Yesterday a visit to Chartwell, Churchill’s family home and the place where he wrote many of the powerful and eloquent speeches that truly helped win WWII. Chartwell is phenomenally beautiful, both in terms of location—rolling green and forested hills and a view that stretches for miles—and in the exquisite gardens the Churchill family planted there. Everything about it filled me with so much joy—and I like to think the land itself helped nourish, strengthen and inspire Churchill through dark times. Last Churchill quote you see as you leave the tour of his house: “Go out into the sunlight and be happy with what you see.”

I think the British trees and gardens are the very best part of their cultural heritage. . .OK, along with poets and writers and. . .

Off to Ireland tomorrow. Mucho rain predicted. We’ll see what the gods have in store!