Downton Abbey: On Location

Dear friends of all things Anglophilic,

The English are at it again. Julian Fellowes is shooting another season of Downton  Abbey, and today, Carlo and I stumbled into it. 

We were touring Alnwick, north of York, England. We stopped to admire Alnwick Castle, which was used to portray Harry Potter's Hogwarts Castle. As if that were not enough, two antique Rolls Royces pulled up behind us, with leather suitcases tied on in back. It was surprising to see that a lady inside the second car was dressed in period costume. Lo and behold, it was a location filming of Downton Abbey. To make me totally fly off my feet, Hugh Bonneville was having a cup of tea in Alnwick, just as we were!

I am still quite beside myself. 

Your friend,

Patsie

Downton Abbey Exhibit at Winterthur

At Winterthur in Delaware, one can visit the Downton Abbey exhibit from now through January 4, 2015. Tickets are limited, and timed, so advance purchase is recommended.
The thrust of this exhibit is the similarity of the fictional Grantham family living in Downton Abbey shown on PBS, to the very real family of DuPonts, who lived in Winterthur, which is now a museum.

 

Henry DuPont's Drawing Room, with original hand painted Chinese wall paper

Henry DuPont's Dining Room

Brilliant! The Philadelphia Flower Show

It's Raining Flowers

Lovely Planter

Statue with Hollyhocks

Banquet Table fit for a king

Big Ben

Mini Doll House Conservatory- the Butler, in the conservatory, with a wrench!

Flowers galore

A Doll House Mini Grand Salon. Downton Abbey?

Very Austin Powers!

This year's Philadelphia Flower Show is a splash of color with a British twist. There are multiple themes inspired by all things English, such as the Beatles, and the Carnaby Street look, all the way to Big Ben, the Tower, and the crown jewels. Take a trip through my photos and see what you may have missed. Show ends this Sunday.
It smelled lovely and the marketplace had an astounding array of goodies for purchase. The vendors sell items that one cannot find anywhere else.

Your Imaginary Garden Enthusiast,
Patsie

All photos are unretouched, taken by moi, with my iphone.copyright2013.