Friday, May 30, 2014
Shakespeare tour, part two. Today we went to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens and Shakespeare’s Grave at Holy Trinity Church. In the evening we went to see Henry IV, part two.
The walk to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens was about a mile. It was a pleasant mile walk through the surrounding neighborhoods and parks. The cottage looked like something out of a movie with a surrounding garden and forest. I was able to walk through the house and gardens, but my favorite part was the walk through the woods nearby.
It was a beautiful picture of hills, trees, and greenery as I walked into the woods. It was inspiring. I found myself thinking about how nature inspired Shakespeare. Appreciating surrounding beauty, making observations, then allowing them to influence, filter, and project through you came to mind.
The walk to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage & Gardens was about a mile. It was a pleasant mile walk through the surrounding neighborhoods and parks. The cottage looked like something out of a movie with a surrounding garden and forest. I was able to walk through the house and gardens, but my favorite part was the walk through the woods nearby.
It was a beautiful picture of hills, trees, and greenery as I walked into the woods. It was inspiring. I found myself thinking about how nature inspired Shakespeare. Appreciating surrounding beauty, making observations, then allowing them to influence, filter, and project through you came to mind.
With a long walk back the group found itself at Holy Trinity Church and Shakespeare’s Grave. There was something about being in the church where Shakespeare was baptized and buried that seemed so surreal to me. He walked here, worshipped here, lived here, remains here — now I’m here. It was a great deal to take in…
We went outside to the graveyard and watched as two of my flatmates performed a short scene from Tim’s play. This offered a different way to connect with the space and time. Being in a graveyard watching other performing may sound a bit odd, but it was truly perfect.
Another aspect of Holly Trinity Church that I adored was how connected to the Avon it was. The entire town has a connection to the river, but here it seemed almost sacred. As if the church was the jewel dazzling on the necklace of the river.
After the tour I went to King Fisher’s for more fish and chips, this is Jane’s favorite fish and chips place. It was a small restaurant with limited seating, however the fish and chips were great. I liked the fish better than Barnaby’s, but Barnaby’s had better chips. Once again, light and flaky fish that with a bit of vinegar became the best fish I’ve ever ate in my life. I don’t like fish, but apparently fish and chips is my thing — how ironic.
We went outside to the graveyard and watched as two of my flatmates performed a short scene from Tim’s play. This offered a different way to connect with the space and time. Being in a graveyard watching other performing may sound a bit odd, but it was truly perfect.
Another aspect of Holly Trinity Church that I adored was how connected to the Avon it was. The entire town has a connection to the river, but here it seemed almost sacred. As if the church was the jewel dazzling on the necklace of the river.
After the tour I went to King Fisher’s for more fish and chips, this is Jane’s favorite fish and chips place. It was a small restaurant with limited seating, however the fish and chips were great. I liked the fish better than Barnaby’s, but Barnaby’s had better chips. Once again, light and flaky fish that with a bit of vinegar became the best fish I’ve ever ate in my life. I don’t like fish, but apparently fish and chips is my thing — how ironic.
Once I was done with lunch I decided to wonder down to the river. I needed some alone time and it was nice to leisurely wander down the road watching tourists. I got a chance to go see a Shakespeare statue, walk a little on the other side of the river, and watch the swans, ducks, geese, and pigeons (always pigeons, always). Eventually I ran into Christian and Carson.
Carson and I decided to spend the three pounds and take a little boat ride down the river. It was a very short ride, however I got to see the town from a different perspective. A great compliment to the rest of the day.
Carson and I decided to spend the three pounds and take a little boat ride down the river. It was a very short ride, however I got to see the town from a different perspective. A great compliment to the rest of the day.
In the evening the group got back together and met for King Henry IV, part two. I liked part one much better, but it still was really good. The caliber of the productions I’ve seen while in Stratford-Upon-Avon have matched those of London.
Last night of having my own room and bath until I get home. Even though it was much bigger than the bed in Kensington, the bed here still makes me miss my bed in Salt Lake. I don’t have much longer in London, we are now getting to the final days, and the end of my stay here is becoming a harsh reality.
Last night of having my own room and bath until I get home. Even though it was much bigger than the bed in Kensington, the bed here still makes me miss my bed in Salt Lake. I don’t have much longer in London, we are now getting to the final days, and the end of my stay here is becoming a harsh reality.