Feelin' Downright "Downton" at Highclere Castle
Humming TV's Downton Abbey's theme song, we strode up to the imposingly grand Highclere Castle that is the TV home to Ladies Mary and Edith (I still miss Sybil), Cora, His Lordship Robert, Tom, Carson, Mrs. Hughes and oodles more beloved characters from the Edwardian-era show.
What an exciting treat to wander through this beautiful Victorian castle, which is home to the real-life Earl and Countess of Carnarvon (and has been for each such Earl for over 300 years). The country house, built in 1842 done in the Jacobethan style sits on a 5,000-acre estate and boasts grounds designed by Capability Brown (who has created numerous gardens in London).
It was enormous, yet welcoming, perhaps because so much of it was familiar from the TV show -- the dining room, drawing room, library, staircase and entry in particular. Oh, I was captivated by the library and it's rich color palate, invitingly plush chairs and endless array of leather-bound books! Leave me here -- "Carson, please just bring me some herbal tea and a volume or two to read!"
An additional sight was the fascinating Egyptian exhibit in the cellar's museum which boasted authentic artifacts actually found by the 5th Earl of Carnavon and his colleague, Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. Many of the original finds AND replicas of unbelievable items from their discovery of King Tut's tomb are here! We weren't allowed to photograph these, but they included intricate figurines, a Ramses II calcite jar, chairs, paintings and jewelry, to name a few things. Captivating!
We also wandered some of the lovely English gardens and paths during our stay, as well. Many of the abundant plants were originally imported from the Americas, India and the Far East. Fruit trees kept the kitchen full of treats. An area south of the Castle is a wild flower meadow. There is a Monks' Garden and a Secret Garden, topiaries, hundreds of cedar trees (over 200 years old) and non-native tree species, Follies (architectural ornamentations) simply to beautify the area (as were popular in 18th century British gardens) and a glasshouse (greenhouse) that grows peaches and roses, There are also 1,000 acres of surrounding English countryside.
. . . Still humming, I can say yes, we were feeling Downright Downton!
Posies Aplenty at Columbia Road's Flower Market
"Free for a Fiver!" (translation: "Three for five pounds"), "Going home early -- buy 'em now!", "Grab yourself a bunch!", "Fresh and fine!" These are all phrases called out from hawkers selling every kind of poesy imaginable at the Columbia Road Flower Market.
Gorgeous flowers, vibrant colors and sweet floral perfume blanket an entire road as wall-to-wall buyers and lookers take in the beauty. And they're practically giving them away; the blossoms are so inexpensive! Peonies, orchids, sunflowers, gladiolas, begonias, hollyhocks, bedding plants, succulents, trees and topiary overflow each stall. It's a feast for the senses on Columbia!
An evening at the London Philharmonic Orchestra's concert was such an wonderful experience -- truly music to our ears and souls. Treated to the event by Accenture, a company Mike often works with, we reveled in the unbelievable talents of musicians on piano, strings, brass, percussion, and harp.
They played Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 with beauty and energy, but it was Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor that was my favorite. Honestly, I wasn't exactly humming the melody as I entered the Royal Festival Hall -- I didn't know it well enough to do so! But I can't wait to hear this piece again now. It features a huge part for a piano and I was spellbound by the pianist. As we met some orchestra members and were given an overview of the evening at the reception prior to the performance, they said pianist Paul Lewis was widely considered the greatest interpreter of Beethoven of this generation. Wow! Well, the dynamics and flow of his playing was amazing, even to a novice like me.
The hall's acoustics were fantastic, the crowd wildly appreciative and we became fans -- feelin' cultured! ;)
Posies Aplenty at Columbia Road's Flower Market
"Free for a Fiver!" (translation: "Three for five pounds"), "Going home early -- buy 'em now!", "Grab yourself a bunch!", "Fresh and fine!" These are all phrases called out from hawkers selling every kind of poesy imaginable at the Columbia Road Flower Market.
Gorgeous flowers, vibrant colors and sweet floral perfume blanket an entire road as wall-to-wall buyers and lookers take in the beauty. And they're practically giving them away; the blossoms are so inexpensive! Peonies, orchids, sunflowers, gladiolas, begonias, hollyhocks, bedding plants, succulents, trees and topiary overflow each stall. It's a feast for the senses on Columbia!
Music to Our Ears!
An evening at the London Philharmonic Orchestra's concert was such an wonderful experience -- truly music to our ears and souls. Treated to the event by Accenture, a company Mike often works with, we reveled in the unbelievable talents of musicians on piano, strings, brass, percussion, and harp.
They played Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 with beauty and energy, but it was Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor that was my favorite. Honestly, I wasn't exactly humming the melody as I entered the Royal Festival Hall -- I didn't know it well enough to do so! But I can't wait to hear this piece again now. It features a huge part for a piano and I was spellbound by the pianist. As we met some orchestra members and were given an overview of the evening at the reception prior to the performance, they said pianist Paul Lewis was widely considered the greatest interpreter of Beethoven of this generation. Wow! Well, the dynamics and flow of his playing was amazing, even to a novice like me.
The hall's acoustics were fantastic, the crowd wildly appreciative and we became fans -- feelin' cultured! ;)
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