Nancy Astor's Birthday - The Cliveden Set

I visited Blenheim Palace on Sunday for the second time in 2 weeks, as today's visit was a celebration of Lady Nancy Astor's birthday. I did not meet her two weeks ago, so it was especially  nice to meet her today. Nancy shared her birthday with husband Lord Waldorf Astor.They were both born on May 19th 1879.

Lady Nancy Astor on the left with one of her weekend guests
Image 1

More guest arriving, Lord Lothian -11th Marquess of Lothian,
getting straightened up before their photographs were taken.
Image 2

Image 3

Image 4

Image 5

Times editor Geoffrey Dawson, Viscountess Margaret Rhonda
& Mrs Norah Lindsay
Image 6

Image 7

Image 8

Image 9

Image 10

Image 11

Image 12

Image 13

Image 14

And on their way for the cutting of the birthday cake.
Image 15

Image 16

Lord Astor arrives with Nanny Gibbons
Image 17

Image 18

Image 19

Image 20

Dutchess of Atholl on the left arrives with Nancy Tree,
Nancy Astor's niece
Image 21 

Image 22

Image 23

Image 24

Image 25

Image 26

Image 27

Image 28

Image 29

Image 30

All of the guests gather in time to share the cake cutting with
Lord and Lady Astor
Image 31

Stanley Baldwin
Image 32

Image 33

Image 34

Image 35

Image 36

Image 37

Cliveden

A Hampshire Photography Group "Meet Up" Day at Cliveden, on Sunday 3rd May.   The weather was dramatic, and the colours in the garden positively singing. Great day out, with the bonus of some time chatting to members of "The Cliveden Set of 1934" hosted by Lord Astor.  A separate Blog of "The Cliveden Set" is HERE

The Fountain of Love with the long drive ahead to Cliveden. There are always cars parked
in front of the building spoiling any images taken closer to the building.

One our group, Charlene, resting on the stone bench

Moving into The Long Garden............

20,000 Anemone Bulbs were planted in The Long Garden for the first time this year!  Red, White and Purple, they are planted amongst the daffodils. The daffodil seed heads however not deadheaded, distracted from the Anemonies, but close up, they were beautiful especially after the earlier rain.

Heuchera flowers with raindrops

Moving through The Long Garden to the Woodland area, where bluebells at their peak.

There are countless Statues around the grounds, each with intricate detail with close inspection.

I prefer the simpler linear design of the trough shaped stonework........

The guilded clock at the top of the water tower. 

Moving through beyond the house itself, and the views of the lawns and beyond........

The Terrace

The formal beds of Tulips and Pansies , with clipped box hedging.

The light from the cloud lighting up the distant trees was beautiful

Ladies who lunch. The first glimpse of "The Cliveden Set".

"The Cliveden Set". I got some great photos, and have done a separate BLOG. (link at top)

The sky gets darker!

And darker still!

Shortly after this I made my way to the car park, never getting wet. A bonus photo on the way back when I bumped in to Lord Astor with further guests from The Cliveden Set.