The final day

Thursday October 6th......
It is always with some sadness that the final day of the Morris tour comes and even more so this year as it is the last tour that I will be doing. So many serendipitous moments have happened along the journey and this day was no exception as it was actually the very day that William Morris was buried 120 years ago......so it was very fitting to say goodbye to William and also to the Morris tours. Helen has also decided this was a fitting end but we all know she will continue with other tours and I am sure William and May Morris will turn up again! This day of the tour is also my most favourite as we visit Kelmscott Manor - the place that Morris was happiest and the place he called "heaven on earth".....and extra special this year to have friends from home with us to share it all too......

 A quick stop for a cuppa and chat and then it was time to view the manor and joy of joys and on my final visit we could take photos inside!........

 It was also very special to view the latest acquisition to the manor - a cot quilt that May Morris designed and embroidered seen her on her mother Jane's bed. It is always difficult getting good images inside without flash so you can see more at this link HERE

 It is always special to see William Morris's medieval bed and the embroidered hangings and bed cover.....

 The embroidery that William Morris stitched after unpicking an old piece and teaching himself......

 The tricky staircase.......

 And I finally have a photo of the coasters that May Morris stitched and sold to raise funds to build a Memorial Hall in memory of her father..........

 Several rooms in the house are draped in fabric, some very faded but we did see an original piece revealed in a  drawer........

 ahhh......the coat that Morris wore.......

 An enjoyable stroll through the village at Kelmscott where we pass the memorial cottages that May Morris commissioned Philip Webb to design in memory of her father and the sculpture completed by George Jack........

 and then past the Morris Memorial Hall where we would return for a surprise.......

 A final goodbye at St George's church...........

These scenes revealed on the walls date back to 1280......

 When we returned to the hall we had no idea what was waiting for us inside. The volunteers who keep the hall going had set up an afternoon tea especially for us and using the table covers stitched by the Kelmscott ladies many, many years ago........

 Helen has a way of bringing one to tears and also for leaving one lost for words....this time in the form of a significant donation she has made where my name will be recorded forever at Kelmscott ....how can one thank someone for something so precious? Funds are being raised and you can see more about it all at the William Morris Memorial Hall website and especially their Facebook page HERE....

It was great to read the news clippings when the hall was opened all those years ago........

 May and her father William looked down on us all and I am sure they were pleased......

What an incredible journey it has been along with my best friend Larry. I will post one last reflection of it all later this evening after catching up with the family