On the last full day of our trip, we visited Highclere Castle.  Which is a beautiful estate encompassing 5,000 acres.  Its history goes back to 749, and as we toured the estate, I discovered some remarkable things from its past.

At Highclere, the Fourth Earl of Carnarvon helped draft the BNA act with Sir John A. McDonald. Helping to create Canada as we know it.  
Geoffrey de Havilland made England’s first flight from Highclere in September 1910.  The castle was a hospital for wounded soldiers during the First World War.  And the fifth Earl of Carnarvon was Egyptologist Howard Carter’s primary sponsor and ultimately was responsible for discovering King Tutt’s tomb in 1923.

Through the Second World War, the sixth Earl of Carnarvon and his family opened Highclere to home children evacuated from London.

But for all of its history, what is Highclere known for?  For being the setting for a television show and two movies. When people saw our photos of Highclere, many commented that we had visited Downton Abbey. But really, Downton Abbey is the least interesting thing about Highclere Castle.

It proves that just because we might not be able to dictate how we are remembered, we still have to do our best.

Have a great week, and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.