The rolling farmlands and the abundance of combines and other farm equipment [1] on the road to the Mitchell family's home, Sandon House, served as a reminder that farmers are still the backbone of the area -- but it also reminded me that few people today will ever experience the luxury of country living. 

The Mitchells -- Don and Kathy with daughters Sarah and Kate, and son James -- moved into Sandon House over twenty years ago. Don found, while clearing out the stables, a tube with a bright orange box kite inside. Fortunately, through curiosity, he did not throw out this unusual item. Some years later the previous occupant of the house called by and he explained that the kite was from the Lancaster that had crashed in the village. The caller was Doctor Bocking, one of the first on the scene of the crash, and he had done his best to help the men, but sadly, to no avail.

We turned into the entrance to Sandon House [1], drove up to the aforementioned stable [2], which now serves as a garage for Don's vintage Triumph [3], and soon after I had my first look at the strange remnant from the Lancaster [4] which had triggered the extraordinary sequence of events which brought my mother and me to England.

Sandon House is a huge, multi-storied, vine covered brick home [5] which Don and Kathy [6] have decorated with exquisite taste. The view from the terrace [7] overlooks lush sprawling grounds [8] -- complete with tennis court.

The Mitchells' interest in historical artifacts and travel is in evidence everywhere -- inside and outside the house. A garden shelter even houses ancient handcrafted wood and stone parts from a long-demolished local mill [9].