I saw good friend Carolyn (Who greatly encouraged us to take this trip – Thank you very much!) at First Lady Nails today, and she mentioned she was waiting for me to blog about Stratford-on-Avon.  Okay.  I can do that.

Here is how the tour worked.  We got into Shottery, in Warwickshire, England in the late afternoon.  We lumbered off the bus near Ann Hathaway’s (Shakespeare’s wife) cottage, and we had a group picture taken.

It was too late to visit Anne Hathaway’s home, so we took pictures and were on our way.  We didn’t even get to visit the garden.  I would have liked to have spent more time here.  Andrew, our guide, mentioned that a couple years ago the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust paid a bazillion pounds to re-thatch the roof.  (I thought he said 200,000 pounds, but could that be right???)

This was a little courtyard at our hotel.  It was perfect weather to sit outside.

We walked to the river to find something to eat.  The fish place we choose, was the worst meal we had on our trip.  Bummer!

It was a beautiful evening for a stroll along the river.  We have food trucks.  They have food barges.  How cool is that?  Of course it was closed.

Then we passed this display window filled with yummy sweets.  Since we were still pouting about not being able to eat our supper, we were eager to go inside.  I wish we would have eaten supper here.  (No, I can’t remember the name.)We did take a lemon and an apricot tart back to the hotel.  They were delicious and made up for the bad fish and chips.

The next morning we toured Shakespeare’s birthplace.  It is interesting that there has been a Shakespeare Trust that oversees several homes associated with Shakespeare since the late 1800’s.

Sad story.  A man in town owned Shakespeare’s home.  Evidently it was often mentioned to said man that he lived in Shakespeare’s home.  He would reply, “No, the home is not Shakespeare’s home, it is my home.”  He resented people referring to his home as Shakespeare’s home, so he tore Shakespeare’s home down, and built his home at that location.  That is why Shakespeare’s home is gone.  Sad.

On one corner was a statue of a fool.  In many of Shakespeare’s plays there is a “fool” who generally is the wisest character in the ensemble.

Good quote.

We first toured a museum, and then visited Shakespeare’s Birthplace Home.  The English garden at this home was beautiful – just what I expected an English garden to be.

I think these are poppies, and they were huge.  Be still my heart.  I do love pretty flowers.

Shakespeare was born in 1564 to John and Mary Shakespeare.  He was probably born in this room.

Walls were highly decorated in the 16th century.  They were trying to emulate royalty.  (Some things never change.)

The next room was the kitchen.

The fireplaces were enormous.  Here is another decorated wall.

John Shakespeare was a glove maker.  In the 1500’s the finest gloves were made of dog.  I can’t bear to think about it.  At one time John was mayor of Stratford-on-Avon, but then he did wrong, and lost his position.

I believe this bedroom was for the children.  The rope on the beds would be tightened each night.  That is where we get the saying “sleep tight”.  I was amazed at the walls.

There were actors dressed in period costumes that told about the house and the Shakespeare family.

The musician was great fun.

Ever-Lovin’ bought me a souvenir – a Shakespeare rubber ducky to add to my collection.  Makes me laugh.

Blessings to you and yours,

In case you want to know.  First Lady Nails is at 819 W Arapaho near the Tom Thumb.  Daisy is wonderful.  Carolyn introduced me to Daisy also.  She is a good friend.