Downton abbey castle

Guide Molly Breakspear took us through the house, each room seemingly grander than the next: the dining room, where 12 leaves can be inserted into the table and 40 people can be seated (“They do seem to spend a good bit of time at the dining table,” she says), down the 150-year-old grand staircase, from which cast members seem to materialize and de-materialize with some frequency; to the bedrooms, where dalliances occur. (Yes, Lady Mary, I am talking about you and the Turk, but we forgave you when you finally realized Matthew was the one for you.) … [Read more...] about Under the spell of Highclere Castle and ‘Downton Abbey’

“Gemini Man” stumbled out of the gates. The Ang Lee film about an assassin on the run from a younger version of himself opened in third place with $20.5 million. The film cost a reported $140 million to make. … [Read more...] about ‘Joker’ tops box office again beats ‘Addams Family’

Let me start out by saying that the club had a chess theme. As in the dance floor was a black and white chess set lined with 10-foot tall pawns, knights and castles, all illuminated by neon green lights. The music was so loud that I was concerned I would have permanent inner ear damage. And we actually saw a girl-on-girl, hair-pulling cat-fight on the dance floor. It was madness. … [Read more...] about My 22nd Birthday in Cork, Ireland

Meyer excels in her role, making Aldonza’s torment — both physical and emotional — realistic. Her pain and anger are believable and the audience can’t help but hope for her to finally accept the kindness bestowed upon her by Don Quixote. She is a strong and determined woman, perhaps by nature, but more likely due to harsh lifetime going back to her birth, as she compellingly explains in the Act II song bearing her name. … [Read more...] about REVIEW: SDMT puts on a compelling ‘Man of La Mancha’

We didn’t manage to get to the main city castle but we were told the Castello di Brescia (which was built by the Visconti family and can be found on top of a hill) was also another Brescia highlight. If you are staying in the evening then you will be in for a treat – especially in the summer months –  as this is when the squares are filled with locals enjoying the fantastic array of restaurants and trattorias while drinking crisp white wine late into the night! A perfect, but little known Italian city break! … [Read more...] about Brescia – Italy’s beautiful underrated city destination