We were fortunate that it did change for the better yesterday.
Our first stop in Stratford was to be Shakespeare's church but there was a wedding and we could not get in. Also it was pouring at that moment and my camera decided to malfunction! So no pics of the church (except I did get one of the bride trying to get into the church through the rain). Next our guide decided to give us a bus tour around the town until the rain let up a bit. (assuming it would) So eventually we parked and headed toward the center of the town. I guess I didn't realize that Shakespeare was born in town. His father was a glove maker and was fairly well off. Their home was pretty large considering the time (1500's). The home he ultimately lived in with his wife and children is no longer standing. But fortunately his birthplace was preserved.
The exhibit is pretty interesting in that you walk through a series of video presentations explaining the man and his work through the exhibits. They also show clips of film stars who have over the years played in various Shakespearean plays. Then you walk outside to a very beautiful garden that leads to Shakespeare's birthplace. You walk through the short narrow doorways and rooms getting a sense of what it was like to live in the 1500's in England. I thought the presentation of the life of Shakespeare along with the preservation of this VERY old house was well done. I and the students enjoyed it immensely.
When we left Stratford we headed for a beautiful area called The Cotswolds. According to our guide, people who lived in the Cotswolds during Shakespeare's day were not well regarded by the "townies". Their reputation was one of lower class farmers and perhaps a little crazy. They were mostly sheep farmers, i.e. the wool and they would bring the sheep and/or the wool into town to sell, they were not well received. Anyway that is NOT the case now. The Cotswolds is a very popular place to live and has been endorsed by royalty (Prince William often goes to the South Cotswolds) and Kate Winslet owns property there along with other famous Brits. It is spectacular rolling hills that go on as far as the eye can see with sheep and cows grazing in the fields. There are very few fences. The property lines are distinguished by hedges. As you can imagine, these hedges are very difficult to maintain...because they grow! There is a Trust in place to try to preserve the Hedges of Great Britain. Also there are gorgeous rock walls that line the roadways. The rocks are not held together by mortar or mud. They are simply placed in the wall in such a way that they are securely wedged and will not fall out of the wall structure. Again, British ingenuity utilizes the minimal amount of materials!
We ended up in a quaint little town called "Bourton on the Water" nicknamed "Venice of the Cotswolds" because of a river that runs through the town with several little foot bridges that cross over the water. Another characteristic of the Cotswolds is the very distinctive appearance of the homes and businesses. They are constructed of this honey colored limestone which becomes more creamy colored with age. The limestone is very plentiful and comes from quarries in the surrounding hills.
After a while in Bourton on the Water, we headed back to Kingston and ran again into pretty heavy rain. My friend, Cathy went into London for the day and she said she dodged the rain all day.
Today will be laundry and prep for the week. It will be very busy as it will be our last week of touring. The very last week we are here is reserved for the students to take their exams, turn in their papers and do presentations. We will, however, visit the police station our last week also.
So Monday is class. Tuesday is Greenwich and a production of "All's Well That Ends Well" at the Globe. Wednesday is class and Thursday is the Southall Gurdwara fieldtrip. Friday a few students go to Paris. I'm not sure what I'll do next weekend. My friend, Cathy suggested taking the train to Brighton. That is where the Brits go for their "beach trips" There is an old palace of George IV there also. Anyway, not sure yet what we'll do.
Happy Birthday Dad! Hope you have a great day!
More later!
The pics below are of Stratford upon Avon and Shakespeare's home.
Below are pics of The Cotswolds
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