Dame Judi was here!

I was so excited about England's win over Paraguay I forgot to give you TRAVEL TIP # 5: never travel in Europe during a World Cup (of anything.) It's a pity I haven't taken my own advice...I was here in 1999 during the Rugby World Cup, then in 2000 during the cricket World Cup and now the soccer! The Poms are always just waiting for the Aussies to lose (anything) and then they let it rip! (BUT WE WON!)

Charlecote Park

I went to Charlecote Park yesterday, a large mansion and deer park near Stratford. Unfortunately on the way to the bus stop I had to go through the Sunday markets. The jewellery was...fantastic. I bought a few pieces of course...so much for my "spend-less-than-10 pounds day. I decided to do that on Monday.

TRAVEL TIP #6: When in Stratford, don't walk through the markets on the way to the markets if you want to keep to your budget.

Charlecote Park is famous for 2 things. Queen Elizabeth visited and slept there on one of her tours in 1572. And, more importantly in my opinion, William Shakespeare was caught poaching deer (he would have been in his 20's) and hauled up in front of the lord of the Manor in the Great Hall (I stood in there) and was berated by Sir Thomas I. Some years later, in his play "The Merry Wives of Windsor", Shakespeare lampooned Sir Thomas, basing the fussy Justice Shallow on him. That last part of the story really appeals to me, maybe that's why I like WS so much.

Charlecote itself is famous because Dame Judi Dench was born there. I can't help but think the close proximity to Stratford (about 15 minutes by car) had some influence on her choice of career. Both her father and grandfather worked at Charlecote Park.

The library very proudly boasts a second edition of the first folio of Shakespeare's plays (published in 1623...7 years after WS's death). But that was not on display. The books that caught my eye were a 100 year set of the Horse Racing Almanac 1753 through to 1853. Obviously they kept up with all the important things.

I had a great day there. The ground incorporated some lovely walks, a croquet field (I joined in a game with a family. Hilarious!), a huge outdoor chess set, and of course a choir singing under the trees (doesn't everyone have one.) I got sunburnt - again - I have had to put sunscreen on my shopping list! Incredible!!! (It's 30 degs today and storms. Ugh.)

Just in case this entry is looking a bit too positive, I will include an interesting fact about my BATHroom. Not only is it built for folk who like to sit down when they bathe, but it is also built for dwarves. The mirror on the cabinet is just above the basin, so about waist high. The only way to avoid getting a very serious crick in your neck when doing your hair, is to sit on the toilet and then twist around. I think I have had some interesting hairdo's since I've been here, and it may explain why I am sunburnt on one side of my face. But the bedroom mirror is at normal height so that's something...