Downton abbey s01e06

NEWBURY, England — He is a farmer, she says, and she is a farmer’s wife. They are active in their community. She writes a bit on the side, her writing room only recently having been wired for electricity.On my recent visit to her home, she was warm and welcoming. Her yellow Lab, Bella, followed her closely as her mistress ushered visitors into the house.And oh my. What a house. Two hundred rooms. Forty bedrooms. Silk wallcoverings in one room, 16th century Spanish leather wallcoverings in another. An original Van Dyck. A display on Egyptology, in honor of one of the previous occupants who just happened to have discovered King Tut’s tomb.Hundreds of other treasures make it abundantly clear that you are not in Kansas anymore. You are, instead, on the set of “Downton Abbey,” but it’s not a set at all. It is Highclere Castle, and when Season 4 begins Sunday for American viewers of the wildly popular PBS show, it is this magnificent home they will see, … [Read more...] about Under the spell of Highclere Castle and ‘Downton Abbey’

“Joker” kept winning at the box office.The R-rated comic book villain origin story had a phenomenal second weekend box office, topping the charts once more over newcomers like the animated “The Addams Family” and the Will Smith action pic “Gemini Man.”Studios on Sunday estimate that “Joker” added $55 million from North American theaters, down only 43% from its record-breaking debut.“The Addams Family” exceeded expectations and took second place in its first weekend in theaters with $30.3 million. “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.“Abominable” and “Downton Abbey” rounded out the top five. … [Read more...] about ‘Joker’ tops box office again beats ‘Addams Family’

By Samantha Feuss | October 6, 2019 at 12:32 am I’ve been obsessed with Barbados since I was a kid, when I read the Newbery Medal-winning book “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” by Elizabeth George Speare. For anyone who somehow managed to escape their summer reading, the book is about a fictional 17th century young woman who, orphaned, must leave her home in Barbados and travel to New England. Now in Puritan Connecticut, she often reminisces about her home and her childhood growing up in beautiful Barbados. Yes, as an adult, I now realize the colonizer themes that ran rampant in the book. However, the images left in my mind’s eye of the lush and balmy Barbados had impressed on me the desire to make my way over to the tiny island as soon as I was able. No better time then the present, so we headed over to finally see the nation well known as the birthplace of rum. Located in the lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of North America, just 166 … [Read more...] about Lots to see and do in beautiful Barbados

The world’s oldest cities are once-in-a-lifetime destinations, places that effortlessly inspire awe and put you in the shoes of a time traveler. To walk labyrinthine streets, marvel at crumbling fortress walls, or see kings’ tombs that have endured thousands of years is to experience a fleeting moment of what life was like for the first civilizations on Earth. Read on to be transported to 10 ancient cities to visit (without travel advisories) where you can take part in age-old rituals and learn about the legends that have been passed down for more generations than you can ever fathom. Luoyang, China First Inhabited: Around 2070 BCE Asia’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Luoyang was considered to be the geographical center and one of the four great ancient capitals of China. It lies on the north or sunny (yang) side of the Luo River where it converges with the Yi River. Stunning mountains surround the city, where Chinese Buddhist temples and monuments are carved … [Read more...] about 10 Timeless Cities Where the Past Comes to Life

Christmas is once again on its merry way (to the most hardcore of fans, at least), and Britain's festive markets will be opening their doors. Here are some of the best options for mulled wine, traditional wooden toys, ice rinks and much more. Bath November 28 to December 15 Over 180 light-strewn stalls will line the streets of Bath this year around the iconic Roman Baths and the Abbey. Nearly everything on sale is either sourced or made locally. Ceramics, glasswear, clothes, personalised presents, toys and homeware are among the items you'll find here – as well as plenty of food and drink. When you've done enough shopping, head for the ice rink and glow-in-the-dark crazy golf course at nearby Royal Victoria Park (bathonice.com - their biggest ever this year; Nov 15, 2019 to Jan 5, 2020), take a tour of the Roman Baths, or catch this year's pantomime of Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal (Nov 26 to December 1). You can also head out on the Christmas Tree Carol … [Read more...] about Britain’s best Christmas markets