Waddesdon Manor - Christmas 2016 - Part 3

Outside there was a Christmas market with around 50 stalls.

It all looked very inviting but by the time we got out there it was pouring with rain so we had a quick look round and then went in search of lunch

In one of the buildings of the stables area there was a huge gingerbread model of Waddesdon Manor.

You can get an idea of the size from the woman in the second photo.

The whole room smelt very nice!

Waddesdon Manor - Christmas 2016 - More...

More of the trees...

This tree was reflected in the mirror and I just managed to crouch down enough to get myself hidden behind the clock

Spectacular table decoration?

Paper tree - looks like a wedding dress?

Waddesdon Manor - Christmas 2016

We've never been to Waddesdon Manor to see the Christmas displays, so we thought we should put that right.

You need to book timed tickets for entry to the house which incurs a £5 booking fee but on arrival you are presented with a £5 voucher to spend in the shops there.

Since we last visited there's now a huge car park well away from the house and a shuttle bus service to take you to the house. Very slick operation it is too.

Not all the rooms are open but the select few that are have been very well decorated.

This is the entrance hall...

In the first room

This 'tree' is in the library and is made up of, what else?, books!

Siena Palio Trial Day - The Race

Lots of track sweeping which took quite a while to do the whole course

Some 'important' people parading

If you're in the middle of the track - you're stuck with no facilities at all

Horses parading

The race! Then it's all over...after three laps

 

Siena Palio Trial Day

Lots of stalls selling flags of the different contradas (districts)

Children arrive early to take their places

There are several 'trial' days where the jockeys pick the horse they will ride on the final big day

 Packed crowds even for the trials

Vignamaggio

Trip to a villa and winery

Nice place mats!

Good views from here

This villa was where they filmed Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson

Back to Siena

Piazza Del Campo

Siena Cathedral

Just one of many statues to Romulus and Remus

This time we had come into Siena for an evening concert

Wine Tour

Firstly we went to a very old family run wine producer making Brunello wine

Here's the wine tasting...

The owner enjoys the tastings too!

Then we went to a very modern wine tasting setup which operated on a credit card system.

We didn't pay a we were on an organised tour.

All the wines were kept under gas (Nitrogen?) to keep them fresh

The wines were priced individually for a 'tasting glass' measure