Feeling like a Dowager, Acting like a Lady

I was a late arrival to the Downton Abby club. My mother was the first to mention it, then my own Dowager Aunt Peggy had a Sunday night ladies group watching it. When I finally caught on I was kicking myself for being late to the party.  The series sucked me in like no other show has done in a long time and maybe since. I got totally engulfed into the characters’ lives and time period.  I binged on it like a fat kid on cake.

When I figured out our new home was only one hour from Highclere Castle and that there was a garden party in September, I went digging for my credit card.   Costumes from the 1920s were encouraged; however, I went for traditional garden party dress and hat, which I made Andrew pick up at John Lewis Department Store last minute. Go figure this is England, you can hire a hat for your event, but I was a bit late getting that sorted.

I drove to the town of Newbury last Sunday morning in the rain (in my now manual transmission VW Gulf rental, turns out a manual is £25/day versus £45/day automatic).  There is quite real crescendo leading up to the castle, slowly criss-crossing up hills, fields of sheep until you make a turn and like magic the castle can be seen in the distance.  I cried when I saw it – tears of pure joy! It speaks to me about what an effect the show had on me, I was so freaking excited, the British might say it was blinding.

For your £120, you got a tour of the castle, a picnic lunch, access to all the grounds, a little group social with 1920s dance lessons and a word from current castle owners, The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.  Inside the castle is identical to the set – the red velvet couch in the sitting room, the desk his Lordship used, the dining room, the staircase, the smoking room for after dinner, the servants’ staircase but sadly, no photography inside the castle.  When I walked into Lady Cybil’s bedroom, it was totally raw and emotional. Lady Mary’s bedroom, the one with all the action, was filmed in the studio.

On travelling alone, I am really lucky that I am pretty comfortable travelling alone. Actually, more than comfortable I actually like it.  Perhaps from being on only child or from being a mom now and just craving a few moments all to myself, when nobody needs me. It’s liberating and I really try not to feel guilty about it.  Now that said, this castle would have been a blast to walk through with mom or Aunt Peg, or my kinder mom friend Katie, and many others.  So lucky I got to go.

Amongst a slew of Downton groupies, it was easy to make friends. I met two American couples who readily admitted to posing as Canadians on their trip (for obvious reasons…). You can tell by their photograph they were fun (spelling out OHIO, for Ohio State University where they met).  They have the blog name I hope they read this!  Nan, Brian, Geoff (?) and (I forget….see next paragraph re: my age!) it was great fun meeting you.

My 40^th birthday is coming soon on September 23, but this is the last I am going to speak of it because head’s up, I am skipping it. I really want to be with my tribe back in Edmonton.  My friend Danielle shares my birthday and we should be having a huge party and wrestling Mike Tyson’s Tiger in true The Hangover style, but it is not happening this year. The timing is not right.

My main job right now, like millions of women before me, is making sure the children are okay, setting up house and supporting my husband in his new job. I can’t really take off to Vegas or walking tour of Italy and feel great about it. The traditional roles of men and women have not really evolved that much from Downton Abby times, have they? Oh, except I do not have a ladies made, I rarely get dressed for breakfast and I am currently the nanny, cook, and chauffeur. 40 is a big one and I intend on celebrating at a later date. Stay tuned, you may get an invite.

Note: Turns out writing something thoughtful for the blog takes time but is challenging me.  I did make a video though quickly on my iphone for fun.  We are moving out of the cottage tomorrow and into our rental home near Winchester, hallelujah! I wanted to get this post up tonight as I am not sure when we will have wifi again.

Author: davenportjamie77@gmail.com

B+ Mother, Foodie, Nasty Woman, Humourist View all posts by davenportjamie77@gmail.com