I’ve written about Hearst Castle, on the California Coast, before. I went there the first time when I was fifteen, and still remember it as somewhere magical. On a recent trip back to California it was on my to-see list and, even though the visitor centre was much larger than I remember, the tours more crowded, the magic remains.

This is the indoor swimming pool at Hearst Castle. During Hearst’s lifetime it wasn’t used much, Hearst and his guests preferring the larger and more showy outdoor pool, with its colonnades, statues and real Roman temple. Apparently some of his guests didn’t even realise this pool existed, set away from the main house as it is.

The tiles are real gold, 24-carat, brilliant against the lapis blue, and the warm lantern light entices. If this were my pool I would swim in it all the time, like floating in a dream.

Thank you for joining me on another Wednesday Wander – see you next time 🙂