{Forty Two Times Around The Sun}

Last weekend I celebrated completing my 42nd time around the sun. Which doesn’t sound much but when you think we’re lucky to perhaps circle the sun maybe 80-odd times it’s quite sobering.

Once I was awake thanks to excited children, I descended the sparkle-strewn stairs and followed the trail into a Happy Birthday banner-bedecked kitchen which was also full of streamers and silly string. It’s sort of a family tradition.

Luckily it was the weekend (which meant Hubby was home) so it did mean a more relaxing and fun day than I might ordinarily have had because we went on a Magical Mystery Tour (well, me and the little ones were the only three kept in the dark).

We caught a ferry to the Isle of Wight. I love that island. It’s been the scene of many a happy holiday. Just standing on the deck, with the wind whistling through your hair makes you feel rejuvinated and relaxed.

This was a lovely day out because I didn’t have to plan any of it. Nope. Not even the picnic. Which was a treat in itself. So where did we go? We visited Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s holiday home at East Cowes.

Oh my! Despite our numerous trips to the IoW we’ve never squeezed a visit here before but it was well worth the wait. Not only did it give a fascinating glimpse into the family life of Victoria, Albert and their nine children but it’s so beautiful.

The original Osborne House was demolished to make way for the Italian style home. The terraces were amazing, with stunning views of the Solent and Spinnaker Tower. Inside, it’s so opulent you have to keep remindng yourself that it was a holiday home. I mean, they even had a room, albeit a small one, just for heating up plates! Imagine.

We saw the bed in which she died, her toilet and bath (plus shower) and laughed at the two tonne billiard table which was built a couple of inches taller so that Victoria, who was very small, didnt have to bend over to play, thereby avoiding showing off her ankles!

We marvelled at a statue placed in the upstairs landing of Albert that Victoria disliked because it showed too much skin (he was dressed as a Roman Emperor). She had another, more demure, one made. As you do.

But one of my favourite parts was Swiss Cottage, a pre-fabricated chalet that Albert had built for the children. Downstairs it housed a housekeeper and gardener plus their children but also a kitchen for the children.

Upstairs was a writing room and sitting room. It was in this small house the children cooked and entertained their parents. Outside they tended a vegetable garden, the produce of which was sold to Albert at the going rate.

It was his idea and a pretty clever one. He wanted the children to learn how to keep house, to cook and garden. He also wanted them to be good at something and according to one of the helpful guides he succeeded. Quite forward thinking of him, I reckon.

But while it was wonderful to marvel at, well, everything (“I absolooootely love this place” declared the six-year-old) it was quite sobering to think that children elsewhere weren’t having fun playing house but shinning up chimneys.

Tomorrow I’ll show you the wonderful gardens.