please empty your brain below
... Ironically, I have just got back to my half of the world from Cumberland / Westmoreland and we visited Hilltop, not because we are avid Potter fans, but because it was pissing down and inside opportunities were optimum. We also visited the museum in Hawkshead, which we actually enjoyed more. I can't remember which it was, but in an exhibition case there was a rabbit pelt displayed and my partner said loudly 'I hope that isn't Peter!' to which another tourist (equally loudly) replied 'Nah, its Benjamin'. Turns out it actually was. Beatrix had a habit of dissecting much-loved pets, apparently. We loved the Herdwick sheep. Absolutely gorgeous - and the role that Beatrix played in their preservation was equally fascinating as stories about rabbits in waistcoats.

Antipodean | 01.08.16 - 10:28 a.m. | #

As I understand it, within their religion the Japanese believe everything has a spirit (kami), even inanimate objects like chairs.

So their perception of a place that contains the actual objects that she used will be different to ours.

| 01.08.16 - 12:01 p.m. | #

I wonder how much the house reflects the life of Beatrix Potter beyond her children's books, as these were really just a sideline (albeit a lucrative one!).

She was actually a very accomplished scientist, and her biological illustrations are regarded as technical masterpieces for their detail and accuracy. She was also interested in animal husbandry, farming and conservation, and was very influential in these areas when she bought Hill Top Farm - in particular she influenced the National Trust to buy several sites in her beloved Lake District to conserve them for future generations, before the creation of the National Parks in the post-war years. She is also credited with the survival of the local Herdwick breed of sheep, which had fallen out of favour as its wool was a mix of white, grey and black that was difficult to sort and dye. These days it tends to be bred for its meat.

You could even argue that she was a feminist. She certainly married only in later life and very much on her own terms.

Julian | 01.08.16 - 12:56 p.m. | #

I use Near Sawrey as one of my arguments to elder relatives as why they should never put "Near xxxxxx" in an address. One of them still persists with it.

Pedantic of Purley | 01.08.16 - 1:23 p.m. | #

I've always found Beatrix Potter's tales rather disturbing - look at the callous and offhand way that Jemima Puddle Duck's longed-for unborn children are "collateral damage" in her rescue, for example.

timbo | 01.08.16 - 5:41 p.m. | #

@ Julian - I actually mentioned that to one of the NT staff at Hilltop. I said I was more interested in her conservation activities and other relationships with the landscape. The NT staff member glanced furtively about and hissed under her breath 'I know what you mean, we all think that too, but people just come for the books'. Hilltop was very much about the books. The dreadful 'Beatrix Potter Experience' or whatever it was called in Bowness (must stop calling it Rio) was worse. It was wall-to-wall tourist (we only popped into the gift shop for a particular item) and not just because it was peeing down outside. The museum at Hawkshead was better, but certainly not perfect. It did have some displays of her earlier botanical artwork and other oddities. But I cant help thinking that Beatrix has been undersold...

@timbo - not to mention the mother sow who sells her own naughty and greedy piggy sons to the market for slaughter.

Antipodean | 02.08.16 - 12:05 p.m. | #

.... we enjoyed the Museum of Lakeland Life at Kendal very much, by the way. The displays were fascinating and the roof didn't leak. And Blackwell house was lovely too - and warm and dry ... although we got drenched running to the house from the carpark and I trod in a puddle and had a wet foot at the time.

Antipodean | 02.08.16 - 12:08 p.m. | #

Sorry, I'm catching up on your blog. As a philatelist I feel for your disappointment about the bad cancellation of your PC. Unfortunately there seems to be enormous ignorance amongst Royal Mail's staff. It's quite common for post using 'special' stamps to be delivered either with no cancellation or even worse a biro mark instead. Considering that the marketing part of the organisation is encouraging people to buy stamps for special occasions and anniversaries etc. I'd expect the delivery to be better controlled. They are in danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg, i.e. selling stamps to collectors that may not ever be used. Perhaps that is the plan! Very sad.

Dave | 02.08.16 - 12:11 p.m. | #











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