stables...I
paused to read a plaque saying how the Earl had planted the row of
trees
there in memory of his sister Diana...I was so in awe that I was
actually
there...
We came upon the stables..one of the coaches had already pulled in by
this
time, & streams of tourists were pouring out & heading for the
exhibit
there..
I had brought a small bouquet of pink carnations with me, that I had
purchased at Euston Station in London... so I decided to go straight
to the
oval instead..so I wasn't carrying them all over creation...
we strolled along side the main house, admiring the grounds &
gardens...immaculate...then we came to the winding path that leads
you to
the oval...
when we had first entered the park, mom asked if we shouldn't get a
map..& I
told her I had this place memorised in my heart since forever..but I
still
purchased a souvenier guide book as a memento..
Thus I had no problem in finding my way around the house & directly
towards
Diana's final resting place..Again, I was so nervous as each step
brought me
closer & closer to her presence..you cannot imagine the adrenaline
rushing
thru my body...
as we rounded one last curve in the path ..I saw it...the oval, the
urn, the
water like glass surrounding her...my God, what an incredible
feeling...beyond words..I just stood there & stared, unbelieving of
what me
eyes were taking in...
We lingered there awhile, then walked along the path that leads you
to the
temple at the far end...
all kinds of waterfowl that had been lazing on the path took
exception to
our presence there ..& noisily proceeded to head for the pond... What
a rucus
they created..but a lovely one!! I cannot imagine a more peaceful
place for
Diana to have as her eternal home...it is absolutely breathtaking...
As we came upon the temple, there were 2 security ladies
there..trying to
arrange the flowers left there from the days prior ...they looked
a bit
flustered about it..so I offered them my help, as I told them I have
a
flower shop back in Canada! well, they were more than happy to
take my guidance..as I told them what to put where, & which groups of
colors
looked better than others!!! I had a grand time..I would have loved
one of their Althorp jackets as a souvenier!!
Mom told them I should come & look after the flowers for Diana during
the
months the park is open!! Oh, I would have loved that, could have
pitched a
tent by the path... Heaven!!
We had a nice chat with the two ladies looking after the flowers,
they told
me about all the flowers that were left there at the first
anniversary of
her death..& wondered what it would be like at the upcoming 5th ...I
asked
if they had noticed the number of bouquets dwindling with each
season..& the
one said yes..every year there is less..but they do have more flowers
after
the weekend visitors...
You are not allowed on the grassy areas, so I could not approach the
bench
to view the flowers more closely..unfortunatly..I asked if I should
just
leave my bouquet along the path.. & they said yes...
I then asked about the row boat that I had seen in photos..& where it
had
gone, as it wasn't there...They weren't familiar with it..I assumed
that it
was used for family members to go to the oval...
They said they knew they used the boat to go on the lake to clean it
periodically, but that was it...so I questioned how they would get
onto to
the island, as I had seen pictures of a dock taking you there..They
said the
army had erected it to carry the body across, but it had not been
there
since...It made me wonder just how often family have gone onto the
oval
since that september day...
I could have stood there all day & talked to those ladies,  they were
so
friendly..They told me how all the cards are removed from the
bouquets left
there , put in a box, & given to the Earl..& they make compost from
the old
flowers for the gardens..I told them how disapointed I was about
bouquets
not being left at K.P. & not knowing where the cards went..they were
quite
shocked at that..so I felt much happier leaving my flowers there instead...
as we were in discussion, some other visitors invaded my
territory...& I
thought I had better move on... bid my new friends goodbye & moved
on up
the path..
Half way up the path we decided to linger a bit more, & just sat on
one of
the benches...More & more visitors were making their way to the oval
now...our quiet serenity was disappearing...
I can still see the monument at the end of the oval..surrounded by
trees..I
kept wondering where her body lay among all those trees...In
disbelief that
mine , & the world's, favorite princess actually lay there...
As more people approached where we were sitting, i decided to head
over to
the stables..as they were ruining the moment for me...I was so glad
that I
went to the oval as soon as we got there...it was so special to have
that
quiet time with diana...
I will leave off here..& continue next time with the moving visit to
the
exhibition..
Now we will head down the path towards the
exhibition...
the winding trail that leads you back to the main house..takes you
along a
fenced area where you can see the Earls' children's swingset &
playhouse,
reminding you that this is a family home after all...
The Diana exhibition is in the converted stable block, just past the
main
house...it is divided into sections, & you can come & go as you
please...no
formal lineups, which is nice...except that some people park in front
of
something & DON'T MOVE !!! Which can be very frustrating!!We entered the stables at the beginning..the childhood
section....there is
not a huge display of items..just little snippits of Diana's early
years...
there was her school box, with "D.Spencer" emblazoned across the
front...some of her childhood toys...some pages from her diary..&
family
snapshots of her early years..On the wall beside the display cases
there was
a screen with footage of our Diana, from a babe right thru to her
young
teens..laughing & smiling...there was also music playing, slowly..&
the
sound effect of a movie camera running..then stopping as the frame on
the
screen froze on diana's face..mid-dance....
