Stratford-upon-Avon

**Sorry this is long - you might want to go and get a drink before you start!!

Here we are at Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. You could say that Stratford is all about Shakespeare and if you only had a few hours there it probably would be. But we got to see a lot more than a town full of places named after Shakespeare.

Our first stop was at Shakespeare's childhood home - where he was born. Before you enter the house you go on a little Shakespeare journey, which I quite enjoyed and it reminds you of just how famous William Shakespeare really is. They say that at pretty much every minute of the day there is someone - somewhere in the world - quoting Shakespeare in a school play, an English lesson, a film etc... or just everyday speech. I didn't really realise just how many every day terms we use today actually came from Shakespeare. Quite amazing really!

If you have ever said...

'In a pickle'

'In stitches'

'A laughing stock'

'As dead as a doornail'

'Eaten out of house and home'

'Neither here nor there'

... then you have quoted Shakespeare!! (And there are so many more!!) Quite amazing really!

Anyway, on with the photos - Not sure if I am showing you this photo because I am standing outside the Shakespeare home or because I am wearing my NEW bag!! Yes Mick let me buy another bag!!! I have been eyeing this off for literally over a month, but thought there would be no way Mick would let me buy another bag! But on the day we left I asked if maybe I could get an early birthday present before we go - because I knew this bag would be great for travelling (which I can report it is!!) so I took him around the corner to my most favourite shop ever and he let me get it!!! I love it - it's perfect! (Isn't he great!!)

So enough about the bag... this is THE birthplace of William Shakespeare.

These 3 were putting on a bit of a show out in the mall - I think it was a scene from Hamlet. And in the gardens out the back (where they are now) the guy was just randomly quoting Shakespeare!

Just a cute photos of the girls checking out the gooseberries in the garden...

At least I think that is what these are.... I have never seen one before!?

Just a little cuddle in the garden!

The house from the mall. Shakespeare's father was a glove maker (and other leather things) and had a little workshop in the house, it is thought that he would have sold things from the front window on the right - where his workshop was.

Hard to believe I was standing in the room where Shakespeare was born!

We then walked down 'The High Street' and saw this (picture below). There was a street entertainer all painted in white (I'm sure you have all seen one before) doing his thing - then he just turned this little sign around and walked off doing this very funny walk!!!!! I was quite impressed with his sign:

Me outside my favourite shop - 'White Stuff - Lovely Clothes for Lovely People!!! No time for shopping here, and we live just around the corner from the store in Taunton but I thought I would take the change to get my photo taken!! It is seriously the best shop ever. One of those ones that you just go into and say 'yep - I could buy that, that and that', which are kinda hard shops to find. The clothes and accessories are generally casual but also look smart, sophisticated and stylish! Me all over really isn't it!! Well, the wanna be me anyway! lol

We also went into Nash's House and the site of New Place. New Place was Shakespeare's Stratford home for the last 18 years of his life. This is also where he died in 1616. New House is said to have been 'a pretty house of brick and timber' and was one of the largest residences in the town. It was pulled down and rebuilt in 1702 and then demolished in 1759.

Nash's House belonged to Thomas Nash, a wealthy property owner who married Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth Hall.

Lani in the Knot Garden where New Place once stood. The grounds all around are, once again, just beautiful.

This picture if from the garden at Hall's Croft. Hall's Croft is where Shakespeare's oldest daughter lived with her husband John Hall, a wealthy physician (Elizabeth's parents).

The houses were all very interesting inside - and different from most of the big mansions we have been seeing. They were pretty old and built so strangely - crooked doorways and sloppy floors - I guess those things didn't really matter so much. Hall's croft had a few medical instruments on display - some of which looked a bit scary!!

We then headed on down to the church where Shakespeare is buried and saw his grave. He is buried next to his wife Anne Hathaway, Thomas Nash (Grandson in-law), John Hall (son in-law) and Susannah Hall (daughter).

I enjoyed looking a bit more into the life of William Shakespeare, and seeing and reading about some of the things that influenced his life. It gives you a greater appreciation of his plays.

Just a couple of things I found interesting:

He married Anne when he was 18 and she was 26!

One of his twins (Hamlet) died at age 11 years.

His daughter Judith had 3 children - all of whom died under the age of 21.

Although Shakespeare's career took him to London, Stratford is the place he was born, raised, went to school and church, met his wife, first watched plays, saw his children grow up, retired and died.

27 million people over 150 years have visited the Birth Place of Shakespeare.

And... do you ever say 'good night, sleep tight?' If you do - have you ever wondered what it actually means?? We found out whilst here is Stratty!!!

It wasn't something Shakespeare himself came up with, but it was during this time that this famous saying came about.... the children or servants used to sleep on a 'truckle bed' (I think we call them trundles don't we?) a bed that pulled out from under the main bed - the mattress used to lay on ropes tied to a wooden frame and every few nights the rope would have to be tightened - so you wouldn't hit the floor - hence the Good Night, Sleep Tight!!!

Amazingly, just a short walk from this busy Shakespeare town center is the popular River Avon Waterside. It was full of charisma and people enjoying themselves in all sorts of different activities. Strolls along the river, hiring row boats, canal boat tours, picnics, sport games, reading, live music and lots of 'people watching' was going on. It was a great atmosphere with the beautiful sun shining.

Before participating in some of the waterside activities, we headed off to the Butterfly Farm. I have never been to a butterfly farm before so I was quite excited, and so were the girls (and Daddy!)

As you would expect, there were butterflies everywhere!

The girls liked it for about 5 minutes, and then 2 butterflies landed on Lani's hat so the rest of the time they looked like this....

I must admit, it was kinda overwhelming after a while cause they were just everywhere - and it was really quite humid in there. (And we all know how much my girls love flying creatures!)

Emily enjoyed the fish area....

but after seeing the huge spiders (in glass) and this thing (not in glass) we really just wanted to get the hell out of there!!!!

I was glad that I didn't read the sign 'try and spot our 4 iguanas' until the end! Can't believe I was walking around in a room with 4 of these buddies!

The girls might find flies terrifying but they are totally fine with spiders.... weird!

Overall the Butterfly Farm was good, but it was way overpriced and I don't think we would have gone in if it hadn't have been an 'on the spot' decision! I'm glad we did though.

Back to the River Avon for a canal boat ride...

This isn't a great photo - but here is a baby swan - I don't think I have ever seen one before, so I got a bit excited! Love the story of the Ugly Ducking!

Couldn't end the day without a go on one of the Waterside Rides! Lani was so serious - she really thought she was driving!!!!