The Wolseley
The Wolseley
Most days I feel that I cannot quite keep up with all the items on my “to do” list. As fast as I cross things off, ten more things arrive. Priorities have to be continually reshuffled and every spare minute has to be utilised. One of the many reasons I prefer going up to London by train rather than car is that I can use the time to go set up my laptop, dingle dongle out through my phone in order to catch up on my emails. I have time not just to reply but to set dates, to say thank you as well as taking the time to read the more "dense" emails and contracts.
This week I found my continuous urge to multi-task almost get the better of me. My cab arrived outside my destination – the Wolseley restaurant in Piccadilly – just as I was trying to post an Instagram story. Midway through sorting out the background music and adding captions, I was also trying to pay and open the cab door at the same time. It was certainly not my most elegant arrival story.
The Wolseley is a high-ceilinged, somewhat theatrical restaurant with great style and service as well as welcoming many well-known people who love to go there. The building was originally designed as a rather grand car showroom with marble pillars and Venetian and Florentine inspired motifs and the restaurant has restored many of these original features.
They kindly found me a table and immediately brought me some delicious and restorative coffee whilst I finished my Instagram project and waited for Enrica Roddolo, a renowned journalist from the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Founded in 1876, this is still the most widely-read daily newspaper in Italy. Deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and political history, it has grown from a local Lombardy based paper to one of the most respected national and international newspapers.
"We take pride in being objective; we take pride in reminding ourselves that you, the public…want to be given exact information; we take pride in maintaining our freedom of judgment, even with our closest friends" (Umberto Torelli Viollier, in the first published issue of the Corriere della Sera, March 5-6, 1876).
The paper has always set out as its mission that it wants to “present quality, responsible, impartial, complete, accurate, fair, and universally comprehensible information every day…..to publish clear analyses, background investigations, pleasant readings, immediate criticism, and stimulating opinions.”
The topic of the impartiality in the news, whether in print or on screen, is probably debated in every country in the world with greater or less frequency. Perhaps it is an impossible objective but to my mind that makes the debate all the more important. Most of us would prefer to make up our own minds – and be given the facts rather than someone else’s bias or prejudice.
This is not a new debate. Arguably Jane Austen’s most famous novel is called "Pride and Prejudice" and is all about incorrect impressions and undue influences, nearly ruining the lives of the protagonists. It has a happy ending, thank goodness, where actions sweep prejudice away.
In terms of Corriere della Sera, Highclere is just a small part of the “pleasant readings” section but in a world full of challenging news, a few moments to relax and change pace is always welcome. As part of the article, we are offering a chance to visit Highclere – the paper organises a number of special trips for its readers which I always find interesting. Meeting people who visit as the result of a magazine or press article always offers insights as to what has resonated with them and therefore what we can do to make our experiences more attractive. In turn, I was delighted to share the news that we have found a distributor in Milan for Highclere Castle Gin where it is proving very popular, giving Geordie and myself a lovely excuse to visit a great city.
I think I left the Wolseley slightly more together than when I arrived but inevitably, I had got carried away and was slightly late for my next meeting and so my day continued.
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47 Comments
Love your blog! You are always so positive and entertaining, as well as informative‼️
Dear Lady Carnarvon: In these days of dire news, it is so nice to open my email on a Monday morning and start the week with the "pleasant readings" of your Highclere Castle blog. It is always full of interesting information and beautiful pictures of the castle and grounds. I have visited Highclere with my cousin and hope to visit again soon.
Thank you
Lorraine Shaw
Dundas, Ontario, Canada
Congratulations on finding a distributor for Highclere Castle gin in Milan! I certainly enjoyed my White Lady onboard the Viking Mars in April. I will look for Wolsey Restaurant when I’m in London in September. Much luck to you in Milan!
Old cars,
As a young man my first car was a Jaguar E Type.Not enough room for more than two men and women.So got American Ford.Faster in gear one.
Then when I moved to Kew a Wolsley 1800 with a lovely mahogany
dashboard..
