Peace at Berkeley Plantation

Great tranquillity, in a place that has seen so much strife and slaughter, endeavour and endurance, pain and progress. There is so much history here, in a country whose recorded history goes back such a relatively short time. It was the site of the first Thanksgiving service in the US, the birthplace of a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and of two US presidents, and the first ten presidents were among the guests from many different walks of life received here. The current owner was entertaining guests at tables set out under the trees around a gazebo - some were playing ball games, others standing around and chatting, and as we passed to walk down towards the river, we saw others setting off in an carriage drawn by horses - four, in my mental image, only one in my husband's. I prefer my impression.

We had a wonderful day getting lost around Williamsburg before eventually finding our way to the plantation, and didn't want to leave once we got there. However, we drove on eventually to the Westover Plantation, in another beautiful setting, even closer to the James River, before heading back to town.

Many of the leaves are already on the ground, but those still on the trees are turning and the drive through the woods was lovely.