Unseasonal Brits!

It's officially a heatwave!  Well, so we heard today, two days of over 30 degrees  officially constitutes a heatwave. Must say, though, it has been a little hot and  humid - something not associated with the U.K.  

We seem to be getting later each morning, but we have deliberately slowed our pace. 

Today we visited Hatchland Park, just north-east of Guilford. An interesting Georgian house with an outstanding collection of piano-type instruments from very famous people in history eg, Napoleon. It also houses one of the few portraits of Shakespeare painted in his lifetime - presumably he sat for the artist. 

Titled, Playwright! 

Pianos and paintings - quite spectacular displays. 

Hatchland, an elegant Georgian home "built from the money of defeated enemy". 

Interesting to note that a TV production team had set up their base at Hatchland. We found out that the series "Call the Midwife" was shooting scenes. 

Seemed that each actor had their own trailer! Plus, a food canteen seemed to be operating most of the day. 

Later drove on to Ranmore Common for our overnight stop. 

Along the Surrey Hills were some special views. 

And some special villages, like Gomshall. 

And another Gomshall inn. 

And good things come in threes at Gomshall!

At Abinger Hammer this lovely timeless timepiece. 

"The clock which overhangs the main road portrays the figure of "Jack the Blacksmith", who strikes the hour with his hammer. The clock bears the motto "By me you know how fast to go". The clock was given in memory of the first Lord Farrer of Abinger Hall who died in 1899. The clock represents the iron industry and the role played by the county of Surrey in the industrial past." (Wikipedia)