The Vyne

Saturday was rainy, so we had to find an open indoor venue for adventure.  We chose The Vyne an old house not too terriby far away.  We didn't realize that the house was so far away from the carpark, but the walk to get there was quite inspiring.  Interestingly, the sketches of the house from the 19th century spelled vine with an i.  I wonder why it got changed . . .  



Lake on the way to the house.

More snowdrops!  They are so dainty.  Against the brown they are even more symbolic of the hope of spring.

First view of the house from the bridge.

Cool spring foliage that looks like autumn.

Honestly, this picture shows how England makes me feel sometimes.

The ceiling inside.  It reminds me of Wedgewood.  How cool would this be to have in my house someday?

An obscure camera.  It projects the view it sees from the top onto the piece of paper you can barely see inside the triangle part.  They you could sketch the shadows and use it to watercolour.  It was very cool.

The house from the front - ironically one of our last views of it since the approach is from the side.

The summer house beside the 100 guinea oak that is estimated to be over 600 years old.  Legend has it that the oak got its name because someone offered the owner 100 pounds (20 shillings under the old money system) for the timber of the oak and was refused.  The next day, he came back and offered 100 guineas (21 shillings under the old money system) for the timber and was again refused.  The owner is reported to have said that if the wood increased in value that much overnight he would rather have the tree.  Keep in mind, that the guinea hasn't been minted since 1813.