Visiting Henley + Friar Park

Maybe no one is interested in my vacation reports but I am posting them elsewhere for friends anyway so just copy it here for those who might wanna see. This is the last one.

Went to Henley today, busy time since it's the annual Henley Regatta weekend, with musical contributions from Tom Jones who still at age 71 gets underwear at his stage and Jools Holland to just name 2, mighty fine.

Visited the Row Barge pub where George used to be and play sessions with Gary Moore and Alvin Lee and I can see why there because it is only 2 minutes straight line walk to the gates of Friar Park.

Amazing to finally see the gates and what is behind. There were only the three of us so we had time to take pics and film.

Saw a young gardener being busy, no Harrison I assume by the looks of him.

What amazes me is that I have seen so many fan pictures from the gates but I do not remember anyone referring to the things on the gates like the sculptures and the paintings and the hieroglyphics. Like below one of the sculptures of a man's face is a horse just like the label. I assume it's from the Sir Frank times.

Anyways, many impressions and feelings just standing there.

AND

the proof of the pudding was

seeing and filming Dhani riding a mountainbike just in front of us.

Quite a day

Great to read. Thanks for the update!

Lovely to hear you're getting to see something. I was wondering as I understand the park is closed to the public if it was all invisible. Hope you can post some photos later?

It has not been open to the public for a few decades already and is now - apart from the gate side - totally fenced off with wooden fences.

The pictures one can take have been here often so are not that much different apart from what I said about the details and the persons on it.

Thanks Rob!

I was just browsing my old photos from Henley and FP gates the other day. It is truly a place worth a visit. Beautiful town - I hope I could live there someday.

Lovely to read!

A former classmate went to George's homestead some years ago and came back with some wonderful photos and great stories. The classmate said that George's property had "Get the 'heck' Out" (or words to that effect) in 7 languages. (I sanitized it a tad with the euphemism "heck.")

George did have a droll sense of humor.

Where have you posted your pics? this is the second one I've seen. (the first being where a Number Two wanna-be was acting like Number Two). I'd like to at least see the pic of the gate you talked about. (I'd see the film of the figure on the bike too but I don't think you're posting that)

Originally Posted by beatlebangs1964

The classmate said that George's property had "Get the 'heck' Out" (or words to that effect) in 7 languages. (I sanitized it a tad with the euphemism "heck.")

7 was George's favorite number so that makes sense but it isn't there anymore. Just one friendly sign saying access only for .. and then something about people who have access.

A house just oposite Friar Park has two large signs saying "Private Property" which is maybe the inspiration for George's song.

Originally Posted by misfittoy

Where have you posted your pics? this is the second one I've seen. (the first being where a Number Two wanna-be was acting like Number Two).

Yeah that other thread really made my day

I will post a few pics when I have more time.

FPSHOT,

Are you still in Henley?

If so you have to visit this pub!

http://www.thecrookedbillet.co.uk/

http://www.themobilefoodguide.com/select/info11056.php

George loved to go there. He loved it so much he apparently told all his music pals...who indeed went and loved it. The likes of george, ringo, deep purple and joe brown have had impromptu music sessions there together.

It is a wonderful place with fantastic food.

Tthere is also a pub near by called the rising sun....I don't know if was any inspiration to george's song?

George was also have meant to have gone to the chinese restaurant in the town
http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/regu....php?id=754802

The new Henley Regal Cinema, also has a link with george and joe brown.
The Regal is a luxury three-screen cinema with Dolby Stereo and DTS digital sound in all screens. It opened in February 1997 on the site of the original Henley cinema after a long fight by residents to keep a cinema facility in the town - a fight which featured amongst its leading lights, ex-Beatle and Henley resident, the late George Harrison.

Where else are you going on your vacation…you anyplace near Liverpool?

Is George's brother Harold Jr. still living on the grounds? I had heard that not all that long ago he was still working to maintain the grounds.

I would love to visit Henley and see Friar Park one day! That is so great you got to go! And you saw Dhani???!!!!!!

Styles, I enjoyed reading what you wrote as well!

Has anybody seen George's brother? Or Olivia?

Originally Posted by FPSHOT

Yeah that other thread really made my day

I will post a few pics when I have more time.

I'd like to see the pics. I haven't seen any so where are the ones you already posted?

also, that other thread is gone. Was it the real No 2 or a wanna be or someone else? I don't know. The most recent post are OHMYGODHELOOKSJUSTLIKEHISFATHER.

Originally Posted by styles_maylor

FPSHOT,

Are you still in Henley?

If so you have to visit this pub!

http://www.thecrookedbillet.co.uk/

Hi Styles,

I was in Henley only for one day and did not want to make it a pub-day so chose the Row Barge for this time. The Crooked Billet is mentioned in various Harrison related books, also his jams with for instance Gary Moore there.

So, I needed to have something for the next time which could well be next year.

Thanks very much for the info though, I will trace it again if I go next year.

Liverpool is also on 'the list' for a next time and I will be in England at least twice a year - Christmas is next - so no doubt all that will come.

Thanks again

North of Friar Park is "Crisp Road"

-

FPSHOT, congrats on visiting and on having your special experience.

I had to comment that i adore your currant avatar photo of GH from the early 80s. I have never seen this photo....would enjoy seeing a larger version if possible.

Oh yes, do share more photos from your visit when time allows. Many here will enjoy viewing them i am sure ( self included)

:)