It's a Love Match

While the Gray's visited a famous Grand Slam event site, we tagged along for the tour. It was a sunny day and the courts were well manicured and green.


"The ball going back and forth and back and forth was awfully tempting to chase. Instead of being a lazy day in the sun, I was the ball dog for the players," Scotch happily stated.

"We did have a great time chasing them," smiled Butter.

"There is nothing like sun, grass and a ball to chase," sighed Scotch.

Tim Henman was long considered to be this country's greatest hope to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry did it three consecutive years from 1934-1936. Unfortunately, he never got past the semi-finals of this storied Grand Slam event. His native country is the answer to February’s clue.


Where are we?

Visit www.graylyn.com or request a passport.

Individuality

Here are more fashion discoveries while touring this country. It is home to designer Vivienne Westwood who studied at the Harrow School of Art, the University of Westminster & Middlesex University's Trent Park College. Along with her education, Vivienne was greatly influenced by her second husband, Malcolm McLaren, who became the manager of the punk band, The Sex Pistols. Westwood’s designs helped to incorporate the punk style into the mainstream.


Scotch requested, "Wonder if I can get a Scottish terrier mohawk to go along with the traditional beard?"

"Oh, don't be so silly, Scotch. The Gray's will not allow such a haircut," replied Butter.

Where are we?

Visit www.graylyn.com or request a passport.

The Eye

We took an exciting ride on a ferris wheel that overlooked the city. It was beautiful. We could see the majority of the tourist sites from the air. Instead of being an open air seat, we sat in an enclosed capsule to protect us from the elements.

"All the spinning made my head dizzy," Scotch said.

"The weather was perfect. Someone offered to take a picture of us. We requested that she take a picture of the ferris wheel. She sent one to us to share with you," Butter explained.

The picture is courtesy of Alison Gentry.

Where are we?

Visit www.graylyn.com or request a passport.

Murder at Graylyn

Murder mysteries, also known as crime fiction, continue to be popular with dinner parties, games and weekend-long events. The crime fiction genre dates back to the 1800s. The earliest known crime fiction was authored by Steen Steensen Blicher, "The Rector of Veilbye" in 1829. The early dark works of author, Edgar Allan Poe, are more well-known such as "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1841). The genre was not taken seriously until the early 1900s with "The Three Apples" and "One Thousand and One Nights". However, the genre was popularized with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson mulling over whodunit to solve their case.

This February, the Graylyn Estate will host its first Murder Mystery and we invite you to join us for this weekend-long show. As you check in, the air is full of excitement and intrigue; the guilty party may be checking in next to you and could befriend you during dinner. Be attentive; you may miss an important clue to solving the case, or you may even be a prime suspect. Pack your looking glass and your detective hat for a fun-filled weekend of suspense and murder.

Graylyn’s Murder Mystery Weekend will be a unique and unforgettable experience that will place you and your friends directly in the middle of a homicide investigation. The weekend package includes accommodations on Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th; a Friday evening welcome hors d’oeuvre reception; Saturday breakfast, lunch, and four-course dinner; and Sunday brunch wrap-up to unveil the mysteries of the weekend. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience Graylyn through a weekend of intrigue and mystery. The cost is $359 per person, based on double occupancy. Price subject to tax, gratuity and estate fee.

To make reservations, please call 336.758.2425 or visit our website at
www.graylyn.com.

Cheers!

We had a fabulous time in January. For February, we traveled to another country a little further south. However, it can be quite cold and rainy here.


"Yeah. Could someone give me my galoshes?" Scotch asked sharply.


"You should be thankful that you are traveling with the Gray's around the world. Not many dogs can say they have seen the world," replied Butter.


We feel like royalty here. The interior of the buildings reminds us of Graylyn. The Gray's purchased the wooden panels of a guest room and the marble mantle in the Main Dining Room from this country. The Grille Room reminds me of this country during the medieval period.

Today, we visited some mysterious stones.

Where are we?

Visit www.graylyn.com or request a passport.

The History of Valentine's Day

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor’s daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today.
In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. Through the centuries, the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became a patron saint of lovers. In the 1840s, Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for sending the first Valentine cards. (Courtesy of www.history.com)


Celebrate St. Valentine with a gourmet four-course dinner for two at Graylyn Estate. Dinner starts at $96/person. Make it a night with the Valentine's Day Package for two. The package includes overnight accommodations, four-course dinner, buffet breakfast and Graylyn bottle of wine starting at $225/couple. Packages are available Friday, February 12th until Sunday, February 14th. Prices subject to tax, gratuity and estate fee.


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Call 336.758.2425 or click here to make a reservation.


Visit www.graylyn.com.