DIY Downton Abbey

My sister in America is a huge fan of Downton Abbey.  I must confess that I have never seen it but I have quite a few friends over here in England that are equally enamoured with the series. One of the locations that Downton Abbey uses for its backdrop is Bampton, Oxfordshire. I live about 8 or so miles from there and had been telling myself for time that I should visit and take some photos to send to my sister.  So with a knowledgeable friend and her pup we headed out to Church View, the road where Bampton Library (Grantham hospital),  St,. Mary's Church ( the village church), and 2 other houses that make up Crawley house and Grantham Arms are situated. Another motivation for visiting Bampton on the day, was rumour had it, they were filming Series 4, so it might offer up a chance of spotting a famous actor. There were only a handful of us milling around and taking pictures and the local newspaper was there interviewing a few of us, getting our views on everything Downton.  They even took a few photos of us and said to look for the article in an upcoming edition. It made us feel a bit like the celebrity. We missed the real stars of the show, as we came on their lunch break but  it was a pleasant experience seeing the 'set'.  Now to complete my Downton Abbey experience with a visit to Highclere Castle, near Newbury and probably a watch of the series wouldn't go amiss either.

Opportunities this May Bank Holiday to visit both Bampton and Highclere Castle

Highclere Game & Country Fair, May 26-27, 8am-6pm

More information and advance tickets can be found at www.countrymanfairs.co.uk

Whitsun 2013  Monday, May 27
 9am Start in Bampton, www.traditionalbamptonmorris.org.uk

Hedgehogs

Before moving to this country, I had never seen a hedgehog before.  There are no hedgehogs native to America, just as there are no porcupines native to U.K.   I also naively thought hedgehogs were related to the porcupines, but there is no connection between the two, besides the fact they both have quills of some sort.  A few weeks ago my kids and their friends saw a hedgehog out front by our house.  The kids ran down and took some photos and were bemused for a while but eventually I had them come in. They were concerned as it had a few ticks on its body.  We didn’t do anything.  I remembered a friend had contacted a local hedgehog rescue centre after finding one wrapped up in sweaters in her garage.  I contacted the centre regarding the hedgehog that we had seen and they said hedgehogs are rarely out in daytime unless they are unwell and if we were to see it again might be worth bringing in. We haven’t seen it again yet, but it did start me on a campaign to learn more about hedgehogs.  There are lots of different breeds of hedgehogs but the European hedgehog is the one that is in decline. This is mainly because of badgers and foxes that like the hedgehog delicacy and also because of their unfortunate encounters with cars.  Combine that with trimmers and slug pellets and you have a species that is on the endangered list.  Hedgehogs are good climbers and swimmers and enjoy snacking on peanuts, raisins, berries, melons and mushrooms.  The end of November is a busy time for hedgehogs as a lot of juvenile hedgehogs come out then to strike out on their own.   To learn even more about hedgehogs or to support the cause please contact:

www.pricklytales.wordpress.com or prickly tales on Facebook (only Oxfordshire rescue centre)

www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk  This site also has a wealth of information and good colouring pages for kids!

Made in the U.S.A.

     Poundland just opened a new store in Oxford City Centre in the Westgate Shopping Centre, where the Next Outlet use to be. The thing I love about Poundland and the 99p store is you just never know what you will find. I have found items that are from American shops, some that still show the dollar price tag. There was a Hannah Montana hairpiece from Sears (retail price $9.95) , American candles,  mountain dew soda and recently I found a pedicure machine from Rite aid all for 99p each..not bad when so many American product purchased here are so expensive due to taxes and transport fees. 
      I recently found a website www.foodbargains.co.uk that sells a few American products greatly reduced as well. The only catch is that they are expired products...the mac n cheese and root beer were a year expired but I guess they must still be fit for consumption as they can still legally sell them? Not sure if I am ready to try them just yet.    
     Occasionally I will look on ebay for American food....American candy bars are usually around £2 which is quite steep but if you really wanted a treat..might be justifiable....and American cake and bread mixes are quite commonly sold there as well.   All this blogging about American stuff makes me feel like I might need an American care package very soon. Also when you shop online at tesco you can put in 'American Groceries ' and get a selection of candy bars, sauces, and cereals. 

