England Day 2

Warwick Castle

Warwick was built in the 14th century and lived in by royalty up until the 19th century. Most of the showing was of the later day, but many of the dungeons and demonstrations told of the medieval day. I enjoyed finding out about the history and what went on, and Steve loved to see the castle itself. The climb to the top was great...and don't let the picture fool ya...it's high up there. The dungeon where all the prisoners went was a little much for me. We walked the whole grounds and did it all. This was one place we didn't rush through. The grounds were exceptional and the castle amazing. Alec would have really dug this!

Steve and I just inside the Warwick Castle Gate.
Me walking up into the center of court of the castle.

The gigantic catapult demonstration...so cool!

On top Guy's Tower...never found out who Guy is? It took 250 steps to get there however.

Oh, Steve and I both made it. Look over out shoulders at the countryside.

Can you spot the guy in the white shirt...halfway up? It's Steve on his way up.

Steve in one of the many gardens at Warwick.

Eagle demonstration that ended up being really cool. The eagles were a big part of medieval day because they help the people hunt for food. One of them almost hit Steve in the head as he flew by.

Peacocks everywhere!

Stratford-upon-Avon

Why that is called that I do not know...it's crazy around here. Anyway, this better known as Shakespeare's Birthplace. Even though I don't know much about Shakespeare, you got admit, he is a little famous. Even though the his birthplace is surrounded by shops and stores...it still was his original house. It was a little disappointing because we arrived just as a school class from, I think France, arrived. Up until then Steve and I had enjoyed almost solitary sight seeing. It was a little crowded, but very doable. Since our time again was running out he headed right over to where Anne Hathaway grew up. If you didn't know...and I didn't...she married Shakespeare. It was so cute...the garden, huge garden that went for acres. My mom could have spent the day there...and we could have too, if only there was more time.

Outside Shakespeare's Birthplace

Steve and I at Anne Hathaway's Cottage...super cute!

Steve and I under what would be a rose trellis in July.

Absolutely the most darling tulip garden I have ever seen.

The Cotswold Hills

The Cotswolds are a bunch of "enchanted" villages along the England countryside. The background is wool was a huge industry in Medieval England and here is where you would fine the best wool in England. The area prospered and the finest homes and town were built here. When the rise of cotton came and the Industrial Revolution...the wool industry collapsed. And the Cotswold went into a depressed time warp. Now, tourist and visitors love seeing these darling towns where not much has changed. The ones we visited were Chipping Camden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Snowhill, and Broadway. I was stupid, tired by this time and dozed every time I blinked while Steve drove from town to town. Steve, basically drove solo all the to Reading with a snoring copilot. Remember that picture of the single lane roads...I am sure he need help at times. Oh well, we made it safe and sound to Reading.

Me next to someones house. They don't have address here...you just post your "sir" name on the outside of your house.

Steve under the "Chipping Camden" town sign.

Just someones cute side yard!!

Running late on our schedule, so this was our dinner for the night. Nothing wrong with pringles and a diet coke for dinner...right?

Just one of the darling thatched roofed homes in The Cotswold.

Here are the famous hillsides of sheep that you find all over The Cotswold.