Detour - the first

Well, the blog is titled 'detours' so - true to title - here is our first detour in to the rural fastness of the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. On Sunday my wife (Linsey) and I headed for Kelmscott Manor http://www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk/ .

It was William Morris's nineteenth century family home; Morris was a pioneer in the field of design. To my surprise he bought the property on a joint lease with his friend and hero, Dante Gabriel Rossetti.......the surprise being that Rossetti conducted a long-term affair with Mrs Morris (Jane).......who was Rossetti's muse and features in many of his paintings and sketches:
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/rossetti/works/morris/janeburden.aspx

Unsurprisingly they seem to have inhabited Kelmscott on a 'time-share' basis.....not often meeting as a threesome! But I digress......or detour within a detour, even........

Kelmscott is one of those places that exudes peace and tranquility, even though it is relatively small and well visited (on the limited days it is open).

What struck me especially was Morris's ethos for life and living.....which resonates in the 21st century:

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".



See you tomorrow; comments and reactions welcomed



James