Saturday, October 11th
Today encompassed one of the trips included in our course fees of London, and was spent at Stratford Upon Avon. We got breakfast and were on the road by 10:15. The drive was only about 1 ½ - 2 hours, so it wasn’t too bad at all.
Stratford is a cute little town outside of London where Shakespeare grew up and spent a little bit of time after his career progressed. It is also where most of his family lived. ‘Upon Avon’ means upon the river.
We got to tour several different residences, beginning with a meeting outside of a statue of a jester, and then Shakespeare’s birthplace. The first part was a museum dedicated to the playwright, and the second part was a tour of the house with how they supposed the rooms would have been arranged and who would have lived in them. There was also a lovely garden outside as well. Each house we toured was a cute little stereotypical English townhouse, and then you would exit into a decorated, cozy garden.
We took a break for lunch, and explored the town for a little bit. Conveniently, Shakespeare Land was holding a ‘fun fair’ so all of the streets were occupied by amazing carnival food stands, and lots of rides. We went on a few that were actually rather exciting, and then left back for the continuation of our tour.
Next was the Nash House. This was the residence of Shakespeare’s grand-daughter. We toured the cozy building, and were lead into some more gardens. These were rather unique with the trellised paths and carved bushes. We relaxed and took silly pictures, and then toward the end, there were some small English boys fooling around, and one pushed the other and he fell backwards into some carved bushes. He was stuck in them since they were so thick and we all started taking pictures, which made it even more funny for both parties.
The next stop was the Hallscroft house. This was Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and doctor son-in-law’s house. After a tour of the house, again, we went out to the gardens in the back, and lay down relaxing for a while. So peaceful and cute in this unique little town.
After that, we went to Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare’s grave is, in addition to several of the relation which I have mentioned before. It was a really pretty church, and it was also interesting because we got to tour it during a rehearsal of some musicians playing on traditional Baroque instruments.
We were allowed a few hours free time, so we left for the fair again, went on a few rides, and got some dinner… meaning… we got nutella crepes… (this is one of the main reasons I am excited to go back to Paris! Oh French crepes… how I miss you!)
Around 6:30, we all met back at the statue of the Jester, and left for the performance of ‘Love Labour’s Lost.’ It was another Shakespeare comedy, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, however, I don’t think that anything can top ‘Merry Wives of Windsor.’ I absolutely loved that play. The set and the costumes were notably extravagant as well.
After the play, it was pretty late, and we left back for London, arriving around 12:30 or so.
Today encompassed one of the trips included in our course fees of London, and was spent at Stratford Upon Avon. We got breakfast and were on the road by 10:15. The drive was only about 1 ½ - 2 hours, so it wasn’t too bad at all.
Stratford is a cute little town outside of London where Shakespeare grew up and spent a little bit of time after his career progressed. It is also where most of his family lived. ‘Upon Avon’ means upon the river.
We got to tour several different residences, beginning with a meeting outside of a statue of a jester, and then Shakespeare’s birthplace. The first part was a museum dedicated to the playwright, and the second part was a tour of the house with how they supposed the rooms would have been arranged and who would have lived in them. There was also a lovely garden outside as well. Each house we toured was a cute little stereotypical English townhouse, and then you would exit into a decorated, cozy garden.
We took a break for lunch, and explored the town for a little bit. Conveniently, Shakespeare Land was holding a ‘fun fair’ so all of the streets were occupied by amazing carnival food stands, and lots of rides. We went on a few that were actually rather exciting, and then left back for the continuation of our tour.
Next was the Nash House. This was the residence of Shakespeare’s grand-daughter. We toured the cozy building, and were lead into some more gardens. These were rather unique with the trellised paths and carved bushes. We relaxed and took silly pictures, and then toward the end, there were some small English boys fooling around, and one pushed the other and he fell backwards into some carved bushes. He was stuck in them since they were so thick and we all started taking pictures, which made it even more funny for both parties.
The next stop was the Hallscroft house. This was Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and doctor son-in-law’s house. After a tour of the house, again, we went out to the gardens in the back, and lay down relaxing for a while. So peaceful and cute in this unique little town.
After that, we went to Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare’s grave is, in addition to several of the relation which I have mentioned before. It was a really pretty church, and it was also interesting because we got to tour it during a rehearsal of some musicians playing on traditional Baroque instruments.
We were allowed a few hours free time, so we left for the fair again, went on a few rides, and got some dinner… meaning… we got nutella crepes… (this is one of the main reasons I am excited to go back to Paris! Oh French crepes… how I miss you!)
Around 6:30, we all met back at the statue of the Jester, and left for the performance of ‘Love Labour’s Lost.’ It was another Shakespeare comedy, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, however, I don’t think that anything can top ‘Merry Wives of Windsor.’ I absolutely loved that play. The set and the costumes were notably extravagant as well.
After the play, it was pretty late, and we left back for London, arriving around 12:30 or so.
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