Fire Burning

No, we are not in the Australian bush but deepest, darkest Buckinghamshire. This was the last day of the Christmas Season at Waddesdon Manor and, at 6 pm, the doors will have been locked for the last time.

The House will now be stripped of all the Christmas finery whilst an army of conservationists undertake cleaning and necessary repairs with the curators setting up new exhibitions. A lot stays the same as before but there is always something new to keep everyone returning.

The season has been very successful. House tickets sold out most days but we now look forward to the spring when the next year's programme starts afresh.

I was on the morning shift today greeting visitors at the Main Door and handing out the picture trails, intended for the children but the age of a visitor was not important!

We start back in late March when the House opens its doors again. All is closed during January while the grounds are restored after the winter footfall. Then the grounds open for February and March ahead of the main mansion before Easter.

Another year in the life of Waddesdon over. I paused on the way back to my car by the fire pits near an outdoor seating area to capture the dancing flames. Everything is transitory.