Killerton and Exeter

Once again, we piled onto the coach for another outing. This time it was to another outing to another National Trust property, Killerton, a most beautiful house set in acress of parkland, with sheep and cows wandering about freely, leaving friendly little deposits on the pathway!

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-killerton/

We met with Charlotte, on the the curatorial staff, who talked to us briefly, before letting us loose to look round the house at our leisure. (I sneaked off to beg Charlotte for a few hooks and eyes which had mysteriously remained on my sewing table, and caught a glimpse of a couple of garments lying in the room waiting for attention!)

 The costume exhibition was excellent, even the Fortuny gowns, one of which I really liked. I have to confess that I never really liked, or understood why "everyone" liked Fortuny, until I saw an exhibition at the Museo del Traje in Madrid, and suddenly the light dawned! The grey dress above is a simpler version of a two piece gown there, in crimson, and I really really fell in love with that. I might, repeat might, make a copy one day - the stash is waiting!

As for the Delphos gown pictured above, well I understand how clever it is, but wouldn't it just cling to every lump and bump, and I have way too many of those!

Eventually we stopped for lunch, although once again I sneaked away, to go to the shop. Miss Elizabeth and I found a gentleman driving a golf buggy between the house and the shop, and took advantage, saving me a walk uphill! I found the prettiedt lavender scarf, half price because of a flaw and snapped it up instantly, copied, I was happy to note later, by someone else!

Arriving in Exeter, we didn't realise that another hike, this time to the museum, was involved, and unfortunately, found ourselves meeting the curator, Shelley, rather later than planned. This meant that our time there was much limited, but were able to admire the shoes, bonnet and Worth robe she had out for us, and she kindly allowed us a little extra time to gaze in awe at some of the clothes in store, including a seventies dress of which I have an identical copy, still in my wardrobe  - sssh!