Day 5 - Chartwell

Sir Winston Churchill was born in Blenheim Palace but as a descendant of the third Duke's son, he had no right to title or possession. He always denied a title from the Queen as a reward for his political career. At a later age, he agreed to accept the lowest title of Sir. Prior to becoming Prime Minister at his 64th, he had already a long and volatile career in which he changed twice from political party. In 1901 he was first elected in the House of Commons and was appointed in 1910 Minister of the Interior. As Minister of Navy and as Minister of Munitions, he was involved in the First World War. Not only as a minister but also as a soldier. In 1916 he spent 6 months at Ploegsteert in Flanders Fields. Later he became Minister of Finance. When on 1 September, 1939 the war broke out which Chamberlain wanted to prevent, he was appointed Minister of Navy. When Chamberlain resigned as  Prime Minister after a disastrous defeat in Norway on May 10, 1940, when the Germans at the Western Front began to emerge, he was succeeded by Churchill. Churchill's speeches were an inspiration for the British people. His famous speech ‘I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat’ (May 13, 1940), was his first speech as Prime Minister. His beautiful estate Chartwell in Kent, with a magnificent view of the surrounding area, is the one we visit this morning.

It is here that he prepared his confrontation with Hitler. The house has been preserved as in the time the Churchill's were living here, furniture and books included. It is decorated as a museum with also a number of paintings of his hand and the gifts, important letters, honors and memories that Churchill has kept. It is on this estate that Winston Churchill was always busy: writing his memoires and historical books, painting, preparing military campaigns, consulting with politicians and others. Churchill's bedroom is located behind the study room and is one of the smallest in the house. Early in the morning, from his bed, he ruled the country, with a whiskey and a cigar at his fingertips. In 1953 he received the Nobel Prize. Not for peace as you might think, but for literature, for his history of the Second World War.

Just before the Battle of England, he spoke these legendary words to the British people: “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender”.

We will remind him mostly for his motivational speeches and glorious one-liners.

In 1955, Churchill resigned at the occasion of his 80th birthday and left the premiership to Anthony Eden. In 1959 he inherited the title of Father of the House as longest-serving MP since 1924. He would remain this until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1964.

Now this is not the end

It is not even the beginning of the end

But it is perhaps the end of the beginning

But for us, this visit to Chartwell is the beginning of the end, the end of our short trip to the heart of England, the romantic heart with the honeycomb cottages. Yes, I would rather have a cottage here. A charming honeycomb cottage with thatched roof surrounded by a white fence and a rose garden. In the summer fresh lemonade in the garden. In the winter 'tea' at the fireplace. I find the English countryside the most idyllic. Hiking on the hilly roads, followed by a group of dogs, stopping  for a chat with the neighbors. Or galloping on horseback crossing the countryside with a picnic basket ready.. I could easily live in the cozy Cotswolds.