I stood there..leaning against the wall..watching that footage over &
over
again..People would come in & out of that room..I didn't move...I was
fighting back the tears...a gutwrenching feeling in the pit of my
stomach...it was so heartbreaking to see that little girl ..so young
&
carefree..no idea of the fate awaiting her..
I can still hear that music playing....
upon exiting there...back out to the daylight..squinting back the
tears..we
went into the royal wedding exhibit..Joyful music all around...a
small
cabinet on the far wall had a framed pic of her in the glass coach,
she had
signed it for her daddy..a xmas card from Charles..& some of the pix
her dad
had taken in London of all the wedding decorations in the
streets...Very
personal items...on the main wall was a display with THE DRESS!!! I
could
not believe I was looking at it in person...it did not look as
voluminous as
in the photos..& the train was all wrapped around...deceiving as to
the
length of it...It looked like it had yellowed a bit over time..but it
was
ivory to begin with...also there were her "Cinderella slippers"..such
detail
on a pair of shoes!! I was imagining her feet sliding into them!!
Also a
bridesmaid & flowergirl dress...& a parasol made for the big day,
incase it rained!! What a wonderful display!
In the same room..they also had a section dedicated to Diana's
charity
work..with different screens showing her hard at work..also a small
display
cabinet with a bible dedicated to her from Mother Theresa..& some
letters
written & received relating to her charity work...
Upon leaving this area you came around the corner to total
darkness...& the
overwhelming scent of roses....it takes awhile for your eyes to
adjust to it
...As you enter the room..there is a section cordoned off in the
middle with
a huge mound of dried rose petals...I am assuming there are from the
funeral...but they could be from flowers left at the oval...On a
screen
behind the petals is a grainy image of scenes from the week leading
up to
the funeral...again there was the music...so fitting with what you
were
seeing...a small display cabinet on the opposite wall held the Earl's
handwritten eulogy as well as the original sheet music from
Elton's "Candle
In The Wind"....
I did not get to see much of those items as people would not move!!!
Being
tall has it's advantages, so I peered over their shoulders!!
The funeral room did not have much in it..but spoke volumes..
as you leave that area you come into a long room..bordered my Diana's
gowns
& clothes on either side....what a sight!!! I so enjoyed looking at
them
all..as well as a photo of her in the outfit on display...there was
also a
video of her running on the far end of the room...so I leaned against
one of
the huge pillars & just took the room in...
they did not show any video of the engagement or wedding..mainly
Diana & her
young boys...My mom really enjoyed watching it ..People around us
were
laughing & talking..I was speechless....the tears came & they
wouldn't
stop...Diana holding a newborn William...running with the mom's at
sportsday
at school..so young...so vibrant..& gone....
I tried so hard to hold it together, but I couldn't...Mom kept
looking at
me..I told her to go on without me..I really wanted to be left
alone...As in
the childhood exhibit, I just watched those videos over & over
again..They
had a real impact on me...
I finally moved on...I had to..the pain was so great...as you exit
there is
a wall with a bank of books of condolence..hundreds of them..I
glanced over
them..but didn't linger..I felt completely depleted...
I left the exhibit..& the sun had finally peeked out...Diana was
smiling
down on me...but I had nothing to smile about...
We decided we would have lunch..& sat at one of the patio tables
outside..I
went into the cafeteria & got us some lunch...My head was
pounding....mom
kept giving me looks..I felt like everybody was looking at me..as
I'm sure
my eyes were as red as a beet...I did not notice anyhow else as upset
as
I..but then I think alot of these people have been there before...or
they
just do not feel the loss as greatly as I...I just felt completely
drained..emotionally & mentally..I never imagined that visiting the
exhibit
would overwhelm me like that...It was like all the things I had
dreamed
about I loved about Diana were all brought together in those few
rooms...No
where in London did I feel as I did now..no where...The feeling is
undescribable upon words...
sue
We are still at Althorp...I had just come from the moving exhibit & we
were
having our lunch at the patio tables in the courtyard of the stables...My
head was pounding..my eyes were red & watering..I was a real wreck...so
filled with grief...
Once we were finished with lunch..we headed over to the main house..as
for a
small fee you could tour the more elaborate parts of the home..not the
private areas, though..
We wandered thru the house..up the grand staircase..My eyes immediately
drawn to the life size portrait of Diana at the top of the stairs..next
to
her was a huge portait of her brother Charles with his eulogy papers in
his
hand..quite moving to see the two of them together on that huge wall..
We were given an audio guide that I half listened to..I just wandered
about & imagined Diana growing up in this huge place..we saw her father's
writing
desk..with a framed photo of Diana perched on it..taken during the
engagement..There were signs that this was a "lived in" home..as there
were
rows of pop cans in the bar & stacks of board games on a side shelf..
