Stratford-upon-Avon

Hi all

It's been a slow month for me. My return to Vancouver was pending, but not yet near enough to really start planning for, but at the same time it seemed pointless to start new things here in England because I would be leaving so soon.

Our departure is close now though, and I am re-energized. It really helped to head to Stratford on Monday; just being in a new place for two days was a great break.

Stratford is so cute, you almost can't stand it! The picture above is of our hotel, and there are LOTS of buildings that look very similar all over town. There are references to Shakespeare and his plays everywhere--you know, plaques on buildings saying "shakespeare's daughter's 2nd cousin's babysitter lived here". Well, not quite, but you get the idea!

Of course we got turned around on the unmarked roads driving up there and had a heated discussion about who should be figuring out the directions. Then in town we got so turned around trying to find the sights, and were getting irritable again, so we gave up and went to some pub built in 1596 for a pint and from that point on everything was better. We saw The Merchant of Venice that night. We thought it was a great production--minimal set but fascinating use of props and colour and music.

The next day we were able to walk along the Avon and then Mary rowed us for an hour among the swans--it was lovely! We took our time coming home and really felt refreshed once we returned to Peasedown.

So, ten more days. We'll post at least once more here to say goodbye and then will be seeing many of you soon, in person!

best,

Karen

Spring in England

Karen and I have been walking in the weekends following routes that have been around for centuries. Public pathways are part of the English countryside. We have a book that gives directions for circuits in our area. The fields are abound with spring flowers. The bluebells carpet the forest and also wild garlic. It is truly stupendous....

We have 2 weeks left. I have closed the books so that we can close the house down in Peasedown and get ready to get home...We do have a trip planned for next week to Stratford to see the Merchant of Venice, row on the Avon River and stop into a big castle. We also have some going away activities with people I have met at school. So we will be busy... But so looking to coming home.

love mary

visitors from Canada

It has been too long since the last post. Karen is in going home mode, and I am getting there quickly so I'd like to let you all know what we have been doing before we get home May 31. My Aunt Joanne from Winnipeg and my cousin Gay who is living in Calgary came for a visit the weekend after we went to Slaithwaite. It was great fun. We followed the same trip that we did with Karen's brother Jim-- Avebury which is a miniature Stonehendge and Lacock where we had lunch at a very old inn which has resident ghosts. I couldn't believe it so i had to ask of course. And the young woman who was our waittress confirmed it was true. She hadn't seen one yet, but there had been a medium who said that there was a young boy she had seen. Another staff person had seen an old man ghost. Go figure.... We didn't have the pleasure of seeing any ghosts.

We got into the Abbey where someone is actually living. They opened it up for a few hours. The Abbey, where Harry Potter was filmed, started out as a Catholic Abbey for rich women who didn't want to get married and their fathers could put them up in the abbey. Lots of choices in those days. And then when Henry VIII started the Anglican church so he could get a divorce and marry again, he cleansed the country of catholic abbeys, monastary's and some churches also converted to anglican! So the abbey was closed. And it was sold for 500 british pounds to some fellow who made it his home.

We also went to Bath and i finally got to the Roman Baths which was how Bath began. The Roman Baths are not funcioning today, it is like a museum where you walk around. It was quite the scene. Lots of baths. And there were people to scrub you... We did go to the modern spa with the baths which was quite relaxing. A pool on the roof and then steam rooms with different scents and then a pool underground. We were pretty relaxed after two hours of floating around.

We ate well and Joane taught us a new card game--kings in the corner which Karen and I play every now and again. We turned Gay and Joanne on to Rummy cube, the game we learned to play in Sinai with our Israeli buddies. Joanne and Gay loaded up their suitcases with things that we have bought over the year which i will pick up in Winnipeg when i go this summer for a visit.... it was a fun time.

next post will be of some recent walks we have been on...
love mary