Greetings from England . . .
I came to England last week to spend the Bank Holiday, or Whitsun, with my family and it was a real treat.
Don't worry, I am not going to write a third article about the royal wedding, even though the newspapers here are still full of stories about it. I suppose it is because it is the first positive news we have had in a long time, as Britain tries to come to some sort of agreement with the EU about the terms of Brexit, which will happen in less than a year – whether we want it or not.
No, I am not going to write about the wedding or politics, but what a joy it is to be here. First and foremost, we are blessed with glorious weather and Brits are taking advantage of the sunshine and the holiday. My sister and I have decided to drive to Stratford-upon-Avon, where William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights and poets of all time, was born, in 1564. The medieval market town of Stratford is only a one-hour drive from Leicestershire, where my family live, which takes us through some of the most spectacular English countryside.
Even though I live in Salzburg, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I find this area of Britain breathtaking and so different. I am used to being surrounded by magnificent lakes and mountains, whereas, in Warwickshire there are gentle rolling hills, as far as the eye can see. They look like a patchwork quilt made up of every shade of green imaginable. However, at this time of the year, there are also many fields full of rape, which look like golden blossoms in the sunshine. (I do realise that I sound rather poetic, but that is the effect Shakespeare has on me). Every now and then, we pass through a sleepy village where thatched cottages have rhododendrons in the garden. They look like pictures that you would find on a chocolate box.
We finally arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is about the same size as Salzburg and attracts just as many tourists, but doesn't seem to have the same summer traffic problems as we do. There are multi-storey car parks, within walking distance of the town, and there are usually free parking spaces.
There is so much to do here, but my sister and I always have the same plan. We first head to one of the quaint tea shops near to William Shakespeare's birthplace. It is like stepping back in time and looks as though the Bard could have enjoyed his tea in this 16th-century, half-timbered house. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing one of the delicious cakes from the bay window. After tea, (very British) we make our way to the river and enjoy a walk along the tow path to burn off the calories. It runs for miles from one village to the next and one can marvel at the hand-painted barges floating by – which remind us of the pace we should be living our lives at. There are many really good restaurants and pubs near to the river, where you can sit outside watching the swans and enjoying English cuisine – and yes, it is really excellent.
After wandering around the most picturesque town in Britain, with its old shops and quaint houses with black and white Tudor style frontages, I finally buy a book called "Quotes from William Shakespeare". I am very surprised at how many of them we still use today: I would hate to be the "Laughing Stock" (The Merry Wives of Windsor) a "Sorry Sight" ( (Macbeth) "Ina pickle" ( The Tempest) or be "sent packing" by someone (Henry IV). However, I always "wear my heart on my sleeve" (Othello) and love it when someone tells me a good joke and I am "In stitches" (Twelfth Night).
Stratford-upon-Avon is a wonderful place to visit, if you are ever in this neck of the woods.