And did those feet

Well, it might look like a bit of old floor, but this is floor that William Shakespeare walked on around 400 years ago. Many people wouldn't be impressed with that, but I was, and still am.

Yes, this morning we did the tourist bit and visited Shakespeare's Birthplace and if you really would prefer the traditional picture of the house, rather than the floor, it's here.

We got an early start and were waiting at the door at 9am, as it opened. We were first in and our Arts Pass got us in free, which was as well as it was rather expensive and you had to buy a combined pass which included some places we had not the time or the inclination to visit. We then went very quickly through the exhibition section and out through the garden to the house. We then had 20 minutes or so walking round on our own and getting the full attention of the two attendants, who were wonderful at answering questions, before, as I suspected they would, the school parties started streaming through. By the time we left I would think the house was full of kids of all nationalities walking round taking photos, and even videos, with their phones.
 
We returned to the exhibition centre and then beat a retreat out of the town. We stopped briefly at Anne Hathaway's Cottage and again got in free, so we didn't feel guilty that we didn't spend ages walking through the gardens and 'getting our money's worth'. We headed home.
 
A lovely couple of days, something I have wanted to do for a long time and a great Christmas present.

Hamlet
I could sum up last night's 'Hamlet' in one word - astonishing!
It was like no Shakespeare production I have ever seen. It may get criticised for being a little confused about the setting and casting and general production, but we both absolutely loved it. The sheer exuberance of the acting, the pace and the surprises, kept the audience enthralled. Fabulous! At least we thought so. It will be interesting to see what the press make of it tonight.