We met for breakfast at the Piccadilly for our regular breakfast meeting. It was a very sunny day for a top-down cruise. Due to “TRAFFIC JAM”, we arrived too late for guided tour but we got lucky on our self-guided tour of the ruins and gardens. Clint Coker, author of the book on Barnsley and historian of the Barnsley family and their descendants, was in the main room adjacent to the ruins greeting guests. He entertained us with stories and patiently answered our numerous questions. Mr. Coker knows the history of this family as if it is his own and he is a master storyteller.

   After our session with Mr. Coker, we walked through the main gardens to the restaurant. We had a lovely lunch with many unusual and interesting menu choices. Their Ginger Peach Tree and homemade Fig Walnut Bread were the highlights. After lunch, some of us tourede the Barnsley cemetary and more of the gardens and ponds. It is a beautiful place with an enthralling history. I am sure most of us will be reading or re-reading Mr. Coker’s book and visiting again in the future.

   We headed home having made yet another remarkable memory to add to our Allante’ travel log. See you next month for a “Down Under Kangaroo Experience”.