Heavy Lifting

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62 Comments
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Your trip was extraordinary and thank you for sharing the beautiful photographs. The history is truly humbling. I look forward to your new book…facts, insights and reflections from the family connection with that stunning piece of history. I so enjoyed marveling at the Egyptian Exhibit at Highclere. To see it in real life, well…memories for a lifetime.
Thank you!
Best regards,
Charlotte Merriam Cole
Wow, very interesting. Thank you for stepping outside your world of Highclere for a great history lesson. Very enjoyable.
Maggie G.
Thank you for reminding me of my visit to Egypt in 2002. We had a fascinating Nile cruise on MSAtlas and a wonderful guide, Henni. I couldn't comprehend how all that treasure could get into Tutankhamens tomb!
Thank you to the 5th Earl for funding the dig and sharing the wonders of an amazing country and civilisation.
I have been to both Egypt and Israel and they both were amazing. But Egypt just kind of made you wonder how they did these magnificent things. It is truly truly a magical place.
Greetings Lady Carnarvon,
Yes, so much of the pyramids, temples, Sphinx and obelisks of Egypt are jaw dropping especially when we have a chance to see them in person! As old as they are you are correct is wondering how way back then they were built and even the blocks of stone? Your theory sounds reasonable about getting the blocks to the sites, given how the Nile was back then. But what a mystery it has always been. Certainly makes us appreciate living during our times of heavy equipment vehicles that assist us in building!
Hope your recent trip there and back went safely and well. Looks like the weather was lovely.
Thank you for sharing those photos and your Monday Blog again!
One of the most wonderful places I have been lucky enough to visit. And that walk inside to the central chamber is the thing I tell people about. Unless you do it, you can't quite understand the awe and feelings generated. Like being at the very center of the Earth. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!
I agree it is a magical place to visit
How I wish the desert surrounding the pyramids was still as it was in your pictures. A place of quiet repose for those that were buried there, far from the madding crowd. It is about 45 years since I visited Giza and the changes keep encroaching year after year. Progress is necessary but not always welcome.
It certainly does make you appreciate technology!
Lady Carnarvon, you are so right. The grandeur and history of the ancient sites in Egypt are awe-inspiring. From the Pyramids to Luxor, The Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel. I also climbed deep inside one of the pyramids to reach the resting place of the pharaoh. The paintings inside the tombs at the Valley of the Kings are amazing and if not for the efforts of the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon along with Howard Carter we may have never seen the beautiful and wonderful artifacts from King Tut's tomb. Seeing the Egyptian artifacts displayed at Highclere when I was there in 2019 brought back so many happy memories of my visit to Egypt in 1993.
Diane Williamson
What a magical trip. thank for your insite.
fondly Jenny
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's blog, and for sharing your experience and stunning photographs from your travels to Egypt. What an amazing adventure and memory for you!
When I read the paragraph regarding the quarrying and construction of the Obelisks, I thought about how we use "fracking" today to extract oil from the ground to eventually process it to be used for gasoline.
Until next week, may you enjoy your week.
Perpetua Crawford
P.S. I viewed all your postings on both Facebook and Instagram while you were on the Viking cruise. Fantastic! Thank you for sharing.
Talking about Egypt brought back memories our visit to the pyramids when I rode a camel near by and then descended into the shaft into the burial chamber, I was surprised at how large that room actually was! Later, we visited Karnak, another awe inspiring site, the carvings on the pillars seemed to be freshly cut and not made hundreds of years before. A trip to see these monuments should be on everyone’s “Bucket List”.
Carolyn Dear
Canada
Did you see the Gal Gadot movie Death on the Nile? A popular theory is that ETs taught them how to build the pyramids or built them. Very unlikely. They are on my bucket list to visit some day.
Such a fantastic history imbedded in the great times of Highclere. I am in awe of these mysteries. Having been to Egypt and having seen these wonders I am thrilled again with the memories. Thank you for sharing this family saga.
Thank you!
The trip is definitely worth while - I agree it should be on everyone's bucket list!
I was so excited to open up this email and see the amazing pyramids. I am heading there in 2 months from the states!! Fingers crossed BA does not cancel my flights thru London!!!
This has always been on my bucket list so I was determined to book it this year!!
