We had to wait a little while in a queue to get special tickets in order to go into the  ‘Very Victorian Christmas’ event happening inside the big house at Tyntesfield. The weather was very damp and misty, which tends to mess up my fur a little. I posed for a selfie outside the splendid gothic mansion.   The carriage rides looked like fun, but unfortunately were all booked up.The driver did have room for a small bear up front, but I couldn’t leave my humans behind so climbed down again to be with them.Lots of the trees around the estate were decorated in red ribbons. There was another queue to get into the house, but we fortunately we didn’t have to wait long. In the entrance hall the footman explained ‘the rules of the house’ to me. I had a chat with Mr Loxley next to a splendid Christmas tree.In another room there was a Christmas tree festooned in crocheted decorations made by volunteers.  It was very pretty.  I had a chat to a lady who was an author, though I have forgotten her name (do message me if you know).   Unfortunately the present that I had my eye on in the gold box wasn’t for me.Some house maids were helping children  make jingly fan decorations.  I was going to make one too but then heard someone start playing the piano in the room along the corridor.  People were singing Christmas carols and being a bear that enjoys singing I stopped to join in.Mr & Mrs Gibbs, the owners of the house were dancing.  (Unfortunately the photo is rather blurred, which might be because they were dancing very fast, or more likely my human needs a better camera).After the dancing had finished I had a good chat with Mr Gibbs.There was a Christmas stocking filled with mysterious items in the children’s room.  In another room someone was still busy wrapping presents.The Gibbs family had their own little church next to the house.  The vicar read a little from his book to me but I must admit I was somewhat confused.  I don’t think he was used to having conversations with bears.Before setting off back home some refreshments were required.  Bears like hot chocolate especially with marshmallows and cream on the top!I have visited Tyntesfield a few times but have not been at Christmas time before.  The experience made me feel very festive.

(Apologies for the poor quality of some of my photos; using a flash is not allowed inside NT properties as the light can damage old furnishings, and my human’s camera does not work well in low light.  She is currently looking into getting a better camera)

A couple of years ago I blogged about Tyntesfield pumpkins & squashes: https://horacethealresfordbear.com/2016/01/05/pumpkins-squashes

For more information about Tyntesfield see: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield

Horace the Alresford Bear 23/12/18