One day, with a sigh of relief, we left behind the big, crowded, bustling capitol city and headed northward in a van on a guided tour of the countryside. The van seats 16 passengers, but we were only three, so it was indeed a private tour. First stop, Anne Hathaway's Cottage at Stratford-Upon-Avon. There we met a well-informed docent who told us, among many other things, that not only was Shakespeare one of the greatest authors in the world, but also that he was good at business and died a wealthy man. We had a great lunch in town, and then I hustled alongside the River Avon to Holy Trinity Church to see Shakespeare's grave, with its curse upon anyone who would dare move his remains. He was baptized and buried there, alongside his wife, Anne, and other family members. Both Nancy and I liked the town very much and would like to return.
Next we drove through the Cotswolds, passed through some quaint villages, and saw some thatched roof cottages. Our tour guide said thatch roofers are scarce now and make very good money. Along the way, as a special treat, the driver took us to a couple of entrances to Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. The kind gate guard let us walk just inside the archway for a few photos.
At Oxford, we had just enough time to walk about the university campus a bit, and then I split off to find the River Thames, known here as the Isis, where the Oxford University Boat Club is located. I found Folly Bridge over the river, but I do not know where the rowing crews do their on-water training. Afterwards, we three tourists drank refreshing ginger ale at the pub, The Eagle and Child, made famous because it is where the Inklings, a writer's group, once met regularly. The Inklings included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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