We were scheduled for pick up at 7:30 before breakfast was open, so our agent arranged for “take away” breakfast for us. When I looked in my bag, I was happy to see a BLT, a small bottle of orange juice, an apple, and a small box of pastries. That was enough to last me most of the day.
The taxi took us to the train station for the 8:25 train to Preston where we changed trains for the 9:25 to Burmingham New Street Station. When we boarded the first train, we found our seats occupied. Apparently reserved seats means you have a seat in that car, not that you are necessarily sitting in that seat. You sit where you can find a seat. We were not altogether on this leg of the journey. We had to quickly get off the first train which wasn’t very easy. A lovely young lady helped in getting our big suitcases off the train. We found the same seating issue on the second train, not only that, but our luggage was scattered throughout our car. I will say one thing for England’s trains, they do serve good coffee.
It felt like a mad dash to get off the train, especially since our luggage ended up in different locations all over the car. I felt like telling everyone: “Watch out old lady brigade coming through!” I will say that the English people are very nice as people have been helping us everywhere we go.
We met Alan Foster, our guide for the day by the mechanical bull. Ozzy, the Birmingham bull, was left over after the Commonwealth Games; they had nowhere else to put it so it now sits in the train station. At least this is what Alan told us.
Trying to get to the van was an experience. He directed us to go upstairs then got a little turned around as this was the first time he had been to this train station. We stood by the cat store as he went to ask for help. We had to go back down to the first floor. One of the workers took us to this tiny elevator tucked away in a corner that only went up half a floor. At first, we tried three of us with luggage in the tiny elevator. With the door closed, the elevator refused to move. I stepped out, and the worker told us that only two people could go on at a time and had to stand between the redlines. I don’t like elevators and this one being so small did scare me. After finally getting everybody to the parking deck, we took off for our sightseeing tour on the way to the hotel, Lygon Arms.
Trying to get to the van was an experience. He directed us to go upstairs then got a little turned around as this was the first time he had been to this train station. We stood by the cat store as he went to ask for help. We had to go back down to the first floor. One of the workers took us to this tiny elevator tucked away in a corner that only went up half a floor. At first, we tried three of us with luggage in the tiny elevator. With the door closed, the elevator refused to move. I stepped out, and the worker told us that only two people could go on at a time and had to stand between the redlines. I don’t like elevators and this one being so small did scare me. After finally getting everybody to the parking deck, we took off for our sightseeing tour on the way to the hotel, Lygon Arms.
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We headed to Stratford-Upon-Avon to learn about the life of Shakespeare. Our first stop was at Anne Hathaway's Cottage, “the family home of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife-to-be. It is here that Anne was born and raised and where the young Shakespeare would have visited her during the early part of their relationship.” Alan guided us through the house and told us about life during Shakespeare’s time. He explained many of the idioms we say today: “Above Board: first used in the 17th century, reportedly from the idea that it's harder to cheat at cards if you keep your hand above the table, rather than hiding it in your lap”. Upper Crust: “a tradition in which bread was divided according to everyone's status. For instance, the burnt bottom would go to servants; the family would get the middle portion; and the honored guests would receive the top of the loaf, or its "upper crust."(Business Insider)
These are only two of the ones he said, he was shooting them out so fast. |
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After leaving the cottage, we headed to find lunch. Alan took us to Mark’s and Spencers. They have a grocery area in the back of the store to buy premade items. We all chose something and climbed back in the van. Our next stop on the tour was Trinity Church, Shakespeare’s burial place. Before entering we sat on the benches in front of the church and ate lunch. We went in to view the church and Shakespeare’s grave. The church was great but we didn’t see the grave as they wanted L 5.00 to view it.
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Next, we headed to view Shakespeare’s birth place. The house had docents in many of the rooms. One told us about gloves back in the day and allowed us to try on many of the different styles. Another docent talked about the marital bed and giving birth. Since beds were so expensive a woman would give birth on the floor in front of the fireplace. Children slept in the same room as their parents on a small bed that would roll out from under the parent's bed until they were five years old. This is the first type of trundle bed. Beds at that time were made of wood with thick rope to hold the mattress. With time the bed would sag and the string would have to be tightened. This is where the saying “Sleep tight” is from.
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We drove by New Place, Shakespeare’s retirement home and then on to the hotel. We settled into our rooms and went to find a bite to eat.
While we were riding along, Alan asked what our plans were for the next couple of days. We discussed the plans with him and by the end of the tour, our plans for the rest of our stay in the Cotswold had changed. Tomorrow we are visiting two lovely gardens that were not on our itinerary and then having afternoon tea.
While we were riding along, Alan asked what our plans were for the next couple of days. We discussed the plans with him and by the end of the tour, our plans for the rest of our stay in the Cotswold had changed. Tomorrow we are visiting two lovely gardens that were not on our itinerary and then having afternoon tea.