Friday, April 29, 2016

the Cotswolds 04/29/2016

Can you say "quaint"?  You should come to the Cotswolds.  If you live here and your house is not at least 300 years old, then you are living in new construction.  We have traveled from one medieval village to another.  The Cotswolds are in the Cotswold Mountains.  Their sheep are called Cotswolds.  I don't know if the name comes from the sheep or the mountains.
The Cotswolds had their heyday back in the 16th and 17th century.  The wool from their sheep was considered the finest wool available.  Unfortunately, the industrial age changed all of this.  Cotton was king, and the bottom dropped out of the wool market.  The Cotswolds went into a time warp.  The economy was depressed and never fully recovered.  The villages were trapped in time.  They never changed and many of these villages have not changed very much since the 18th century.  They do have electricity, cable TV, and indoor plumbing.  The restaurant we are eating in was built in the 1600's.  Our B&B is from that period.  Before it was a luxurious B&B, it was a stable.  A nice stable, though.
We also went back in time today when we went to Stratford on Avon.  We learned quite a bit about William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway.  Anne was 26 and Shakespeare was 18 when they were married.  Ann was 3 months pregnant when the nuptials were performed.  We were told  during the courtship period during that period of time, it was held in the presence of their family.  I don't believe they told us the whole story.
It is exciting to be here, to walk where Shakespeare walked, see where he lived.  It is a great trip.
when you want maid service

Plaque at the Hicks Market in Chipping Camden

Hicks Market. Linda's maiden name is Hicks.  Draw your own conclusion

Harry makes friends with Hugo

Not the King

Linda and Amanda

Linda and Amanda at the market

Anne Hathaway lived here

Anne's flowers

William lived here


Shakespeare 's jester

Mike, the bartender

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