The National Trust is an excellent scheme for preserving old buildings, and gardens when their present owners have squandered their inheritance. In many situations the old gents, are quite pleased to show you their "treasures" and act as your guide. However, tipping is discouraged, as they tend to spend it on booze.

In the case of Waddesdon Manor the family has been impoverished by alcholism and the price of plonk at the local shop. There is something satisfying in seeing the aristocracy working for tips.

Anyway off to Stowe Landscape Gardens, which were laid out by "Capability" Brown, and our now the grounds of the school that Michael Jackson is sending his son, and where George Melly buggered away his school days. The grounds are about 150 acres, comprising of lakes, grottoes, roman temples, and other follies laid out as a 18th century political satire, a joke which was considered weak at the time and is totally lost nowadays.

Moving further north to Kedleston Hall to view the work of Robert Adams. I quite like Curzon and Adams as they had no hesitation in removing the eyesore of Kedleston Village from the landscape. With the billions that my investment will make perhaps I could have Stoke-on-Trent similarly removed too.

Whilst travelling and listen to the radio I was struck by two news items:

1. Shugborough is currently advertising for a hermit.
2. America is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of the apparent death of Elvis Presley.

In the UK the only death we publicly celebrate is that of Guy Fawkes, a notorious Roman Catholic. Now I was never a great fan of Mr Presley's music but even so I can't understand why there should be such animosity towards him in America? Was he roman catholic? Or did he, like George Melly, play on the oboe at school?