The plan at the beginning of my trip had to be altered due to the treacherous rain in the region of Devon. I had initially wanted to visit Flete House in Devon which serves as Mrs. Jennings' Estate in Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility, but my inexperience with driving on the left side of the road prompted me to explore a smaller area. I believe the hostess of Hollowell Cottage, Heather, suggested that Montacute was nearby and worth seeing. To my wonder, it was also featured in Sense and Sensibility as well as the 2005 drama, Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Here, Marianne is about to pass through the gate to the gardens, insisting that the ominous clouds that threaten rain are actually impostors.
This is the "wibbly-wobbly" shrub according to the tour guide that can be detected in Ang Lee's film. I didn't realize it at the moment, but this was one of those English mornings that I wish I could relive now that I am Stateside.
I remember being freezing, but I wouldn't have wanted to experience this location any other way. Of course, I didn't attempt to walk to Combe Magna to recite a Shakespearean Sonnet from the hilltop, but I was definitely able to stroll through the gardens and reflect about life.
Here's a scene from the movie. I regret not stopping my car at the gate for another picture of Montacute from the road, but there didn't seem to be a place to pull over. The roads in England are rather peculiar in that way. I seriously regret not having the opportunity to get out of my car in Castle Combe especially!
I actually think this would make a darling composition.
I wanted to capture Elinor's worried view. I'm not quite sure if this is it. I took a backup, just in case.
Or maybe this was her view...