"We seemed more free and an air of holiday over it all...a perfect dream of delight".
"...to be there stimulated the imagination".
In Eastbourne this summer, they had a "Summer Seaside" Exhibit...1870-1970 at the Redoubt. (The Redoubt is a fortress which was built in order to defend the area from a possible invasion from Napoleon. Didn't happen of course, but hey, they were ready!)
If you read the sign below, you will see that Lewis Carroll, the author of "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland", visited Eastbourne every summer for nineteen years. It is interesting to note that the young woman's words from the late 1890's could very much describe how we feel when we visit there. The letter goes on to talk of Lewis Carroll becoming lost on the Downs in the fog and I can only imagine how scary that could be...
Here are a couple of photos of the desk that was used by Lewis Carroll when he was in Eastbourne!
Just in case you don't know what fog looks like, I have a few photos of that too!
At the Redoubt Museum Gift shop, I noticed that there were quite a few books about Lewis Carroll but not the one by Jenny Woolf, that I have mentioned on my blog before.... Well, you know I had to share the knowledge of this to the woman behind the gift shop counter!
"The Mystery of Lewis Carroll" by Jenny Woolf.
http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk/
Don't worry that we got lost in the fog, we had great walking weather. You may walk on a beautiful promenade along the seafront which extends for a couple of miles. (It is called the seafront.) Notice that the hotels built during the Victorian era were built ACROSS the street from the beach, so they all have such lovely views!
"We seemed more free and an air of holiday over it all...a perfect dream of delight".
That had to be a fascinating place to visit. Alice is a special friend so I always enjoy learning more about her and Lewis Carroll.
ReplyDeleteI don't think too many people know about Lewis Carroll spending the last years of his life taking these holidays in Eastbourne, but YOU do! ;-)
DeleteA perfect dream of delight indeed! Beautiful pictures, and I am glad you mentioned Jenny's book to the lady at the gift shop.
ReplyDeleteYes, you know I had to!
Deleteof course your pics show the delight of your holiday .
ReplyDeletegreat photos
What a pretty location, and lovely photos of it all. I enjoyed Jenny's book, which I bought on my Kindle. It would be fun to see his locations after reading it.
ReplyDeleteI loved that Jenny learned so much about Lewis Carroll just from his bank account!
DeleteEastbourne is pretty, you would like it. x
It looks like a wonderful place to visit. Lewis Carroll is a favorite of mine and I often use his quotes.
ReplyDeleteHe really was a fascinating, complex person. I should also have shown you the church that he attended while he was there, and of course, it is still there too!
DeleteYou look good in a bikini, lol!
ReplyDeleteThat is the only bikini you will ever see me wearing! LOL.
DeleteI'm a big Lewis Carroll fan so I enjoyed your post today. We visited The Alice Liddell's grave in Hampshire a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteAs many times as I have visited England, I only have been to London and Eastbourne, and few other spots in East Sussex. I hope to see more of the country one day.
DeleteSuch a lovely place, i can understand who staying there would be a vacation and a happy time.
ReplyDeleteAnd good times like that go by very quickly!
DeleteI'm glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice and I thank you.
DeleteI love that fog photo! And the bikini shot :)
ReplyDeleteHa! If I am ever in a real bikini, I hope for the world's sake that I am in a thick fog!
DeleteThat looks like a great desk. I doubt it could fit all the junk I have on mine but, then again, mine shouldn't have that much junk on it. I didn't know Carroll visited Eastbourne 19 years in a row. Perhaps when I make it big they can have a similar sign in Skegness seeing how I've been there about 19 years in a row. So far.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of Skegness having a display about you, even down to showing your messy desk!
DeleteThis is a lovely post...I didn't know this about Lewis Carroll. And fog is.....interesting. Once when my husband and I were crossing Lake Chautauqua in our boat, fog came down and we became completely disoriented and ended up back near where we had begun without realizing we had changed direction. I'm afraid Carroll's experience would have had me in a panic.
ReplyDeleteI can see how fog could be so dangerous and like you, I would also have been in a panic!
DeleteIt's so lovely there! So glad you had a nice time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn.
DeleteOver the years I have had many holidays and visits to Eastbourne, a most wonderful seaside town.
ReplyDeleteLovely post
All the best Jan
I might see you there some time!
DeleteWhat a lovely place to visit.
ReplyDelete:)Hope
It is!
DeleteThis is a wonderful post, Kay! I enjoyed every bit of it, especially the lovely photo of you outside the cafe + the other of you and Richard. And for someone whose seen a lot of fog, your fog shot was awesome. This post reminded me so much of visiting Brighton and Hove earlier this year. Sorry I've been so sporadic! This has been a crazy year! Take care!
ReplyDeleteHere's to your Braves who trounced our Broncos! Enjoy!
DeleteWish we could have met up in East Sussex, Louise! England would not be able to handle all the exclamation marks from us!
DeleteAnd the Falcons beat the Broncos, the Braves are the baseball team from Atlanta...but I know what you meant! :-)
LOL ~ I'm terrible about remembering the names of sports teams! I would have been awesome to meet!
DeleteIt is a beautiful spot.
ReplyDeleteThe world would be lacking if not for Lewis Carroll and Alice...
ReplyDeleteYou know I agree!
Delete