Day Five: Stratford-upon-Avon

William Shakespeare, or at least his statue.

Of course there are pictures.  You cannot be in a place as beautiful as Stratford-upon-Avon and not fill your digital camera with as many pictures as possible.  Especially on a day like this... a lovely, temperate Saturday afternoon, buzzing with end-of-summer tourists who are all here to see a show, or visit one of the many Shakespearean sites that pepper the entire town.

Flowers in full bloom, RSC in the background.

An entire crowd of people sit on the lawn in front of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), waiting until 8 pm when a performance of Twelfth Night will begin.  A part of their Shipwreck Series, the stage has been separated from the audience by an honest-to-god moat.  The first image the audience is greeted with in the show is watching Viola climb out of the water onto stage, which is set as a beautiful shipwreck in all its frenetic glory.

The Fool - A statue in Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK.

There are statues all over town featuring some of Shakeapeare's best known characters, and some of his most beloved caricatures.  The quote on the bottom of the statue at left goes as follows: "The fool doth think he is wise.  But the wise man knows himself to be a fool. (As You Like It)"

River boat on the Avon.

The river Avon is stocked, fit to bust, with touring boats that go up and down the river all day.  With plenty of tourists in attendance today, I have counted over twenty boats at the pier.

Ice Cream Boat on the Avon River, in front of the RSC.

Not all of the boats are there to ferry and carry tourists however.  Some of them, are there to fill a much baser instinct.







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Tourists, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The Royal Shakespeare Company is the most popular tourist attraction in town, when it is in season.  The RSC clock tower is one of the highest points in town.  A few hundred yards behind the theater however, is one of my favorite places to visit.  Shakespeare's grave inside the Holy Trinity Church.  Not sure if a picture of that would be appropriate, but we will see.

No comment.

I had to post this.  I just... had. to.

William Shakespeare, and Prince Hal.

I hope you've enjoyed my picture blog this time around.  These are only pictures I have taken in my first week here.  We will see how many more I can take before winter arrives!

I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men. -- Henry IV, p.2 - Act I, Sc. 2