No not the London one because Devon has a Swiss Cottage of its own, and some of you are not experiencing deja vue, this post did go up a little embryonically and too soon last week and I quickly retrieved it for a bit more tweaking.
Setting off on my weekly Archers podcast Amble I decided to head across from home to the Endsleigh estate because it really is my summer daylight plan to walk there on Endsleigh Salon book group evenings and I wanted a rough idea of how long it might take me.... note I only said 'there', the plan also includes Part B which entails Bookhound meeting me at the end of the drive for a lift home at 10pm.
Well suffice to say if I leave home at 6.30pm I'll be there for about 7.15pm though probably in need of a shower because yet another long uphill slog, which seems so easy in the car but needed three breathers, before descending down into the dip into which Endsleigh nestles. Looking across towards Endsleigh, one of the visible features is Fisheries Cottage and nearby I knew was a property owned by The Landmark Trust, Swiss Cottage which I have seen pictures of but had never actually walked to, so I made that my destination.
The Landmark Trust a treasure trove of wonderful properties around the UK...
...... a building preservation charity, founded in 1965 by the late Sir John Smith and Lady Smith. It was established to rescue historic and architecturally interesting buildings and their surroundings from neglect and, when restored, to give them new life by letting them as places to experience for holidays.
No signs that said Private so I walked up the track, past Fisheries Cottage and met two people coming out of Swiss Cottage. Heck , I thought, holiday makers here for a bit of peace and quiet, won't want a rambler spoiling their solitude, better turn around, but it was my lucky day. Lou works for The Landmark Trust and was staying for the weekend with her husband Tony and doing an appraisal of the property.
Landmark Trust you have a treasure in Lou. You know what it's like when you live near somewhere and have always wanted to have a look inside... well Tony and Lou invited me in and showed me round the immaculately furnished, tiny rooms, all with fireplaces and all just oozing that 1800's atmosphere.
Swiss Cottage was built by the Bedfords in about 1815 as a spot for shooting lunches and picnics, and of course those of us who have read Mistress of the Arts by Rachel Trethewey will know that this place holds even more significance.... so there I was imagining Georgiana and the artist Landseer and their romantic trysts, conducting their probably not so secret affair in this idyllic little spot far away from the prying eyes of the Big House. I'd have given my eye teeth to have had the time to sit down and read the little book of local history and relevant articles that The Landmark Trust place in all their properties, along with a shelf full of even more relevant books that caught my eye.
The views from that balcony must be some of the most stunning in the county, if not the country...
and the view from the bedroom window up under the eaves looking down high above the River Tamar enough to make your soul sing even on an overcast day.
As always at Endsleigh, looking at what's underfoot bears its own reward...
and then I look up again and somehow I can't take in enough of this view...
But Lou and Tony had their weekend to get on with so I took my leave and set off for home with glad heart. I was back in the door in what seemed a thrice, didn't notice the hills, just happy to have had such a lovely and very unexpected morning and what a lucky chance meeting that was... thanks again Lou and Tony.
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