17.09.2018: Parting with Lena + Keith and Burghclere, England

 September 17, 2018

Having breakfast with Lena and Keith this morning before we left, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to ask them about their amazing range they have in their kitchen. There's descriptions under the pictures below!

We were very sad to part with them after they so graciously drove us all the way to Burghclere, where our bed and breakfast is booked. We were hoping to get to go on a tour of Highclere Castle a.k.a. Downton Abbey; unfortunately for us we found out that they are now filming for the Downton Abbey movie and are closed for the season! To say we were disappointed is an understatement. We walked there anyway (down a path that most definitely was also closed for the season, but Case went with the notion that if the gate was unlocked, then we must be allowed in... wrongo) and we got turned away by a very pleasant security guard who steered us towards some nice viewpoints of the castle, although they were from quite a distance.


Our bed and breakfast is at a quaint little spot and we've bonked our heads a few times on the low ceilings (yes me too), but we're hoping to rent a car tomorrow so that we can make up some time and do some travelling before coming back on the 26th when we managed to get tickets for a rare tour of Highclere during their closed season.

This is a Sandyford Range, and all the large houses around this area have them, but more commonly used is a brand called Aga. This one is a cooker, does hot water, and heats the house.

It's made out of solid cast iron, and uses heating oil to fuel it (which is kept in a tank outside of the house).

They used to have one that was wood burning, but it was a lot messier and this one is easier to control the temperature they said!