A Royal Invitation

 Governor's Palace - A Guided Tour: 19 July 10

By now you are probably fed up with our historical posts, but we’ll finish on a high with the Governor’s Palace (and a few bits of Colonial Williamsburg fabric too).  We had walked to the Palace via the old plantation to be on the first tour of the day.  We were lucky to be let in, so the parlour maid told us, as everyone was busy preparing for a ball that evening.  But as we were special guests, she would show us around so that we would know what to do when arriving for the ball later that evening. 

Fancy Ballroom with very vivid Carpet

First however, lessons in a proper curtsey – just in case his Lordship happened upon us while we were in the house.  Apparently the house had been recently renovated by the new curator for Colonial Williamsburg.  He had asked that the Palace be more in keeping with the era.  Some approved, others did not!  Either way, it was absolutely stunning and the ballroom most impressive.

Her Ladyship's Bed Chamber

And Stately Grounds

The grounds were equally as inspiring.  We missed getting back to the kitchen where cooks were busy preparing for the evening’s feast or perhaps seeing musicians rehearsing for dancing.  We had to tear ourselves away, wishing just one or two hours more, to return our hire car on time and get back to the daily grind.  Just enough time to dash off and buy a few more fat 1/4’s. 

His Lordship's Collection

Meanwhile back at the Yard, the Opti kids had not destroyed too much of the marina and opti-mism was (up more or less) as was the temperature & humidity – still high 90’s to low 100’s.  Somehow we couldn’t even get up the enthusiasm to go to the Maritime Museum’s monthly music fest – Jumbo Lump Daddy and the Backfin Boys (I kid you not) were the feature act. Damn, now how lazy is that!