In Stratford you either turn into an alcoholic or you better write.

~ Christopher Plummer. This quote makes me laugh! :D

On this day (May 14th) we got up sooooo early. After taking the tube from Kings Cross to the Marylebone station, we caught a 7:23am train to Stratford! We got in at about 9:40am and went straight to Shakespeare's Birthplace. They have a little exhibition there and then we got to go into the building where the Bard was actually born!

The Birthplace.

I like this picture. :)

Then we went to Nash's House and New Place. Nash's House is where Shakespeare's daughter and son-in-law lived and New Place is the property that Shakespeare, himself, owned. Sadly, the house isn't standing there anymore, but the base structure is. And there are gardens, of course. There are gardens EVERYWHERE! Stratford is a town of gardens. They're beautiful and all over the place.

Patrick inspecting the structure of Shakespeare's house.

Then we went to Hall's Croft, which was the home of Shakespeare's granddaughter and her husband (who was a doctor). We went over to Trinity Church, which was under construction, but luckily we were still able to see Shakespeare's grave (also where a lot of his family is buried). I still think it's amazing to be able to stand in front of the site where one of the world's greatest authors rests. Incredible. Then we walked the mile out to Anne Hathaway's Cottage (really, it was her family's house, but her name is more widely recognized). :) We toured the house and the grounds (listened to some sonnets) and then walked back into town to the river, where we ate some ice cream, saw some boats and swans and statues, and in general satisfied our sightseeing needs.

Patrick seems to be disgusted by Yorick's skull.

We heart Shakespeare.

Then we went back to the station and waited a long time for our train back to London. We got back in time to have dinner at o'neills, which is my favorite London pub (even though it's a chain). It was a great day--full of Shakespeare!

This building is pretty darn cool. And, apparently, is inhabited by the police.

P.S. This is also the day where Patrick tried out a Guinness (he said it was okay) and where I bought a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (the original, un-Americanized title). :)