What a great night's sleep....and a late morning for us. Actually a much needed perfect start to the day, since we all felt especially rested.
We had decided to head south and try to curb our castle hunting a bit. We were on a mission to get to Stratford-upon-Avon early enough to see Romeo and Juliet by the Royal Shakespeare Company. We ya know what they say about best laid plans......
Leaving Glascow we immediately were driving through some of the prettiest country yet. While talking about the rolling hills and the strange plants and trees we were seeing, someone noticed a "castle sign". Well, maybe just one more. So, quick as that, we were off the motorway and cruising through lamb country again on tiny little country roads...finally running across some unfenced land with sheep and lambs on the roads....strangely enough, just what we had been wanting to see! We drove through the grazing fields and hills, then through a forest...and finally over a beautiful little river we saw the directions to the castle we were in search of, and as we drove onto the property and up towards the gardens, we were so glad we had ventured off path.
This was one of the prettiest castles we had seen, and the best part, there was a Duke still living there. When we got to the guard house, the guard asked us what we were there for....hmmm....since I didn't think they would believe we were there for tea, we said we had just wandered off course and needed to turn around. We took long enough to snap some great photos as we were turning around in the castle driveway (if they call it a drive way) and then headed back to find our way back onto the motorway. Though it was a two hour diversion, it was one of the best little side trips we took.
Just before we got back to the main road, we went through a little town and decided this might be a great time to try some pub food. GOOD CHOICE. We got a steak and ale pie and of course, a fish and chips and a cheeseburger. For desert we shared the most decadent "sticky toffee pudding with custard sauce", which we had no idea what it was going to be, but will now never forget how good it was. The food was incredible, the pub was right out of a book on "the real Scotland" and the bartender gave us two big cups of ice to go!!! (Ice is such a treat for us even here, that it might have even outshined the great food).
Even with our detour, we still got to Stratford in plenty of time to see the show.....but unfortunately they were sold out. Still, the little city is picturesque and quaint....and we got to grave yard search a bit while heading to the church where William Shakespeare is buried. There is just something incredibly interesting about a cemetary with grave stones from the 1600s! I know, I know...still not a normal vacation....but we will get to London soon, and then I'm sure do some more normal things!
For the most part, we met the nicest, most interesting people on this adventure. It just seems like people go out of their way to help us or talk to us. Its so nice to run into that over and over. Well, tonight ended with an encounter at the hotel that was just the opposite of what we've been experiencing. The guy at the front desk.....well, to say he tested my nerves is an understatement. I even, at one point, asked him if there was a camera someplace because it was like a character actor was playing a bad British hotel clerk and I was being punked. I looked at Cait and Mom at one point, both looked like they were waiting for a bomb to drop. Later, Mom said she couldn't believe how calm I was being and was afraid at any minute I might go right across the counter and grab him by his collar. I was trying really hard not to be the "ugly American"....and I think I somewhat succeeded......but the whole situation was just proof that no matter where you are, there are just some people who should not be doing the job they are doing. Well, that and proof that some people are just flat dumber than a post.
I know I've said this over and over again.....but I can't stress enough.....as I listen to the sounds of Cait and Mom sleeping and reflect on all the things we are seeing, learning, laughing about....I know just how blessed I am. Tomorrow....we actually go INSIDE castles. Castles that we are supposed to be at! We don't even have to pretend to be lost!
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