In sharp contrast to a serious of previously hot days, the day, the forecast predicted that the weather would be stormy. I had decided that I would visit Red House. This house is the only house which William Morris^* owned during his life. I left my B&B hoping that it wouldn't rain at least until noon.
I got on the 10:01 train to Bexleyheath at Victoria station. In the train, when I read a leaflet introducing Red House, I found the description, "Admission by guided tour only. Booking essential".
"Wow! Booking essential?! Does it mean I can't enter inside?"I didn't know what to do. However, I was already on the train, so after thinking a little, I decided to go to Red House. I thought, "Even if I can't enter inside, I can see the house from outside. Moreover, I can see the town of Bexleyheath."

I arrived at Bexleyheath at 10:37. I found a sign telling the direction to Red House. I thought that I wouldn't get lost if I followed the direction given by the signs. Soon, it began to dizzle.
I sighed, "Oh, no! It is sure to be a rainy day." I took an umbrella out of my bag and continued to walk.
At around 11 o'clock, I arrived at Red House. I had thought I probably couldn't see the building. When I entered the garden, some people came out of the building and somebody said, "Will you join tue tour?" I answered, "Actually, I hadn't booked, but I want to join. Can I?"
A woman who seemed to be a guide said, "It is OK."
"Wow! Lucky!!"

I immediately paid the admission fee and joined the 11:00 tour.
The tour started from the garden. When I came out the building, I found out that it had fortunately stopped raining. "How lucky! I am."

^＊William Morris(1834-1896). English poet and designer. He started the Arts and Crafts movement. He created many beautiful books and interiors such as flower-pattened wall paper etc.


Red House was the only house which William Morris created and possessed during his life. The house is constructed from red blick Philip Webb was the architect of Red House. He designed the house considering Morris' thinking : he wanted to make Red House in a medieval style. On the ground floor, there is the entrance hall and the dining room. After going up the stairs to the first floor, there are some bed rooms, the drawing room and Morris' studio. In the garden, we saw a tree which William Morris had planted. In the house, we saw stained-glass drawn by Morris and his friend, Burne-Jones.
In a variety of places, we were able to find a lot of things which Morris had done.
However, it was only for five years (1860-65) that he lived in Red House.
This was because it was an extremely cold in Red House. Moreover, maybe another reason was that a son of Burne-Jones, Morris' partner, suffered from Scarlet fever and his pregnant mother became infected. In the end, the newborn baby unfortunately died 3 weeks after birth.
The guided tour started from the garden and ended in the house. After a detail explaination, the guide asked us, "Does anybody have any questions?"
Then, we moved to the next room The guide showed us some secret small doors which looked like an ordinary wall but it opened. Surprisingly, inside there were some pictures. Everybody said, "Wow!".
In a warm and happy atmosphere, an hour passed so quickly.
　

(2006.8.27)

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