Then Humber.Then Citroen DS.Last journey broke down on Westminster Bridge.I have always CAREd about cars.
First time I did 100 miles an hour was when my uncle Ernie told me to press my foot on the accelerator of the Cadillac he was driving on Ilkley Moor.
He had sole right to import Cadillacs after Ww2.
So enjoyed your blog today. We are going to be at Wolseley in September as well as Highclere. I have never been to the Wolseley so the picture
Was wonderful to see what to expect.
The last Monday blog was so interesting to my husband and me , as we have an English hay barn and granary here in Virginia that we had disassembled and reconstructed as our country home. Not as old as yours, ours is 1780 , but so similiar looking. Is your barn available to see when we visit Highclere September 12th.
Always look forward to when my phone dings and your blog has come in.
Carol Lynn Forman
Dear Lady C, This blog entry brightened up my day. What you do is so relatable. Thank you so so much for writing these every week! According to what I see in you instagram reels, you seem quite tall. How tall are you?
I implemented special tree plantings.one for Emperor Hirohito at Kew Gardens
Single plantings of oaks connecting with Winston Churchill.One at Blend in Palace.One for him a Cigar Tree at Mottisfont Abbey.Two, tryst, plantings one for Quuen and one for Duke at Bere Mill, Whitchurch.Trysts for Lord Denning and his wife Joan at The Lawn.
32 pairs of Birches for Whitchurch men lost in world war one.
Highclere special planting ?
Graham Dip Hort Kew.Whitchurch resident.
Lovely the pictures of the Wolsey and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lam fan of Downton Abbey and lovely highcelere castle
The Wolseley is one of my favourite haunts while in London. Good food coupled with great service — never disappoints. Being from Toronto, have you had any luck with our LCBO in getting Highclerc Gin into their stores? Would be an excellent addition, especially for all the G&T drinkers.
Bravo to share the light and art of living of Highclere with the beauty of Milano.
Lady Carnarvon,
Multitasking can have its moments, indeed! My Monday morning Highclere Castle read is a pleasant task. If something interrupts the heat of my coffee as I read, I fume a bit! I love my online newspapers and regret that many are becoming smaller and duplicating so much of what we’ve seen the day before. So happy that your gin is becoming known in other countries! You and Geordie now have good excuses to travel more!
Martha G
Thank you Mary
Dear Lady C, I was so happy when I saw you have a new blog entry. It was lovely that you reposted a photo of the Princess of Wales on your Instagram. Have you met Princess Charlotte or Prince George?
Thank you Bobbi, I don't believe we are in LCBO as yet. We'd naturally love to be though.
Best wishes
Lady Carnarvon
Another very interesting read thank you ,Highclere Gin sounds exciting !!!!
Thank you for another pleasant read today. You were definitely multicoloured while multitasking! What a lovely dress and a great photo of the you and Enrica.
Interesting and lovely Blog again today Lady Carnarvon especially to hear how you do work to get through your daily/weekly/monthly To Do Lists. as guessing they are always so long given all you are responsible for there at lovley Highclere Castle itself and including multiple performances, events & fundraisers there and even for keeping up to date with your families we are all impressed that you are able to keep up with and develop interesting weekly Blogs.
Good luck with finally having delicious Highclere Gin in Italy and when you do head to Milan hope you may meet and hear one of Italy's best singer entertainers who lives there and is a favorite of mine and a Honor Singer to Andrea Bocelli: Andrea Del Principe. Do enjoy your trip and time there!
Never, EVER retire ! I have done so at the age of almost 81, and now find my diary is fuller than ever .... all those things I planned to do when I retired .... gone and undone for lack of time to do them !
Stay busy ... it's good for you !
Carol, I have eaten at The Wolseley and it was wonderful food. Hope you enjoy it.
best wishes from Jackie..
Thank you for a wonderful blog about your life.
