Astute readers will point out that we’ve already had part four of the famous series “Keeping up with the Joneses“, but I’m going back to trampolines for the missing part – get ready for the stupidly titled Keeping Up With The Joneses Part 3 and a half!

First, some history: set in the massive 45 km² private gardens, Eaton Hall has been home to the Grosvenor family since the 15th century and in this time has served as a War hospital twice and had its fair share of being demolished and then re-built.

In 1874 Queen Victoria created the title “The Duke of Westminster” for Eaton Halls owner, Hugh Grosvenor who, thanks to inherited property in central London, was the richest man in Britain.

These days the Duke title is held by Gerald Grosvenor, who also previously held the “Richest” title but in recent years has slipped to No. 5. However, the Duke has managed to cling onto the title of Richest Man in Britain (who was born in Britain).

Of course, even billionaires have to keep up with the Joneses, and the Duke of Westminster is no exception; outside the back of the stately home there is a large blue trampoline, just like those found throughout the rest of the UK!

Don’t forget that he’s rich though, the Duke has 2 trampolines!

The full 2007 rich list will be published this Sunday.

Thanks: Mrb

Welcome to the fourth in our irregular series “Keeping Up With The Joneses”, where we feature communities around the globe who are trying to to get one-up on their neighbours.

The requirement for social acceptance in this South Texan town is not (as in previous episodes) Tennis courts, Aircraft or Trampolines but instead your own personal pier.

Luckily for those who want to live in the area, but can’t afford their own sailboat, it would appear that having something to park at your personal pier is not a requirement; of all the 45 piers in the neighbourhood nobody’s moored so much as a rowboat!

Thanks: John

Welcome to the third in a series that has seen competitive homeowners across the globe vying to emulate the affluence of their immediate neighbours – Keeping up with the Joneses Part 3! (Also see part 1 and part 2)

This time we’re in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the residents of Corstorphine appear to have been put under some considerable pressure to become the proud owners of their very own trampoline.

I actually couldn’t believe how many of these things there are – here’s one, and another, and another, and another! In fact the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on! I’d particularly like a shot on one of these ones, just to see if – by leaping from a nearby roof – you could make it all the way to one of next-door’s trampolines…

While we’re on the subject, Wilfred van Breda sent us this link to a barge in Rotterdam harbour, which he claims is owned by a friend and actually has a trampoline on board. Hmmm.

The same vessel actually appears elsewhere in the harbour too. Unless of course, this type of craft comes standard with a trampoline…

Thanks to Wilfred van Breda.

Jumbolair Aviation Estates near Ocala in Florida is probably the most famous of the U.S.’s near 500 fly-in communities, a few of which we’ve previously featured.

It first gained media attention thanks to the efforts of the eccentric Arthur Jones who populated the place with his Jumbo jets, elephants, gorilla and the world’s largest crocodile in captivity.

However the animals are no longer there, instead replaced by flying nut (and all-round nut) John Travolta, after he was thrown out of his previous abode at Spruce Creek Fly-In Community (which incidentally features in The Google Sightseeing Book).

It’s claimed that the reason the residents of Spruce Creek wanted rid of Travolta was the excess noise produced by his Boeing 707, called Jett Clipper Ella. The 1964 former Qantas airliner was previously owned by Frank Sinatra, and was painted in the classic V-Jet colours in return for Travolta lending it to Qantas for a round-the-world tour.

Travolta’s residence is obvious, being the largest and right next to the runway. The 707 is parked under the southern canopy but the disco king himself must be out and about, as the smaller Gulfstream II Jet which resides in the northern canopy is missing.

More info on Jumbolair, Travolta’s 707 and his house.

You might remember the communities where to be part of the “in” crowd is to have your own tennis court. That’s all very well but in Cielo Dorado Estates you need your own plane! There’s a private runway running right though the centre of the community which is shared by all the residents. The community website has annotated maps and ground level photos. It looks like there might still be a couple of plots of land available, if you’re interested

Perhaps you’d prefer Denver to New Mexico? No problem, they’ve got a similar setup. Most of the houses in these areas have large hangars to house their planes, but the odd one is parked outside.

But what about those houses which aren’t directly on the runway (like this one in another community in Dallas)? That’s no problem as the connecting roads are extra-wide to accommodate you driving your plane down to the runway for your Sunday afternoon flights.

Thanks: Myke Westover, BlueTypewriter & Mousky