The first stop was at Oxford. We did a walking tour around the main college, Christ Church and then through the streets around the college, looking at other parts of the colleges in Oxford, plus the original building of Oxford University Press. We didn't get much of a chance to wander around but had to stay with the guide. It would have been good to spend a bit longer to explore.
The next stop was Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. It wasn't what I expected, yet another touristy place. I imagined it to be a smaller, quainter place. It wasn't. We lined up to get into Shakespeare's house, and of course it was crowded, so impossible to take your time to read the information and look carefully at everything.
I had time to walk along the road, which is now similar to a mall...blocked off from traffic. It had lots of shops feeding off Shakespeare and targetting tourists.
Admittedly, I was disappointed as it seems that all of these beautiful little towns and villages are more and more turning into tourist hot spots. Yes, I know...I'm a tourist too but I wonder about if turning these places into such commercial ventures
makes them less authentic. Or maybe I'm just cynical.
Warwick Castle - this was such a disappointment!!!! The Castle is over 600 years old and has been the home to royals and families attached to royality. But the last buyer of the castle is the company that runs Madame Tussauds, so they have added a theme park in the grounds of the castle, aimed at getting families and kids in. SO disappointing!! They have pretend jousting, trebuchet, face painting, fast food in the courtyard...with the castle surrounding all of this. In the actual castle, the only authentic rooms were the Chapel,Great Hall and State Rooms, which were interesting and elaborate.
A few other people on the tour were also very disappointed, not expecting such a theme park. If I had known, I would have elected to go to Blenheim or Leeds Castle instead, but...oh well....live and learn.
Weather still nice but the forecast for the weekend is rain, thunder....so will wait and see if I need to get my umbrella out.
Tomorrow, have been set a task by Briggsy to locate a certain bookstore in Piccadilly so praying that the tube lines are all running as I've been told some lines are closed for maintenance.
