Cobwebs and Cream Teas by Mary Mackie

Title: Cobwebs and Cream Teas: A Year in the Life of a National Trust House
Author: Mary Mackie
ISBN: 9780752834108
Publisher: Orion Publishing, 2001
Paperback, 175 pages
Genre: Memoirs
Rating: B
Source: Purchased from Alibris.

First Line: Remembering our first encounter with Felbrigg Hall, I'm irresistibly reminded of all the horror movies I've ever seen.

Author Mary Mackie's husband feared being tied to a desk for the rest of his working life; their children had "grown and flown"; and as a freelance writer, Mary's work could be done anywhere. When the position of Houseman at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, England became available, Mr. Mackie applied and was given the job. This slender volume recounts a part of their lives spent in this National Trust house.

I spent an enjoyable hour or two reading of the library in the house, the things the couple discovered while they worked there, and just the daily tasks that are expected of a Houseman (one of which involves walking fifteen miles on a slow afternoon-- without ever leaving the Hall).

Mackie has a light touch and a good sense of humor which combines well with the information she packs in this book. She continues her memoirs of life in this stately home in an additional two volumes-- Dry Rot and Daffodils and Frogspawn and Floor Polish-- and I look forward to reading both of these as well because I cannot resist sampling the histories of old houses, large and small.

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Review-- The National Trust Handbook 2009

Title: The National Trust Handbook for Members and Visitors 2009
Editor: Lucy Peel
ISBN: 9780707804071/ The National Trust, 2009
Genre: Travel
Rating: A

First Line: In 1895 three Victorian philanthropists, worried about the impact of uncontrolled development and industrialisation, set up the National Trust.

Do any of you have a book that is a self-contained wish list? A book that, when you open it and begin turning the pages, your eyes light up and your heart beats a little faster? A book that contains page after page of things you just have to see for yourself? I feel this way about each new edition of The National Trust Handbook.

I've wanted to travel to the UK since I was eight years old. I never thought I would get there until serendipity struck and I married an Englishman seven years ago. I have since been to the UK twice, and let me tell you, it's a treat when your companion is not only your soul mate, but a seasoned UK driver! Before our first trip, I learned of the Royal Oak Foundation, which calls itself "Americans in Alliance with the National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland." Among the many perks of Royal Oak membership is free entry to all National Trust sites, a free parking sticker for your vehicle, and a copy of The National Trust Handbook. Needless to say, Denis and I became members, and we haven't regretted it!

The book is divided into various sections of the country, and is filled with photos and descriptions of each National Trust site.


There are rows of little symbols which are confusing at first, but I quickly learned the ones which were the most important to me. Hours of operation, facilities available, available modes of transportation, driving directions, other National Trust sites in the area...they're all in the handbook to make trip planning easy.

If you're planning a trip to the UK and like history, architecture, gardens and nature walks, one of the best items you can obtain is a copy of this book!