"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow"

Another busy day in the UK, and another day begins with a World Heritage Site. This time it’s the Telford Ironbridge, which was the first arch bridge in the world made with cast iron. It’s a nice-looking bridge—I was again impressed with what could be done at the time.

Ironbridge, Telford

Off to Coventry and a look at the Lady Godiva statue. Everybody knows the tale. But the whole story is that she was the wife of the Earl of Mercia and constantly begged her husband to lower his oppressive taxes. Finally, he said he’d do it if she rode through town naked. She did it and luckily (for her) her long hair saved her modesty. Click the link for a story on the first Peeping Tom.

Lady Godiva

Then, it was three of the five Shakespeare sites in Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway’s house, his birthplace, and his grave. Anne Hathaway was his (rich, older) wife. He courted her at this house, according to the histories. His birthplace was interesting too. There were re-enactors here: a glove-maker, actors practicing his plays, and a few maidservants. One of these was from Virginia—I told her I could tell by her accent she wasn’t from these (Warwickshire County) parts. The grave was the least interesting, but it had to be seen. Anne is buried beside him.

Anne Hathaway House

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Shakespeare's Grave

Another thing that had to be done was dinner at McDonald’s. I like to visit one in every country I travel in to see how we plan on turning everyone into fat, happy Americans. They’re always crowded when I visit, and this one was no exception.

It's 10:01 PM (GMT) in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK