I have been in Shakespeare's hometown together with my son in December 2008 and whilst it was very cold then, there was no snow.
We thought it would be better to set out early as we had all the trip down to Dover afterwards and it had snowed overnight.
But as you can see, it was a bit too early and the shops were still closed.
We felt almost as if we were the only visitors in town.
This building here above reminded me strongly of the typical houses in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
It was too early to taste those delicious cream cakes - but so mouthwatering to look at.
I laughed about those window decorations - chicken with glasses and noses.
Shakespeare is everywhere.
Eventually, the shops would open and we all went into that Christmas shop. It is very much alike the one in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, on the Romantische Strasse in South Germany. Käthe Wohlfahrt has there a huge house filled with Christmas items and it is full with customers all year round. This one also has Christmas tunes all day long and I wonder if the employees are all deaf?
A good reason to go to Stratford was the memory of the Laura Ashley shop. I went to get my wallpaper and paint and hope that it will look as good as I imagine it.
This snowman waited for us on a service station ( my preferred stop for a coffee in the UK is Starbucks) before Dover where we had a small rest before taking the ferry and heading home.
Back home it took a while to unload the car - these are my export goods from a certain shop in Shepton Mallet. Other items from Niki have found a new home here as well - sadly the train travel would not allow to carry it all the way to Hamburg.
They once belonged to my friend Frauke - perhaps I shall show them in a next post so that she can see by herself how much they feel at home here.
We could admire what wonderful EG had done all alone in our absence. The fire is placed in the piggery and it works well! (nur für Insider: ich nenne ihn jetzt nur noch Tausendsassa - der Mann kann einfach alles!)
P.S. If one looks carefully on that picture, it is the very moment of the day when the sun shines into the new window and makes its shadow where the old window was. J'adore ce reflet!
I hope long will our chimney smoke.
Wow, the building work looks amazing, well done EG. I haven't been to Stratford in years, but love Shakespeare and his works, I spent my childhood performing Shakespeare, it is such a shame so many schools teach it in such a dull way....and my Laura ashley catalogue just arrived!!
RépondreSupprimerBest wishes.
How wonderful to see you back, Posie! Will immediately have a virtual hop to your island :-)
RépondreSupprimerGreat to walk around Stratford with you. I spent my childhood not many miles away and much is familiar.
RépondreSupprimerLove the 'piggery' with its patch of sunshine! how special is that?
You definitely have a prize in your EG, who can do everything! The sunlight on the piggery wall is a marvelous effect - don't hang a thing in that space!
RépondreSupprimerYour tour of Stratford is surely unique. Imagine, so many photos with no other tourists!
Tausendsassa! Also das Wort habe ich schon Jahrzehnte nicht mehr gehoert. Herzlichen Glueckwunsch auch.
RépondreSupprimerIch bewundere dich einfach, wie du so unentwegt durch die Gegend schwingst.
Hello, dear Bayou.
RépondreSupprimerI was just catching up as I've been out of action for such a long time. And I can't believe you are just down the road from me (well about an hour's drive) Are you planning to meet up with any of the PC crew?
Stratford is wonderful place. Lovely photos. Sounds like you are having a busy time!
Take care
xx
That Straford sure looks cold – but it was nice to do such good shopping in England. Your new windows look great – it’s nice to see the sun inside the house.
RépondreSupprimerHow wonderful and how splendid the piggery looks, how clever to catch the sun just where the old window was!!!!
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