As we approached the land o' Shakespeare, the weather cleared and we were greeted with sunny, but brisk temperatures. Here, a typical farm scene as it might have looked in Shakespeare's time.
Leaving the relative warmth of the coach, Sandi, Ivan and Stephanie try to absorb as much of the sun as they can, before heading into Mary Arden's home (Shakespeare's childhood home). Stephanie glances behind and checks for overly-aggressive farm animals in the stable area. Note one of the few forms of entertainment back then: Dangling ribbons from a Maypole.
Once inside the house, we learn more about the chores and duties required to live in a farm setting.
The tools and utensils are simple in construction, but were adequate for the task.
We were told of the servant's role and how it wasn't such a bad job, given that one received both food and lodging, as well as a small amount of money to spend any way one would like, perhaps on small luxuries like fabric or a comb.
We listened intently to our guides, who were dressed as they might have in Shakespeare's time, as they explained how a pot of stew was best heated by placing it next to the fire to obtain the best heat transfer, rather than directly over the flames as is often seen in movies.
More items from the simple lifestyle.
A bed in a warm but smoky upstairs room.
It was a blustery day, not unlike that described in a Winnie-the-Pooh story, with everyone's cheeks made pink by the blowing wind, except Owl's. Angus was his name, and together with Becky, his handler and our guide, they showed us how people of Shakespeare's time used falcons (in this case, an owl) to help them capture smaller, elusive prey to supplement their meals.
Given the proper command and signal, Angus would swoop down mightily, then alight on any willing volunteer who donned the thick leather glove. Here, Angus was too quick for the photographer and a bit too flighty for Ellen's tastes.
Jacob tries his hand at it and has got fellow students in awe of his cool and collected approach to bird handling.
Laura is amazed at just how fast Angus lands on the glove, eats the tiny morsel of flesh that is placed on the crook of the thumb, and before you know it, leaves with several powerful flaps of his wings.
Ivan thinks nothing of having this sharp-taloned bird of prey land on his outstretched arm. "It's a piece of cake," he mutters to himself.
Ross and Angus are completely at ease with one another.
As great as the appeal of Mary Arden's home is, it still had to compete with Angus's captivating show of flight.
As seen in this side view, Angus cuts a low profile. Alina has got Angus's landing procedure down pat.
Paul fastens the last button on his jacket in an effort to fend off the low temperatures, while Ana and Emily continue to enjoy the falconry work.
It was a great display of bird and (wo)man working together. Cheers, Angus!
We next visited Shakespeare's home. It is now a museum preserved and filled with furniture that would have been in use at the time. This house has quite a history and having changed hands a few times, the furnishings are no longer completely original. No photographs were permitted, so we will have to make do with an exterior shot. Here we are, getting organized to enter the museum.
We are now on the last leg of the Shakespeare trail, and our guide Nigel describes the use of extra timber on the exterior of buildings that were seen as a show of one's personal wealth. Even Shakespeare's parents weren't immune to this social pressure to keep up with the Jones's. Their house had multiple pieces built into the walls for others to see, but only on that side which could be viewed from the road. Way fewer wood members are seen on the inside.
A fading headstone seen on the way to Shakespeare's place of burial, but this one is not his. This cemetary can be found just outside the church where he is buried.
The interior is illuminated by ornate stained glass windows. Marrietta, Laura and Ivan stand right in front of where Shakespeare's remains lie.
Although we are even closer to the actual site, one can't quite see it in this shot. You'll just have to cough up your own 50 pence to see it on your next visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
On our return through the town, the last of the day's rays fell on Shakespeare's home.
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