On the Tuesday morning after my panic of what I am going to achieve here I contacted Mary Mason Williams to arrange a meeting with Andrew Patrick O'Shaughnessy - the director of the International Center for Jefferson studies. Andrew's details here
Went across to Kenwood House and went to his incredibly beautiful office. Rather jealous of that. It was the office that Roosevelt wrote his prayer that he read out on D-Day - Roosevelt used to use Kenwood as a retreat - it was his Camp David. "And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer".
Discussed project with Andrew which was very helpful - he holds out hope that we may still track down the missing letter from Alexander which closed the correspondence. Also discussed the article I am writing for the Independent on travel in Virginia and he gave me lots of pointers for where to go - and discussed how to focus is on the British in Virginia. Virginia he feels should appeal to anyone who would normally think of staying in Tuscany or the Dordogne - beautiful countryside, interesting heritage, great food and wine etc etc.
Came back to the garage and then received a phone call from Andrew asking me to lunch. Headed off to Keswick Hall - very smart country hotel and had a fantastic lunch. Whole thing very British - including the hunt kennels at the end of the drive etc. Sat outside overlooking the Arnold Palmer designed gold course - and of course discussed history and my project, so all work over the four course lunch!
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