Much Ado About Something

We spent three nights in the Stratford-Upon-Avon youth hostel - a converted Victorian Mansion with a great kitchen serving delicious, healthy (depending on what you choose) meals.

We  planned our visit to Warwick Castle (just outside of Stratford-Upon-Avon) well in advance – it is a very popular spot, being an authentic medieval castle that has been “Disney-fied” with all sorts of costumed characters and events on the castle grounds.  Mr. Sawatsky  bought us a combo ticket with entrance to the castle dungeon included -  a “horrifying” experience for all.  We had a lot of fun at Warwick, and most of us also went up into the little town and had an amazing English Afternoon Tea in a 14^th century tea house – The Thomas Oken Tea Rooms.  Great food, and premium tea, served in ample portions. 

After our Warwick experience, we were back in Stratford for Shakespeare’s Birth House, and the Olympic Torch run.  Yes, we planned it so we were in town when the Olympic Torch passed through.  Big crowds lined the main street, vendors hawked blowup torches, and people waved their Union Jacks with pride.  Our group was covered in maple leafs though, wanting to celebrate Canada Day as well. 

Another brilliant day in the UK.

On our second night in Stratford, we had to say bye to Steve, our driver for the last several days.

He was a fun guy to have with us, and everyone was sad to see him go.

In the cathedral church yard of Warwick.

We were early for our appointment at the Warwick Castle, so naturally we found a graveyard to hang out in while we waited.

Path out of the graveyard.

No caption needed.

In the Warwick Castle, one of the displays shows medieval people preparing for battle during the Wars of the Roses.  Mr. Sawatsky takes his place at the feasting table before heading into battle.

Sign says it all.

The  boys made some new friends with some girls from Pennsylvania.  Until they did this.  Then they were no longer friends.

The girls of Canada!!!

Michaela and Maddy chase ducks.

Sophie, now that she's 17, is no longer easy to impress.  Apparently the medieval trebuchet (huge catapult-like device) is a bore.

Tea with some fine ladies in the Thomas Oken Tea Rooms of Warwick.

It tastes as good as it looked.  I like how when you order tea for yourself here, you get a pot with four full cups worth in it, loose leaf, highest quality, served with lumps (not cubes) of sugar and milk.

Warwick Cathedral seen from the alley beside the tea rooms.

The Thomas Oken Tea Rooms.

Myself and my afternoon tea mates.

Getting ready for the Olympic Torch run through High Street in Stratford.

Shakespearean actors perform for us in the courtyard of his birth house.

The Bobbies were ready for a rowdy crowd.

This guy liked playing with the goats at Mary Arden's Farm.  Mary Arden was Shakespeare's mom.

Entrance to Palmer's House on the Mary Arden property.

A tudor farm house bedroom. 

The garden out the front of Mary Arden's house.  A woman lived in the house until 1979 - after which it became a museum.  She had no running water or electricity, and lived there until she was 82!

Brenna, Melissa, and Eva dress up in the clothing of Mary Arden's era.

The farms are quite extensive and still worked by museum staff using Tudor-era farming methods.

The sheep were very friendly.

This 600 pound long haired pig refused to wake up for his picture.  So all you get is this hairy blob.

Bye Steve!