American History at Sulgrave Manor

Sulgrave Manor, near Banbury, was built by George Washington’s 5x Grandfather during Tudor times.  George’s direct ancestors, who all were influential men in their own right, lived there for less than 100 years, before John Washington, George’s Grandfather, emigrated to America.   They have an exhibition area on George Washington at their Brewhouse, but the emphasis on the house is more Tudor history than Washington history.   It’s a small, gentle place with a manor house and various gardens, and on select days children’s guided tours and Tudor dress up.  We visited a few years ago on Labor Day but it is the kind of place that I would go back to and enjoy again.  Open to the public, until end of October and reopening again in May. The best visiting times, being half term and weekends (11am-4pm), as midweek opening times are currently limited 2-4pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  They also have a Christmas Market and Yuletide Celebration and it is available for private hire. I would however recommend calling ahead (01295 760205) to make sure the children’s activities you are interested in are available for when you are planning your visit. 

Remembering

 As I was walking my youngest daughter from primary school on Friday, I overheard the conversation of a young British schoolgirl telling her mum about the September 11^th attacks,  which they had discussed at school that day.  Today, as I remember that day, I am talking to my children about it too.  It has become history for everyone around the world, whether we want it or not.

Living as an ex-pat in England for the last 11 years, my exposure to it has been watered down over the years but today on the 10^th anniversary, I will choose again to remember and feel, as much as the day it happened. My greatest connection to the event is that I am American, and I had been to the twin towers some 25 years ago.  They were unbelievable and enthralling and I can only imagine how exciting a place it must have been to work in and see those buildings every day.   Now, for the first time the general public can see the memorial and the partly constructed  ‘One World Trade Center ‘ (freedom tower) which is due to be completed 2013. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3797039/London-unveils-memorial-for-911.html The dedication ceremony will be today and it will start to be open to the public tomorrow.  ww.911memorial.org   Earlier in the week, the mayor of London unveiled a memorial sculpture in London made from wreckage.  66 UK citizens lost their lives in 9/11. Mixed reviews over this so far in the UK, as there isn’t an official memorial to the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London yet.

South Tower, viewing platform

The BBC are offering coverage of the 10^th anniversary at the New York Memorial starting at 130pm today going on until 415pm, although the event in America will last until 11pm Eastern Time.  There will be moments of silence, tributes and tears in the new Manhattan skyline that has changed itself, changed the world, and changed us.  My youngest daughter just saw my old photos of the twin tower and said ‘ Wow and was it as tall as the Eiffel tower?’….and I said…’it was taller’. Some will say it is media overload and that they would rather forget. I am glad however that they are helping me and my family remember a little bit more this year.

Costco sells a little bit of America

I finally made it to Costco recently, as my mother-in-law has a membership.  There was a buzz about it on a facebook site, I frequent, called American Ex-pats in UK.  I needed to see how much of America they really stock here in UK.  There were some nice surprises like finding Carters Clothing, pajamas and playwear for young children and infants. Other American items I noticed were Poppycock, Paul Newman's grape juice, various hershey chocolates, skippy peanut butter, chicken of the sea tuna and everything bagels. I was most impressed with the lunch cafe'.  Probably the cheapest place I've ever eaten in the U.K.---baked (jacket) potato with tuna for £1.25 and hot dog with unlimited soda for about the same.  Worth a scooch if someone you know is already a member.  

Tesco Sells American Beef

While British Farmers are outraged that Tesco is selling American beef, I am overjoyed.  I have lived in Europe for 12 years now and find eating continental and UK beef a challenge.  I find it is tougher and less flavourful than American Beef.  The reason is that American beef is grain (corn) feed and British beef is grass fed. Supposedly the Americans also use hormones and tenderizing agents, although the Tesco imports are supposedly free of these. I ordered my American (branded Black Angus Sirloin or Ribeye) beef online.( Only some of the bigger Tescos carry it in store).  It is about $18 a pound (£24.99 per kilo) for the rib eye and a little less for the sirloin.  Definitely a bit dearer than buying a British ribeye which is around $11.50 per pound (£15.99 per kilo) and a whole lot dearer than American supermarket prices that range from $6-10 a pound.  Mind you, I won't be eating American steak every week but now prefer the every once in a while treat of a steak, at home with a baked potato and Caesar salad.