In Search of Lady Chatterley's Lover

I'm sure you expected me to blog about my lifelong search for Mr. Darcy, but I've given up on that daydream. In my many years here, I've come across various barons, counts and lords of the manor (you can actually buy a title these days like you can buy a vanity plate for your car) and no one comes close to Colin Firth (in my opinion, the BBC mini-series beats all adaptations in film or television). I don't usually give up on anything but there is absolutely no hope for this one.


I recently went on a day trip to the English countryside...I try never to pass up any opportunity to visit the English countryside as I find it so beautiful and calming and rooted in tradition and history which is such a refreshing break from our fast-paced modern lifestyles. A small group of us rode up to Cambridgeshire to see a family's estate and collection of art from the 17th to the 19th century. 


We met Sir William who toured us around his home; he was very informative and engaging and funny but like I said, no hope for this dreamer. After a relaxing lunch, we were to be treated to a tour of their private gardens. It was a lovely day.

While strolling in the gardens, I couldn't help recall the story of Lady Chatterley in the classic and controversial novel by D.H. Lawrence and the film from the early '80's starring Nicholas Clay as the brutish yet sexy gamekeeper. I was very young when I saw the film and it obviously had quite an impact on me as I remember it now many years later. Nicholas Clay was also in the unforgettable film Excalibur where he played a dashing Lancelot. Love all things medieval especially knights in shining armour storming castles. I was curious to find out what happened to him as I try to see all of my favourite British actors here onstage and sadly, I read that he's no longer with us. 

We met up with the gardener in the afternoon and he led us around the beautiful private grounds....a very nice man, but alas, neither brutish nor dashing. So, my search continues.... but I doubt anyone will come close to Sir Lancelot.