In the final area of the house we came to a piano..which I am sure Diana
sat
at many times..& the top of it was covered in Spener family photos..some
in
rather worn frames..There was one of the young Prince's in their riding
gear..taken in the mid 80's...Also one of Diana holding newborn
William..The
first official portait of the two of them..but this pose was abit
different
than the released one..as her head was tilted differently..Of course I
would
notice little details like that!! The rest were of the Earls's children &
Sarah & Jane's families'..I was busy telling mom who all these people
were
&
a fellow near us was listening quite intently..He must have thought I was
very knowledgable!!Mom said I should be giving the tours myself!!
There was a photo of the Earl & his new wife as well..standing apart from
the others...I hope he is happier this time around!!
One thing that was not there was a recent photo of the Prince's..thus
Diana
is no longer here to make sure her brother receives a photo of them...
I came away from the house with a feeling of knowing more about Diana's
background & the life of privledge she had..but she still kept that
common
touch...amazing..
From the house we headed over to the gift shop at the stables..It was
nearing 2 p.m. & we were told that was the usual time the Earl came in to
sign books...
We were handed a guide to the gifts available , upon entry to the
shop...Not
many people inside ..& I saw no sign of the Earl...
I had read about the different way this shop is set up..That the gifts
are
displayed in a case & then you go across the room to the counter &tell
the
servers what you would like..It reminded me of a cafeteria in a way!! I
think that would be abit frustrating if the shop was packed..As the case
is
against a wall & hard to see things with a crowd of people there..I think
he
should have the case in the middle of the room..so people can view it
from
all sides...Just my opinion..
I decided which items I would like..then walked over to the counter &
placed
my order...A pack of Diana postcards, ceramic pill box with her profile,
ceramic heart shaped dish with althorp motif, a ceramic damasse
cup/saucer
with logo..& the boxed hardback book of the earls' eulogy..Hoping the
Earl
would soon arrive to sign it for me....There were not alot of items to
chose
from , but I felt the ones I purchased were tasteful...
They packed it all into bright pink Althorp,paper handled bags for me..&
we
went out into the sunshine...
We had an icecream as I was still waiting for the Earl to show...With
every
minute that passed I was more disapointed with not seeing him...
Finally..we got tired of sitting there idle,so I suggested we go back to
the
oval for one final look...This time it was crawling with people..There
was
not an empty bench in site..& you could hear everybody chattering
away...Much nicer at my morning visit..
I went to the temple to see if many more bouquets had arrived...my
security
lady friends smiled at me knowingly & said "hello"..I felt like a
regular!!
There were some lovley flowers there now..much larger than mine, of
course..I had tucked mine behind the "keep off the grass" sign..but now
they
were laid out front & center..with my large card that I had attached
Canada
flag emblems to..for everyone to see!! People were pausing to read the
verse..as it was lovley & meaningful. (I didn't compose it..I had
purchased
it at home & brought it with me..then wrote my thoughts inside)....So
that
made me feel good , too...
We walked completely around the oval that final time..then headed back to
the gift shop ..No Earl..I asked one of the servers if they still
expected
him today& he said he is usually there by that time..So he must not be
comming..I wasn't the only one disapointed..as there were others hanging
around too....but there wasn't much we could do about it...That was the
only
let down I had the entire trip, tho..
It was heading on for 4 p.m. by this time..& we still wanted to have a
look
inside St. Marys' church in the village, as they close at 4 p.m.
So I turned my back on the stables & oval..I began the long walk back
down
the road towards the village..With each step my heart felt
heavier..wondering if I would ever get back there again..& telling my
soul
to never forget this day..ever..
We followed the same route we had walked the day prior..& made our way to
the church..going through the same door Diana & her family did in the
photos
from her dad's funeral...
We found the Spencer vault..but there is a locked gate across it , so you
can't go up to them...I would have liked a better look at her dad's tomb,
but you can't really see anything. Of course, I wondered if Diana was
really
in there,too.. as all the speculation still abounds as to where she is
really
buried..But I believe she is at the oval...
We didn't spend a lot of time at the church, but then we had admired
graves
in the church yard the day before...so we started our journey back to our
B&B at Nobottle Grange..It took us about 15 minutes to walk back along
the
road there,a lovely country journey!!
Our host at the B&B kindly drove us back to the train station in
Northampton..& asked us how we enjoyed our visit to Althorp..I poured my
heart out & she just nodded & smiled..no insider info to share with
me..once
again! I asked if she is busy with guests coming to see Diana's grave..&
she
said yes, they are steady thru the summer & always booked up at Diana's
birthday & close to the date of her death...
We left Valerie at the train station with our many thanks..& a promise to
visit her again!! I hope I can keep that promise....
Then it was back onto the train..this time with my heart full of grief
for
Diana..& a pounding in my head that would just not go away....
We left Northamption around 5 pm. & were back in London by 6 p.m.....Back
to
the big bustling city once more!! I just had 2 days left in London before
it
was time to fly back home...Lots left to see!!
Will pick up again in London next time around!!
Hope you enjoyed our visit to Althorp!!
~~Suzz~~
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