Rosewitch, England was definitely one of my favorite places I have ever visited. My folks took me there when I was 14, and I remember bits and pieces the Crown jewels, walking amongst the Stonehenge stones (roped off now, vandalism), Stratford upon Avon. Time for me to take my own 14YO. Im trying to think how I can get over there for a whole summer, LOL. Dlynn, I could have worked so much more. I didnt really look at night time stuff and there was loads to do. Greece: cant help you, but shoot Yasou a line, she went a few years ago. LOL Annie! Teresa, well go together. I wanted to explore more cooking and food shops/stores but didnt get to. Terri, here is more a link to Pictures of England, a website pointed out to me by Denise. I started it on Bourton on the Water, where we stayed for a few days. Thanks Sharon, I was actually thinking how can I even come close to posting her quality of travel guides, I dont do the pictures she does LOL. We might have sat at the same table in the Cheshire Cheeses dining room! Sawdust still there, but we didnt make it to the cellar. I missed a lot of the British Museum. It has changed.check out the new atrium. I couldnt keep up with DH and DS16. Afternoons, when I planned museums, I crashed. Next time! Pam, lots of people did more than we did per day! Theater every night, more attractions, I cant imagine. Gina heh heh yeah I need another vacation like a hole in my head. Speaking of whichDH has another week off in August. Nooooooooo! Kathleen, DH says he took an average of 200 pictures a day. Yup. Me, I just buy the post cards or Google the images, same thing (DARFC from the photo bugs here) Cathy, thanks for giving me the War and Peace moniker heh heh. Next time I go with CF friends! LindaC, I know. Im still exhausted. Speaking of the V&A, did you know there was a Dale Chihuly chandelier in the entrance room?

Marie cate I'm an hour and half away. I'm waiting for someone to get back to me to confirm which date she's available to go but I want to go soon. We went to see the Grace Kelly exhibit (in Doylestown) last January and the weather was a nightmare. I want to go sooner versus later so we don't repeat that. The Xmas decor will be up after the 22nd, I think. Kswl, I still longingly recall a plaid coat Mary wore in a hunting scene, the first year I believe. It would be great if that is included in the exhibit, I'd love to see it up close. Something about the tailoring on that just really grabbed me. Of course I'm not built anything like her. I'd look like a fire plug wrapped in a plaid blanket.

I'm hooked on D.A., too; I was saddened by last night's show. I liked Sybil's spunk and independence; she was trying to live a 'normal' life, but in her situation, guess that was almost impossible. I'm sure the show is very true to the customs/mores of those times, so Sybil's husband Tom didn't get consulted much, did he? On another note, Isabelle Crawley's hiring of Ethel as a cook/housemaid would probably have been a "kiss of death" for her, as far as 'social position' was concerned. Hounds, Downtown Abbey is worth getting hooked on, IMO. My only problem is that it will eventually end, just like "Upstairs/Downstairs". That's a series I'd like to see shown again.

Another fan of Miss Marple! I am talking about the BBC series with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, cause there have been some others that aren't as good. The gardens in that series are always gorgeous too. Oh, if only I could have lots of balmy rain and no 5-below days, then I too could have roses like Miss Marple's, dash it all. But I digress. I love Downton, but, really, the kitchen? I could not work there. Cramped cellar-like space, no exhaust fan or high-btu cooktop. But mostly, I am always surprised at how shabby the Downton Abbey kitchen is, from the pots and pans, to the rickety shelves, to the grimy walls. So, no, I am not a fan of Downton's kitchen! Love the rest of it though. Here is a link that might be useful: BBC series with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple This post was edited by shannonplus2 on Fri, Dec 14, 12 at 20:54