Thank you for your beautiful pictures and your amazing insight into this marvelous and mysterious land!!!
I made it to your lovely home 3 years ago, and now the pyramids this year, who could ask for more!!!
Enjoy your trip to the pyramids
Dear Lady Carnarvon
Thank you so much for taking us on a trip to Egypt via your beautiful photographs. The scenery is stunning as are the pyramids. It is amazing what people can accomplish when they work together. I truly enjoy your posts when they appear—they are a breath of fresh air. Thanks again.
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of heavy lifting and did you and lord Carnarvon have a nice bank holiday weekend and l am a fan of Downton abbey and lovely to visit highcelere castle thank you for the email you sent me it very kind of you
Great history! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you again for your lovely comments. I did not get to visit the Egyptian collection when we visited Highclere in 2016, but I did buy a Bastet replica in the shop. Your article is especially relevant now that international travel is opening up. We just returned to the Iowa, in the central US, from 11 days in Scotland and England, and alas, no Highclere, but did get to visit Buckingham Palace. I especially appreciate this post as we are heading to Egypt in October and are very much looking forward to seeing the Great Pyramid of Giza and cruising the Nile for four days. We have visited the UK and a few other countries in Europe in the past, but this trip, though exciting, is also a little intimidating as it is well out of our comfort zone. However, the desire to get to see some of the wonders you described has won out and I am sure it will be an inspiring journey, (along with the opportunity to buy lots of cool stuff, as was the shop at Buckingham Palace especially during Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee for an American Royal fan). Thank you for your insights,
A Downton Abbey 's Egyptian quote : " Daisy, what's happened to you? I said you could go for a drink of water, not a trip up the Nile!" ( Mrs Patmore to Daisy, Series 1 Episode 3) Have a nice new week !
Ja Lady Carnarvon ik heb de piramide van Gizeh ook bezocht.Ik ben een liefhebber van de Egyptische geschiedenis.De piramide's maakte op mij een verpletterende indruk op mij.Ze lijken wel buitenaards...
I was introduced to Tutankhamen through an excellent book published in 1963 by the New York Graphic Society. The book was dedicated to both Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter.
I have added to my library a number of books on Tutankhamen. The Metropolitan Museum of Art had an excellent exhibit sponsored by the Egyptian Government and it afforded me the opportunity to see some of the great works which came from the excavation including the famous Death Mask.
I look forward to your book honoring the 100th anniversary of the initial Excavation.
Very good!
It sounds a wonderful Egypt trip !
Thank you so much
Very human and on a quest for hope...
I need to update it a little and am thinking!!!
There is no where like Egypt
It was still lovely to be back
Nor is it quite so hot here!
Humans can achieve so much but at a cost
Very kind of you
I am Jewish and I am extremely unhappy about how you extolled the virtues of the building of the Giza pyramid. It was built with the blood, sweat and tears of my Hebrew ancestors. Watch the film The Ten Commandments to see the true story of how the Egyptian pyramids were built. Then see if it is something of which to be proud!
MINHA QUERIDA LADY CARNARVON,
BOA TARDE DO BRASIL.
ESTOU MUITO FELIZ, POIS ACABEI DE COMPRAR, PELA AMAZON, SEU NOVO LIVRO , " O CONDE E O FARAÓ", QUE ME SERÁ ENTREGUE NO FINAL DE OUTUBRO, ESTOU MUITO, MUITO FELIZ POR SABER QUE MILADY ESCREVEU UM LIVRO SOBRE UMA PESSOA QUE ADMIRO DEMAIS. INCLUSIVE O 5° CONDE NASCEU NA VESPERA DO MEU ANIVERSÁRIO,SOMOS DO MESMO SIGNO DO ZODÍACO, CANCER E COMO ELE ADORO VIAJAR É AMO ARQUEOLOGIA .MUITO OBRIGADA, DESDE JÁ AGRADEÇO PELA SUA ATENÇÃO E CARINHO POR TER ESCRITO ESSE LIVRO,QUE LEREI COM MUITO PRAZER, O EGITO SEMPRE ME FASCINOU, COMO AO 5°CONDE DE CARNARVON, DESCULPE-ME POR ESCREVER EM PORTUGUÊS.