Lady Carnarvon,
Your statement, “Most of us would prefer to make up our own minds – and be given the facts rather than someone else’s bias or prejudice” resonates strongly with me. Thank you. I think it is important for everyone to inform themselves by watching video of events, to hear for one’s self what happened, and what was said, instead of listening to pundits spin what was said. I applaud Corriere della Sera for their commitment to objectivity.
Loved your comment on going "up to London" - - since I wonder how that saying came to be.
My "To-Do" gets crossed off and added to on a clipboard.
You are right...not easy for multi-taskers with too much going on!
THANK YOU FOR A GOOD READ .
I LOVE the Wolseley!
A couple years ago while in London, my daughter and I stumbled upon it for breakfast. It was delightful. It felt very posh sitting in amongst the marble pillars and amazing tiles. And to realise it was a car dealership so long ago.
Ann Bayfield
British Columbia
Canada
I am sorry about your arrival in London. They were kind in bringing you coffee, but it is rather a shock. I did the same thing in the Underground yeas ago (not on electronics then! ) but a potentially important 'date' went from bad to worse, actually a blessing in disguise! I hope you are recovered. I have been following a lady who has a "chateau" vlog and I am horrified at the comments that range from the grovelling to the extremely rude and personal remarks. I hope you are protected from such things. Please know that I enjoy your blog and it brings memories from home. It is very precious to me. thank you!
Thank you for our kind words.
Best wishes
Lady Carnarvon
Thank you for yet another fabulous morning read. The Wolseley sounds a fabulous place and one I must visit next time I come to the UK. It sounds just like my kind of atmosphere too and I’l love to pause there and soak up the history.
Pride & Prejudice is a favourite of mine and the movie with Colin Firth was so good to watch. Mind you Downton Abbey has dropped it down my favourite list. We’re eagerly awaiting the new movie.
Milan is a city I have on my “to see list” and I’m glad your delicious gin is selling well there. It has always been a city of excellent taste.
Thank you again for my Tuesday morning read in a rather foggy Auckland City.
Thank you -
Rather fun!
Too little crossed off on mine!!
I found that so interesting - nothing changes
Very good point
I love his voice and music
Thank you so much
I think time out is key - we all do better when then returning to the fray
Amazing! I hope to see Highclere gin when I go to Spain in the future!
Still to this day my fav car ever was a Wolseley! I also remember that shiny real wood dash in the 70’s!!
Lovely reading as usual.
Congratulations on the new Highclere Gin outlet!
I was lucky enough to visit Highclere a couple of weeks ago and to sample the Gin and Limoncello cocktail. Delicious and quite potent!
Your home is delightful, thank you for sharing it with the world!
Thank you - yes it is quite fun!
Lovely to see this! Congratulations on getting Highclere Gin outside of the UK! Your gin is lovely. I love the colour of the bottle. I wish that it could be available in Waitrose or Aldi some day. Are you planning on bringing it there in the future?
It is in local waitrose! and on line in waitrose
Lovely blog as always. I am a bit late reading this one as I have been busy with the grandchildren these past few weeks. I can relate to multitasking, rushing around trying to finish tasks, and arriving late to the next appointment! A Highclere G & T sounds good for cocktail hour here in the Midwest USA. Is Highclere gin available in the states?
Katie Beeh
I love reading your blog. You are an incredible writer. I also find myself overdoing things but manage to find the brake. I would be sad if our opinions were ever silenced. We would have no stimulating conversations and boredom doesn't appeal to me. In a world full of turmoil (I'm in America) you are a beautiful soul. Congratulations on your gin.
Enjoyed reading about what you are doing —— It is always interesting to me.
My husband and I enjoy visiting London and Italy. We live in the USA but appreciate the Old World culture and history. I hope to get to Milan sometime soon. I am watching the tv series now called Paradiso.
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's blog and the great pictures accompanying it.
Your stories are always educational, entertaining, and informative.
Good luck with the new Gin distributor in Milan.
Until next week, I wish you a quiet moment.
Perpetua Crawford
You are amazing. You radiate JOY.