Farewell to Downton Abbey

Hello friends and welcome to my Downton Abbey Tea. This is a rather long post, so I invite you to grab your favourite cuppa and join me.

Courtesy of Pinterest 

Last Sunday night the world bid farewell to the much loved Downton Abbey TV series. 

It took my hubby and me some time to appreciate this British historical drama series. We actually didn't start watching it until sometime during the fifth season. Once we became familiar with the colourful characters we were hooked. We then spent a couple of months watching DVDs to get caught up on all the seasons.

Now here we are, our bellies full of British history, costumes, and characters we have come to love. The trouble with having one's appetite sated is that sooner or later we want more. We enjoy that butterscotch cream pie but not long after, we long for more of it. 

Alas, the show is indeed over and we will have to be content with memories or watching it on DVDs. 

Who could forget those sumptuous dinner tables set with fine china, flowers and candle light? And one never knew what way the conversation was going to go.

Courtesy of Pinterest 

I will surely miss the scenery of the English countryside.

 Courtesy of Pinterest

And those special moments like Lady Mary with her son George.

Courtesy of Pinterest 

"I am not a romantic, but even I concede that the heart does not exist soley for the purpose of pumping blood." - Lady Violet

Can one ever forget those lovely tea times and witty bits of conversation exchanged between Lady Violet and Lady Isobel? Oftentimes I found their banter a highlight of the show.

"You're only saying that to sound clever." - Isobel
"Yes, you should try it!" - Lady Violet

I think I shall miss them most of all. Maggie Smith was superb and no one could play the Dowager as well, me thinks. Although Lady Violet is the complete opposite from me, her quick wit I found very amusing.

I loved Penelope Wilton's character too. She was such a lovely and compassionate woman who demonstrated all the qualities of a true lady but she still knew how to take care of herself. She really was my favourite.  

Courtesy of Pinterest

The Dowager had the most fantastic lines. Take this conversation between her granddaughter Sybil and herself.

Sybil Crawley: "No one ever learned anything from a governess except for French, and how to curtsy." Lady Violet: "What more do you need?"

Lady Violet always made me smile.

Of course one must mention Robert played by Hugh Bonneville and his gentle wife, Lady Cora played by Elizabeth McGovern. They brought such warmth and grace to the home. Isn't her hat fabulous!

Courtesy of Pinterest

Ah, dear Matthew played by Dan Stevens! My heart was broken when he was killed off. He was such a gentleman and a perfect compliment to Lady Mary. I missed him throughout the remainder of the series.

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I think a good cat fight every now and then clears the air such as those between Lady Mary played by Michelle Dockery and sister Lady Edith played by Laura Carmichael. Deep down they really do love each other and will one day be grand friends. 

I admire Lady Edith a great deal because she overcame many heartaches in her life and grew from them, making her stronger and more resilient. I think she will make Bertie a splendid wife.

Both sisters adored their youngest sister Lady Sybil who sadly died during childbirth. Aren't their hats lovely!

Courtesy of Pinterest 

We all loved the story between Lady Sybil and Tom Branson played by Jessica Brown-Findlay and Allen Leech. Poor boy falls in love with the little rich girl. 

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Tom Branson, was the peacemaker. He just needs to find another lady worthy of him.

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Downstairs Mrs. Patmore played by Lesley Nichol ruled her kitchen. 

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"You couldn't be harder on those potatoes if you wanted them to confess to spying." - Mrs. Patmore

She could certainly hold her own against the stiff upper lip of Mr. Carson played by Jim Carter too. And his dear wife Elsie does indeed have her hands full.

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Everyone loves a good love story like that between sweet and gentle Anna played by Joanne Froggat and Mr. Bates played by Brendan Coyle. They were so cute together, weren't they?

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I'm glad gentle Mr. Mosley played by Kevin Doyle finally got his chance to make a difference in the lives of the younger generation. He will make a marvellous teacher. And maybe there will be a little romance blossom between him and Baxter?

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"I believe that education is the gate that leads to any future worth having."

The villain, Thomas Barrow played by Robert James-Collier, I did not much care for in the beginning but then I began to see a very wounded young man emerge. What is it they say about hurting people? Hurting people hurt people and he certainly proved that to be so. By the middle of the fifth season, my heart had softened considerably towards him and I was routing for him by the end of the series.

"And you're wrong about me. I mind what people say." 

The children certainly loved Mr. Barrow and how touching the scene as they hugged him good-bye in the finale! I am thrilled that he was appointed butler of the great house. I think he will do a smashing job!

Courtesy of Pinterest 

There were so many fantastic characters in the story but I cannot cover them all. These are just some of my favourites.

One reason I enjoyed Downton Abbey so much is because it transported me back to a different time and place. There was a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. Love, scandal, joy, secrets, triumph, and we all felt a certain rapport with the characters.

It was a lovely escape from the horror of today's news of terrorism, corruption and the like, to a time of lavish lifestyle, lovely fashions and a day when good manners were still in vogue. I believe our world could use a large dose of good manners, don't you?

Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong century. I am very much a 'hat' person so I thoroughly enjoyed seeing those lovely hats gracing the ladies' heads and who wouldn't love to take a stroll through the countryside carrying a parasol? 

Courtesy of the Internet - www.hatsbygail.com

I admit that I didn't much care for the hair styles of that day. 

Courtesy of Pinterest 

Having been trained as a cosmetologist, I learned how to do pin curls that produced finger waves, among many other styles. I found the hair styles on Downton interesting but I'm glad today we can wear our hair sleek and bobbed, like I do, or shaggy, short or long and swept up in a French chignon if we wish. It was great fun to see Daisy cut her hair at the end of the sixth season and what a difference it made in her appearance.

My hubby and I adore antique cars. The automobiles used in Downton Abbey were amazing!  Such as this 1910 Rolls-Royce "Silver Ghost." She's a beauty!

Courtesy of the Internet- www.oldtimertips.com

We actually have a friend who collects antique cars, keeps them for a while and then sells them. One of these days I may do a post about them.

Now, would you like some tea?

Taking tea at a table set with fine china and flowers appeals to me very much. How about you?

Royal Albert Lavender Rose

Today I have set my table with my best china, flowers and candlelight. 

White roses and yellow tulips.

The teapot is Royal Albert New Country Roses.

RA Lady Carlyle

RA Serena

Aynsley

I am using an ivory damask floral table cloth. My hat and clutch are also part of the setting. 

There are cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches as well as some sweets to nibble on. 

Chocolate hazelnut raspberry tarts are easy to make.

Please join me and tell me who your favourite Downton character was. What did you most enjoy about the series?

Tea is Twinings English Breakfast tea.

A cup of tea warms the soul like a good friend. ~ unknown

Thank you to Julian Fellowes and all the fine actors for an incredible six seasons of Downton Abbey. It has been one of the most enjoyable series my hubby and I have ever had the pleasure to watch. 

And thank you my lovely friends for joining me today. I hope you all have a delightful weekend.


I am sharing this post with the following parties ~

 Tuesday Cuppa Tea
 Bernideen's TTCG Blog Party
 Tea Cup Tuesday
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi