LP XL--Coach Tour

Loading up a bus, we left London for our coach tour through the United Kingdom. It will be a nine day trip to include cathedrals, castles, landmarks, and history. Our first stop on the way to Stratford-upon-Avon was Holy Trinity Church to see the famous sight of William Shakespeare's church and his grave. The small but beautiful church included stunning stained glass windows and a grand pipe organ. True, Shakespeare was but a man, yet a man with many literary gifts whose influence continues today.



A pleasant lunch of pasta and risotto was followed by a trip to Mary Arden's farm, where we saw how people used to live in Tudor times. Mary Arden was the mother of William Shakespeare and the daughter of Robert Arden. Seeing many animals, we were treated to a bird show and a large owl that entertained the people. Humbled by the world of William Shakespeare, we left to check into our Bed and Breakfast in Stratford. A brief rest and nice dinner prepared us for one of the finest theatre experiences I have had. We saw Twelfth Night in the new Shakespeare Theatre. Styled after the famous Globe theatre but with a ceiling and comfortable seats, the stage comes out forward into the audience. This provides a multi-dimensional feel to the show making the players have to project forward, side, and upward.

The performance was exquisite in all respects and somehow melded old and new together in a comical, but congruent use of modernisms while retaining the original language. The entire performance was at a high level and kept the audience enthralled all the way to the satisfying conclusion. Hilarious at times, touching at other times, Twelfth Night was a ideal way to end our first day of the coach tour.

Not wanting to leave the charm and cleanliness of Stratford-upon-Avon, we got on the bus for a long trip to York. On the way, we stopped for a look at Kenilworth Castle where we climbed on the walls, looked through the portals, and stood where people stood many thousands of years before. Looking around, I realized the castle was built as a fortress against enemies, as protection from outside forces, and as a comfortable though isolated location for the rulers and soldiers. Built in the 12th century, it was the site for the longest siege in English history. Our brief time there served as a reminder of how far we have come as a society. We no longer need to spend many years and great effort to defend ourselves against an enemy, to live in fear and to wonder when the next assault will be. We no longer have to depend on ruling bodies to make the decisions for our lives, to protect us from the evil being perpetrated on our territory. Do we?

With these thoughts, we headed toward Coventry where we saw the devastation of the 1940 Blitz. The destruction of the cathedral was a horrible desecration of God's house. As we stood among the ruins, I felt my heart pounding in fear as I projected myself back to 1940 and all the people must have felt. Yet the Cathedral was rebuilt next door and the town survived and the people eventually returned to their lives full of love and the richness of relationships, work, and homes. But they never will forget the destruction and the cathedral stands as a reminder of the evil and tyranny that was inflicted on the world.

A long drive from Coventry brought us to York, a beautiful hotel, and a walk through the ancient city. Called a ghost walk, we actually learned much of the history of the city began in Roman times and used by the Vikings. Today we visit the beautiful cathedral located in the middle of York. Called Minster, it is a sprawling and awesome Gothic structure that dates back to 627. Rebuilt in 1220, it is one of the largest Cathedrals in the world.




Scotland, here we come.