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO - SP
BRASIL
The tall obelisk in one of your pictures reminds me of America’s Washington Memorial. One assumes, without the elevator, terrifying stairs and observation windows.
Very interesting as always. The Egyptian pyramids are mysterious and confounding, but real hope (eternally speaking)comes from Israel, where there are many ongoing archeological excavations.
Thank you, thank you, thank you….this was an informative and enlightening bit of history that i have long to hear…especially with all of the talk about humans couldn’t have done it. I have always believed that the reasons that some people believe this theory is because they just can’t imagine that humans could do anything without the modern tools. Too many have forgotten what shear determination and imagination can do when it is the only option.
Thank you so much for this! I found it extremely interesting and will share with numerous friends. I was also quite taken with your stunning photography. You have quite a “good eye.”
God or Cupid or Fate certainly put you in the right place at the right time to become the seventh Earl’s wife.
Surely he knows how fortunate he is to have such a creative wife, who can help with the family business, and to chronicle and photograph everything associated with High Clere.
Wishing you a happy week — with pockets of time to relax.
Bon in Bama.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
The ancient pyramid and all the ancient Egyptian structures are awe inspiring. I am fascinated by the cleverness and abilities of the people to create and build such structures. I never quite realized the part the River Nile played until your blog.
Thank you,
Pam
I knew you were going to Egypt and was anticipating this entry! Your pictures and descriptions are making me so excited for our cruise on Viking Osiris in November! Congratulations to Lord Carnarvon as he’s Viking’s first Godfather! I look forward to taking a picture next to his picture and yours on the Viking Mars in 2024. It must have been surreal for Lord Carnarvon to visit places his great-grandfather walked and worked. Thank you for making my day a lot brighter!
Lady Carnarvon, Egypt is such a magical destination. Thank you for bringing Egypt to all of us. It was so wonderful to see it every day. Cheryl
Thank you. I visited Egypt about 20 years ago and no one explained the possibility of using the Nile I order to move the huge blocks. The Egyptian museum was really in need of restoration at the time, which I think has been completed. Wish they’d put a good digital exhibits and explanation on line. Thanks again. From California
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Wonderful article! Today as I was driving on the Guide Meridian between Washington state and Canada I stopped to take a picture of a King Tut road sign! It is amazing how Howard Carter’s and Lord Carnarvon’s discovery reverberated around the world, even to this quiet outpost. I would love to send the pictures to you but don’t know how to do it.
I have been to the Great Pyramid and climbed up the tunnel to the tomb space. It is very claustrophobic! Also went into King Tut’s tomb and saw Howard Carters home. This was in 1979 during President Carter’s visit so we had access to so many things that I doubt are available anymore.
Salaam Alaikam,
Dianne Jones
thank you yes Salaam Alaikam,
It is only my thought ...
Egypt is special
You will have the most wonderful time - it is a great ship and very nice staff. Viking get so much very right
It is only my thoughts but the Nile is key
Thank you - you are kind and I think I get more used to photography although my efforts are not nearly as good as those of my son
I think we forget what we can do ...
There is much of the past to find - it is then understanding it
You just look from the bottom!
thank you so much for pre-ordering the book The Earl and the Pharaoh. - I start to feel nervous - what will you think?!
Thank you for your comment. Humans have built pyramids, Hadrian's wall in the UK, temples and tombs in China, Cathedrals around the world, castles, palaces, with the hard of work of many men, many who might not have chosen to be there. Forced labour is unacceptable. Noone would say anything else.
in Egyptian texts, there were many references to people from Hatti, Mitani Keftiu, Peleset, LukkiTeresh, Taruisa, Sherden... there was little peace and I would suspect the workforce drawn from different populations. The above "essay" is an observation on some aspects of human yearning.
Thank you for this very interesting piece. There are true wonders of this world.
P.S. DON'T WORRY, MILADY,THE NEW BOOK WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL BEST-SELLER, IT WILL BE TRANSLATED INTO MANY LANGUAGES. GOOD EVENING FROM . BRAZIL.
What a startling realization that everything about this incredible wonder is so thoroughly human. No magic. No aliens. No divine intervention. Just hopes, dreams, aspiration, determination, creativity, sacrifice. So thoroughly human.