The Marlborough Man
“A love for tradition has never weakened a nation; indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril.”~Winston Churchill
Today, a group of students visited the birthplace and gravesite of Britain’s greatest Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
I decided to ride a bike and save money rather than take the bus. Also, it was a great day for outdoor riding. Eight miles of riding and two sweaty armpits later, I arrived at the palace and spent a few relaxing hours touring the grounds.
Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Churchill and has belonged to his family for several hundred years. The Palace itself is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England which is due north (I think. Possibly northeast?) of the city of Oxford. Though tourists were not allowed inside the palace (at least not today), this has been one of the highlights of my trip thus far. The palace sits on acres of open land surrounding a breathtaking lake.
I learned a little bit of history and found out that the palace was built by the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough in the early 18th century. The first Duke of Marlborough was apparently a war hero back in those days, and the palace was basically built as a gift for his military victories. It’s been held by the family since then and was the birthplace of little Winston (not to be confused with Winston the puppy).
Not far from Blenheim Palace is the town of Bladon where you can find the Parish Church of St. Martin where Winston Churchill is buried.
“I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.
At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, 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, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”~Winston Churchill
Today, a group of students visited the birthplace and gravesite of Britain’s greatest Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.
I decided to ride a bike and save money rather than take the bus. Also, it was a great day for outdoor riding. Eight miles of riding and two sweaty armpits later, I arrived at the palace and spent a few relaxing hours touring the grounds.
Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Churchill and has belonged to his family for several hundred years. The Palace itself is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England which is due north (I think. Possibly northeast?) of the city of Oxford. Though tourists were not allowed inside the palace (at least not today), this has been one of the highlights of my trip thus far. The palace sits on acres of open land surrounding a breathtaking lake.
I learned a little bit of history and found out that the palace was built by the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough in the early 18th century. The first Duke of Marlborough was apparently a war hero back in those days, and the palace was basically built as a gift for his military victories. It’s been held by the family since then and was the birthplace of little Winston (not to be confused with Winston the puppy).
Not far from Blenheim Palace is the town of Bladon where you can find the Parish Church of St. Martin where Winston Churchill is buried.
“I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.
At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, 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, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”~Winston Churchill
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P.S. In case any of you were thinking to yourself--"Wow, Eric looks really attractive as of late."
Well, then you can thank me because I gave myself my first haircut. Being away from both Thomas and my stylist, Veronica, has left me to fend for myself. That and the fact that a haircut would cost me about 30 US dollars. I am awesome.
eric, your hair does look particularly awesome, good job.
there was a dance in west hall tonight, katie, kindra and i rocked out.
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