Just a couple of things that made us laugh along the way….

The tour is over and goodbyes have been said. This was the tour of a lifetime. I have learned so much, and had such an incredible time.

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my blog. They kept me going, and made the whole experience of blogging my trip worthwhile.

Farewell.

Kay

There is sooooo much literary stuff in London but we have just scratched a teeny weeny surface. We visited the home of Dr Johnson this morning – what a fascinating man. This was followed by a tour of the recreated Globe Theatre, and a performace (really bad!!) of Romeo and Juliet at the Globe.

Our final dinner was at the Sherlock Holmes Pub, and this gave us time to say farewells, thank Susannah and become maudlin at the thought that it was all over!

BUT I will be back tomorrow with some Out-takes (I think), so log back in, just in case.

We travelled down from Stratford today, and then did a brief tour of literary Hampstead. Eliza de Feuillide was Jane’s cousin, and rather a significant figure in her life. There are other important literary figures in the same graveyard – see if you can read them on the plaque.

It was timeout for the rest of the day!

We are now in Stratford – it was quite a long drive from Ambleside which you can see if you have a look at the map.

But we had a couple of really interesting stops on the way. The first was the little town of Knutsford where Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel Cranford was set. Elizabeth grew up here, and we visited the Unitarian church (Brook Street Chapel) where she used to worship and where she is buried. Quite by chance we attended a service there, and it was like stepping back in time. It was a most uplifiting experience, and the minister delivered a most inspiring sermon. I think we are all going to convert to Unitarianism now – even the hardened Atheists!

Kenilworth was the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and he entertained Elizabeth I there for 12 days. The place is steeped in the most fascinating history, and the novel Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott captures the essence of the story. Believe it or not I read the book!

Our hotel in Stratford dates back to 17th century. We will be exploring Stratford tomorrow – right now it is time to go for a well earned glass of wine!

Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter were our subjects today.

Check out the photograph of Christopher Wordsworth who is Wordsworth’s great great great grandson. I was given a copy of “Daffodils” signed by him – that’s because I was courageous and volunteered to read the poem to the group.

Wordsworth lived at Dove Cottage with his sister Dorothy, and later his wife Mary joined them there. Rather an odd set-up. Rydal Mount was his home in later life. The gardens, which were landscaped by him, are virtually unchanged. The house is a museum – but we were allowed to sit in the furniture. Hence the photo of me in the chair.

We also went to his school, and again I was lucky because I sat in his desk – quite by chance. The photo is of his graffiti on the desk. Not sure if you can read the name in the photo.

Hill Top was Beatrix Potter’s home after she became famous. She bought many of the farms in the area, and has given them to the National Trust.

You cannot believe how beautiful the Lake District is! We have seen so many pretty places, but this beats them all.

What a fantastic day…. We stopped at the James Herriot Centre in Thirsk, then on to Casterigg. I managed to get a great photo because it rained suddenly and everyone else scampered to the bus. Castlerigg is a prehistoric monument consisting of 38 stones in a circle – for those who did not know this before. Like me.

Keswick was our next stop. What a pretty little town, and then we had the opportunity to walk round the lake at Derwent Water.

Now we are in Ambleside in the heart of the Lake District. Check out the house on the bridge. So cute! And also my great photo with the storm brewing.

Today was devoted to the Brontes. Our first stop was Gomersal where we visited the Red House. This was the home of Mary Taylor, Charlotte’s friend, and subsequently became the house Briarmains in the novel Shirley.

Haworth Parsonage should need no introduction. It was the home of the Brontes and the moors behind were immortalised in Wuthering Heights.

Haworth is very little changed since the Brontes time – it was like stepping into a time machine.

Very awe inspriring.