now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer

Today we took the Oxfordshire Playbus (no picture of that vehicle, unfortunately) to the real Stratford, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the one back at home and there are definitely similarities. Mostly the mixture between swans and Canadian geese.

I have heard so many stories about the damp and the chill of the English weather, and experienced it only really for the first time today. Accustomed to the mild weather and slightly overcast skies, if not sunshine, I potentially didn't dress as warmly as I could have. The drizzling rain kept us to the museums, which, very conveniently, were all included in the one ticket which is valid for the next twelve months. So for any visitors who plan to come out here (wink, wink), I could procure a second one for you (nudge, nudge).

Anne Hathaway's house was first on the hit list (the kitchen still had the original stone floors from 400 years ago) and was followed by a tour of the *new* Woodland walk -- as opposed to the old one which used to be there?

Anne Hathaway's cottage

We were then delivered to Shakespeare's birthplace and set free to tour both it and the town, so long as we were at the Holy Trinity Church by three. I came within inches of a copy of the First Folio, published 1623. The house is filled with actors who are more than willing to perform upon request. We were given the "alas, poor Yorick" speech by one, and then were offered variations on famous poems from the point of view of a cat by another. Apparently there is a book for sale full of such things on Amazon, but I forget what it was called. The "death be not proud" by John Donne variation was quoted for us.

Next was a very quick stop at Nash's House, owned by Shakespeare's granddaughter's first husband Thomas Nash. Shakespeare purchased this house in 1597 and died here. Hall's Croft, next on the agenda, home to a physician and son-in-law to Shakespeare. After chatting to the very welcoming tour guide, we meandered through the house, observed the rather spacious garden, and then made our way to the Holy Trinity Church. Parts of the church (namely the tower) have been there for eight hundred years. The significance of the church in connection with Shakespeare? He has been buried there, along with members of his family, with a curse on whoever should move his bones placed on his tombstone.

me 'n Hamlet 'n poor Yorick

a tree taking over Hall's Croft

There is a link to more pictures from today on the side.

Now I am home again after an evening spent watching another two episodes of the Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth. It's all homework, really; we're just trying to get into character for our play production. Such dedicated actors we are.