Our Travel Journal

Today we went to Stratford-Upon-Avon in the county of Warwickshire. This is a beautiful town by the River Avon that is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the National poet of England. This thriving little Market Town was founded in 1196 by the Bishop of Worcester. William Shakespeare, the famous Playwright and Poet was born in this quaint little Town on April 23 1554 on Henley Street. It was in Stratford that he died on his birthday in the year 1616. He is buried in the Chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-Upon-Avon along with his wife, Anne and his daughters Susannah and Judith and his son-in-law, Dr John Hall, Susannah's husband.
The town is very pretty with elegant English gardens and timbre buildings, most of them still properly maintained since the 1500's. There are many thatched roofed houses like the one in Shottery, the infamous Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House in Wilcome.

Some attractions in Stratford that we have visited are:

Shakespeare's Birthplace on Henley Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon
This is where it all started. William Shakespeare, the Sweet Swan of Stratford, was born to John and Mary Shakespeare on the 23rd of April in the year of Our Lord, 1554 on Henley Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Properly maintained by the Stratford-Shakespeare Trust.

Today Alex and I took the car and went to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Alex planned the trip this morning. He wanted to take me on a long drive. He was in the mood to drive as it was a lovely day. He asked me how long it would take me to get dressed. He didn't tell me of his plans until I moaned about his hurry to get me showered, dressed and ready.

'I just wanted to take you to Stratford today.' he said. It took me less than an hour to shower and get dressed.

It was a beautiful, sunny day. We got to Stratford-Upon-Avon at half past twelve.
We had lunch at the Patisserie Valerie on Henley Street.

Stratford-Upon-Avon was very busy. We walked the Avenue and went into Pound Land. We bought several items there. I bought a bottle of instant coffee and a bottle of Coffee Mate. Alex bought a lot of Sweets.

We sat near the Wishing Tree at the Bancroft Garden at Waterside. The Bancroft Garden was full of students reclining on the green relaxing on a Saturday. Alex got himself a vanilla ice-cream with splashes of pepper mint from the Ice-Cream Barge along the River Avon.

We saw the special Topiary in the shape of a Bookworm that inspired me to write the book, 'Bartholomew' at the main square.

We saw a Heron on the road back home. As we rode past a field, the big Heron flew up suddenly. It was white and had an enormous wing span.

Shakespeare's Birthplace