Lunch at the palace next door

"Oh La Di Dah" I said to Robbie, "let's go to the palace for lunch!"So we jumped into the TVR and roared off down the road for the last day Blenheim is open this year.Don't be impressed guys. Season passes are pretty cheap and the palace is only about 12 miles down the road, and so coming to Blenheim is like going to a local park around here.But Blenheim is a beautiful park actually, and although the palace is closed now for the season, the grounds and coffee shop are still open.So thru the gates and into the courtyard. I was a little disappointing we weren't allowed into the palace grounds and gardens. Next year.For some reason, the cafe was kiddie central and so we found a table in the orangerie, which was completely screaming child free.And after lunch, Robbie relaxed while I did a little tour of the palace gift shop.Oh my goodness guys, everywhere I look there's something I want to buy!The gift shop is kitted out with all sorts of vintage inspired and traditional English things.Here's the stuff I wanted:The kitchen goods are branded with a brilliant "Under the Stairs" label and hint at maid this and butler that. It's brilliant. And also very good quality; like these Irish linen tea towels, small brushes and traditional wooden clothes pegs.How about these tin sugar shakers?I really wanted these beautiful measuring spoons and spoon rest. It really took a lot of effort not to buy them, but then the £17 and £10 price tags helped me decide not to!These hot water/hot chocolate jugs!This quill and various coloured inks set! Alas £40! That's a whopping $80!So I resisted all these beautiful but totally unnecessary goodies, and, as the sun was setting (at 1:30pm!!!) and lunch was over, we walked thru the courtyard...And thru the park, and hooned back home.I'll show you what I did buy though:A bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for Christmas, a bottle of Churchill's special port, and some of the butler's mulling syrup for the next glazed ham or pork roast. :D