The Bard, The Vikings and The Wizard

Stratford Upon Avon - Tudor era

William Shakespeare's birthplace 

As you can imagine, everything here is Shakespeare themed, complete with street performers. 

I was surprised by the high ceilings in the house. The walls were all covered by painted linens, stiffened with wax - middle class tapestries. William's mother had rolls of these as part of her dowery. 

His father was a leather maker and quite wealthy. Since leather production is rather onerous, and windows had shutters instead of glass, sales were often done through the window. Hence, the term window shopping (or Tudor drive through!)

Anne Hathaway's thatched house (not from the Princess Diaries!) She was the wife of William Shakespeare. Her family lived in this house for 11 generations!

Thatched roofs used to be the building material of the poor. Roof work brought the community together, like threshing crews or a barn raising. Now they are a popular status symbol for the wealthy because of the high labour costs.

York - Roman, Viking, Medieval 

Monk's Bar is one of the gated entrances into the old walled city. The last time the portcullis on this gate was closed was for Elizabeth's coronation 

York - the city where streets are called gates, gates are called bars, and bars are called pubs! Gate come from the Viking word for street. 

Harry Potter fans would love York. It's "Shambles" was the inspiration for Diogon Alley. And you can tell by the shops!

Walking on top of the wall

Leif and Saga loved learning about the Viking heritage of York. They wanted to practice their archery skills at the arrow slots in the wall!

Remnants of walls built by the Romans.

Our day concluded with a three course dinner in the attic room of the Chopping Block. The love referencing public executions in the UK for the goulish delight of tourists. It was supposedly haunted, but our group of 50 was noisy enough, if he was rattling chains, we wouldn't have heard! Personally, I was overjoyed by the sticky toffee pudding!

We stayed in Leeds, but with the late arrival and early departure,  all we saw was the hotel. The hotel breakfasts have been fabulous, with everything from pickled herring to marmite. Beans on toast to crumpets. I have to confess, after the whole anchovies draped over my Caesar salad, I've been avoiding fish. I'm loving all the grilled mushrooms though.

York Minster - Minsters are built on the sites of monasteries.