We left Wales and head east for Leicester. We had to go through Herefordshire on the way. There is a 40mile tourist drive through Herefordshire that takes in a number of Tudor villages. We went through one of them, but didn't stop, thinking we would come to another one soon enough.
Wrong!! Our route took us in the opposite direction, so although we saw one of these villages, we have no pictures of it.
this house (below) is actually in Stratford. There's plenty of these buildings there too.
We did go into a tea house for a snack in one and it was incredible. They are soooooo wonky!! the floors bump and slope in all sorts of directions. I don't think they would allow an Australian business to operate from one of these buildings as we are so obsessed with OHS and litigation!
In the "town square" is this monument to Shakespeare that was presented by an American business man.
Very impressive craftsmanship - like so much of what we have seen here.
I seriously cannot remember the name of this house (below), but we wandered through it. The furnishings were amazing. There was the most marvellous carved high chair that the tour guide told us they suspect had never been used. it may have been the piece that an apprentice made at the end of his 7 year apprenticeship and presented to his 'master' - hence the term masterpiece.We were not allowed to take photos inside, but of course have the ever available guide book and there is a photo of it in there.
Of course all of the furniture was staggering.
Andrew, one of the staff there, was very knowledgeable about Shakespeake (as you would expect) and he and Ray had an interesting conversation.
I gave the guide fella a 'clingy koala' and then I ended up discussing the virtues or otherwise of both British and Australian film, TV and theatre. Kylie Minogue and Kate Blanchett were top on his list, but Skippy made it into the conversation as well. If his colleague hadn't told him it was time for his lunch break we may still be there!
We headed off to find the Church of the Holy Trinity and Shakespeare's grave. The church actually overlooks this canal - very pretty. My first look at the canals over here and there was a 'lock' evident as well.
The picture below is of Shakespeare's grave (among others - it's the middle one if you're interested). It's in the Holy Trinity Church.I have to wonder why he was buried in church, given that he was not a religious or royal figure??
According to my new best friend Andrew (he of film, TV and theatre discussions) Shakespeare wrote to specifically please whoever was going to pay to see his plays and given the royal influence over society, perhaps he sucked up to royalty enough to be buried here. Perhaps if I read the guide book I will find out??!
Having walked - again!!! - enough for one day we headed to our hotel in Leicester. I do believe we are slowing down - finally!
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