Thursday, May 29, 2014
Today started with a full English breakfast. Including: French pressed coffee, tea, orange juice, “bacon,” egg, sausage, potato square, baked beans, steamed tomato, and toast. It was all pretty good, there was a lot of food. It was more formal dining than I’ve had in a while and getting pampered a bit suited me nicely. Added bonus: no dishes for me to clean.
I went with the group for the tour of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Today we went to: Hall’s Croft, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and after I went to New Place & Nash’s House. Each location had a different story, eventually contributing to the idea of Shakespeare as a whole. There was an odd vibe walking where Shakespeare lived.
Hall’s Croft was the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall. He must have been quite a doctor, because the house was quite large comparatively accompanied by a fantastic little garden and grounds. I liked hearing how Shakespeare’s writing and view of doctors may have been altered after his daughter was being courted by one. Little bits of information as I have mentioned begin to paint a picture of what Shakespeare was like as a man. You wouldn’t want your daughter to marry someone you thought ill of, and Hall and him must have made conversation.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace was the next stop. This was very busy and I found myself hanging back a bit so I could more enjoy my surroundings and actually appreciate where I was. It was a really nice house for the time and made me think how a young Shakespeare may have been inspired and how he still remained a country-boy at heart. Random side-note: the gift shop here was fantastic and had so much Shakespeare merchandise.
On our own we had to make it to New Place & Nash’s House. I went with Jen, Mariah, and Heather. This place holds an odd little story. New Place was the house Shakespeare purchased for his wife Anne. This would be the house Shakespeare would end his days in, and I saw a tree they most likely planted. New Place was demolished by a man due to a conflict with city government regarding property taxes. A few years back, I think roughly 2000s, they did an excavation of the site and found various artifacts. Most of this space was being renovated, however the grounds were absolutely tranquilly gorgeous, scattered with statues inspired by his plays.
The next thing we did was grab lunch. Fish and chips were on the menu, and we were told Barnaby’s is the place to go (there is a conflict between Tim and Jane as to where the better fish and chips can be found, Barnaby’s is Tim’s favorite). I had mini cod and chips (French fries). It was surprisingly delicious! In no way am I a fish person, but this fish was amazing. A light and flaky fish, battered, deep-fried, and doused with vinegar was top-notch.
In the evening we went to another play Arden of Feversham. What a production! By far one of my favorite interpretations of a classic text. I found it absolutely hilarious and a great way to bring a classic to a contemporary audience. I was a little nervous after reading the script how they would actually pull things together to become an entertaining experience, but there was a clear vision that worked diligently from start to finish.
I went with the group for the tour of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Today we went to: Hall’s Croft, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and after I went to New Place & Nash’s House. Each location had a different story, eventually contributing to the idea of Shakespeare as a whole. There was an odd vibe walking where Shakespeare lived.
Hall’s Croft was the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband Dr. John Hall. He must have been quite a doctor, because the house was quite large comparatively accompanied by a fantastic little garden and grounds. I liked hearing how Shakespeare’s writing and view of doctors may have been altered after his daughter was being courted by one. Little bits of information as I have mentioned begin to paint a picture of what Shakespeare was like as a man. You wouldn’t want your daughter to marry someone you thought ill of, and Hall and him must have made conversation.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace was the next stop. This was very busy and I found myself hanging back a bit so I could more enjoy my surroundings and actually appreciate where I was. It was a really nice house for the time and made me think how a young Shakespeare may have been inspired and how he still remained a country-boy at heart. Random side-note: the gift shop here was fantastic and had so much Shakespeare merchandise.
On our own we had to make it to New Place & Nash’s House. I went with Jen, Mariah, and Heather. This place holds an odd little story. New Place was the house Shakespeare purchased for his wife Anne. This would be the house Shakespeare would end his days in, and I saw a tree they most likely planted. New Place was demolished by a man due to a conflict with city government regarding property taxes. A few years back, I think roughly 2000s, they did an excavation of the site and found various artifacts. Most of this space was being renovated, however the grounds were absolutely tranquilly gorgeous, scattered with statues inspired by his plays.
The next thing we did was grab lunch. Fish and chips were on the menu, and we were told Barnaby’s is the place to go (there is a conflict between Tim and Jane as to where the better fish and chips can be found, Barnaby’s is Tim’s favorite). I had mini cod and chips (French fries). It was surprisingly delicious! In no way am I a fish person, but this fish was amazing. A light and flaky fish, battered, deep-fried, and doused with vinegar was top-notch.
In the evening we went to another play Arden of Feversham. What a production! By far one of my favorite interpretations of a classic text. I found it absolutely hilarious and a great way to bring a classic to a contemporary audience. I was a little nervous after reading the script how they would actually pull things together to become an entertaining experience, but there was a clear vision that worked diligently from start to finish.