England 2015

Another bright and sunny Cotswold morning greets us.

I could absolutely wake up every day to this view, this breeze, this temperature, etc… just lovely.

We have done so much on this vacation already, but the time just seems to be flying by. Only three days remain.

A lovely breakfast in the Charingworth dining room, and we’re ready to hit the road again with John and Mark!

We’re heading into Stratford-upon-Avon again today, but this time to spend the entire day touring the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust with some (gasp) VIP presentations set up for us.

John’s arranged for a personal presentation for us of some priceless Shakespearean artifacts in the Birthplace Trust conference room.

Our guides have laid out a long table with numerous items, ranging from period pieces (dagger sheaths and other household items), administrative documents of the period (deeds and other accountings), and actual copies of maps and other reference documents from the late 1500s and early 1600s that Shakespeare used for the historical and location details in his plays.

After yesterday’s ability to run along the castle ramparts from the 1300s, seeing old historical books from that time period describing the history of Henry V, a copy of Coryat’s Crudities (actual copy from 1611), and the only surviving copy of this edition of “The Hundred Merry Tales” (aka “Shakespeare’s Jestbook”) really puts a lot of time and history into perspective in just a couple of short days!

Knowing that we had just seen “Merchant of Venice” the previous Friday evening at the RSC, they had also laid out a few appropriate artifacts from previous productions from the 1700s.

The 1709 edition of the play, published images of various actors who portrayed “Shylock”, and a very unique “rework” of the play from 1701 were all part of the treasures that we were able to see (but not touch!).

It was really humorous, too, that our guides (2 relatively young ladies) had also included a copy of “The Klingon Hamlet”. It was a shared laugh (nervous on their part, until they realized that we, too, were “Star Trek” fans!) that was an excellent end to the presentation.

Besides – You haven’t enjoyed Hamlet until you’ve read it in the original Klingon. 🙂

After thanking our very friendly hosts, we take a walk through the museum, where one of the three First Folios that the Birthplace has in their possession is displayed in a special environmentally-controlled glass case.

It is the second time Kathy and I have seen a First Folio in person – the first time was actually in the vaults handled by one of the proctors with white protective gloves!

Other artifacts and displays are fascinating and really provide a nice look at life in Shakespeare’s time.

After a quick stroll through the gardens outside, we head into the actual Birthplace building.

This has been faithfully restored to what it looked like in Shakespeare’s day, with the possible exception of some of the dirt floors have been covered in stone.

On a positive note, LeAnn fulfills her “chambermaid duties” by finding Shakespeare’s chamber pot!

Low ceilings, sloping floors, and various Birthplace artifacts later, we’re off again!

This time … TO LUNCH! While our waiter was a tad clueless, the fish and chips were on point!

After lunch – time to head over to Hall’s Croft, home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr. John Hall. Several “obscure” medical items, including a giant jar of phlegm. Yum.

After Hall’s Croft, a must-see visit to Holy Trinity Church.

This is the church, in Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was baptized, where he worshiped, and where he is currently buried.

It dates from 1210 and is the oldest building in Stratford! You saw a picture of it from the River Avon when we were on the Countess of Evesham dinner cruise.

Going inside, though, is breath-taking. The architecture and stained glass are some of the most striking that I’ve seen.

Everywhere you look is something that captures your interest. This, too, could be an all-day visit, if we had the time.

But, alas, it is time to move along.

Now – to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage!

The home of Shakespeare’s wife, this is the location where he courted his future bride.

The gardens that surround the home are simply stunning and are in full-bloom!

With the exception of some “odoriferous” and quite noisy French teenagers on school holiday, it was an idyllic setting for enjoying the Cotswolds flowers coming out for the late Spring weather.

Enjoy this nice panorama shot of the Cottage (left) and gardens:

Next up is our last Shakespeare history target for the day – Mary Arden’s Farm, home of Shakespeare’s mother.

This scenic little farm does a very nice job of presenting farm life as it would have been in the 1500s and 1600s.

Different small areas, devoted to cooking, living, and the general farm life (including lots of animals!) are on display here.

Kathy is pleased to find plenty of doorways that even *she* has to duck under to get through!

But – as we see the geese being marched off to bed, it’s time to move on from this place, too.

Tonight – we gather Marianne and head off for an EXCELLENT Thai dinner! The girls and Marianne in her car, and I go with the guys in Mark’s speedy little Mercedes! 🙂

Lots of food (on a rotating serving platform so we all get to sample everything!), laughter, and more memories than can be captured are had.