Bedford and Shuttleworth

Another weekend and another trip away again without Denise. We had this weekend booked before Denise had decided when to go back to NZ so rather than waste it I went on my own. Now I've been to Shuttleworth before when there was an airshow on and didn't quite explore the area properly so this was a chance to do some of the things Denise did while I watched Airplanes fly.  I had more time to do the exhibits in the Shuttleworth collection. Richard Shuttleworth (1909-1940) was a racing motorist, aviator and prolific collector of veteran cars and aircraft. His collection forms the nucleus of the Shuttleworth Collection. Pilot Officer Shuttleworth was killed in an accident, during WW2 whilst flying a Fairey Battle. Shuttleworth participated in his first London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 1928. He often entered more than one car for this event. He participated 1928-1938 except for 1935 where: "R. O. Shuttleworth failed to send in his entry before the closing date but joined up with the others at Westminster Bridge with a Benz. His companion at the wheel was Charles Martin and their hairy goat-skin coats which dated from the same period as the car, were much admired." He won the Brighton Speed Trials on a Bugatti Type 51 in 1934, and again in 1935 on an Alfa-Romeo P3 Tipo B, breaking Sir Malcolm Campbell's course record. His greatest victory came in the Donington Grand Prix in 1935. He won the Mountain Championship at Brooklands later that year. In 1936 he had a bad crash in his Alfa-Romeo at the South African Grand Prix. The injuries suffered caused him to retire from motor racing. He used to fly to France to get parts for his racing Bugatti in his Desoutta 1 and land back at his private airstrip by-passing the customs checks,but they did eventually catch up with him.

I went to the Swiss garden and visited the Birds of Prey centre. I would show you a picture of a hawk landing on my arm but its hard to do those 2 things at once, however it was good to see them in a free type environment.

The eagles look quite a majestic bird even when they are just sitting on there perch.

The swiss garden was a particularly pleasant spot and all the Daffodils were out but nearing there end.

 

The next day I went to Woburn Abbey which has been the family home of the Dukes of Bedford for over 300 years and the current 15th Duke still lives there today. The Abbey was founded in 1145 and remained an Abbey until 1538 when it was dissolved by that man again Henry VIII aand the head monk was executed for treason. The grounds also house a Deer farm and nearby is a Safari park. The tour of the abbey includes 3 floors including the vaults with all the family silver, gold and service settings. the other floors include lots of furnishings from the 18th century and family momentos from 300 years. There is also paintings from Cuyp, Gainsborough, Reynolds and Van Dyck.

After Woburn Abbey I then headed off to the Whipsnade tree cathedral, expecting something special, I was disappointed all it was some trees laid out to form shapes if viewed from above and some hedges that were like a maze, so with that off I headed home.