July 29

London - Two Shows at The Globe

8:30am - English Breakfast at Jesmond Dene: bacon, eggs, sausage, BEANS (ugh!), toast, coffee, OJ
10:00am to 12:00pm - Laundry...there is a tiny laundrette just around the corner.  Clean clothes are good!!! :)
~Meantime...work on lines and paperwork for tomorrow's RADA test
12:00pm to 2:00pm - travel to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for matinee

Oh, look...Tower Bridge...as we saw it when we walked across London Bridge

London Bridge from below

2pm - The Globe Theatre for Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe (taken during interval)

Faustus was really sinister!  There were lots of cattle-shaped skulls, huge black dragon skeletons, fun fire effects, fake blood, torture, and an appearance by Lucifer himself!

The front of The Globe, which includes the gift shop, the cafe, the box office, the education center, etc.

The Globe that is recognizable :)

The advertisement for the play - I didn't get programs for any of the shows we saw because the theatres charge at least 4 pounds for one!

My best picture of The Globe from today!  :)

7:30pm - The set for All's Well That Ends Well - notice the changes from the first show.  Same day...only 2 1/2 hours difference.  Karen and I spent the time at Pizza Express next door having garlic bread, veggie pizza, wine, tiramisu, and Bailey's lattes...while we rehearsed our lines, of course!

I was able to sneak up and take a pic of the "ceiling" above the stage.  The theatre is open to the sky!

10:30pm - Our first attempt to capture the London skyline at night...too much railing in this one.

This one is better - I kind of like the reflection of the lights in the River Thames!

The tube station that we had to find was by The Monument, which I discovered was erected to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666.

This is the view from under The Monument...at night...not very good.  The lighting is not suitable for taking a picture - much more breathtaking in person.  I will attempt to get more pictures of this landmark during the day.

It is currently 2:30am, and Karen and I have been rehearsing lines and packing for Cambridge.  Since we didn't "walk" today like we have been, we are kind of wired and can't settle down to sleep.  Hopefully we will get some sleep tonight because we have to be up for breakfast by 7:30am and out the door to RADA by 9:00am (it is a 20 minute walk) to be on time for our test at 10:00am.  Wish us luck!

July 28

Day 8 - Iver to Putney Bridge

Oh, my!  Is the Queen having breakfast at the Tower Arms Hotel in Iver?  No...it's Tiffie in a fancy chair.

The last view of the Tower Arms as we departed on Day 8 of The Walk!!!

After getting back on track by walking about 1/2 a mile to Victoria Crescent, we discovered we would be following the waterways today - mainly the Grand Junction Canal and the River Thames.  That was the good news.  The bad news: "...from here onwards there are no Shakespeare's Way waymarks..."  You have to be kidding.

Here is the first bridge, No. 193.

Lots of bridges today - the No. 195.  On the flip side, an easier walk!  No hills to climb or animal poo to dodge (except for some rare dog poo).

Up ahead "under brick-built Dawley Bridge where canal starts to curve right with poplar trees..."

As we begin to close in on London, the scenery becomes less...scenic.  All the while down the canal, Karen is diligently working on her lines for our Shakespeare test on Saturday.  Good show!

We stopped to eat and some ducks were lucky enough to feast on part of yesterday's leftover sandwiches.  Lots of people along this stretch of canal were caring enough to feed the ducks and swans.

We tried to find an Inn but couldn't...but I did find a cute little doggie that hopped off his boat to be petted.  His owner said he like women!  :)

A serene stretch of land along the canal.

Karen still trotting ahead working on memorization!  The water is fairly clean here - later on I stopped taking pictures because of all the litter in the canal!

The Grand Junction Arms Inn was just on the path when it was time for coffee...and I fell in love with the pub dog, Guinness.  He laid on the floor by our table while we enjoyed coffee, cookies, candy, and any other treats we found hidden in our backpacks!

A more pleasant, scenic picture.  I couldn't see the Toys 'R' Us from here.  Did Shakespeare see that when he walked the canal?  I don't think so.

"Note bricked up archway in this wall - this was the entry to the Asylum Dock, where coal for the mental hospital was unloaded."  The Ealing Hospital was just behind the wall!

"Approach the elegant cast-iron 'roving' bridge inscribed - 'Made at Horseley Ironworks near Birmingham 1820' and turn right to cross it..."

"Emerge onto pathway to right-hand side of extensive Brentwood Basin, now with impressive flats over to left..."

"...turn right and right again to join pavement on right-hand side of busy A205 road to cross Kew Bridge..."

"...go under iron-girder Kew Railway Bridge, noting its handsome brick abutment ornamented by stone pillars and carved capitals..."

"Walk beneath Chiswick Bridge passing small green on right and keep on path..."

Lots of room to walk beneath here!  Not so lucky at other bridges...

"Beyond the Ship Inn go along short section of road before veering left..."  Nope - time for a Pimm's!

The river is beginning to curve back north...we are headed to Hammersmith Bridge!

"Go on raised concrete path under Barnes Bridge and keep on this raised path..."

"Go with care on path below Hammersmith Bridge - it has very little headroom."

No headroom indeed!!

FINALLY!  TODAY'S GOAL!  "Keep down...road on left-hand pavement, going under Putney Railway Bridge..."  We actually crossed the bridge to get to the Putney Bridge Tube Station and took two subways to the Jesmond Dene Hotel in London.

Here it is - the Jesmond Dene.  And it is late...about 10:30pm after we've checked in and settled in to our room.

The pedometer said: 21 miles; approx. 44, 350 steps; approx. 1,900 calories burned.

I'm starving...but too tired to eat.

The plan for tomorrow: 2 shows at The Globe...and laundry! :)

Here's some math for those who may be interested...

We have walked 111 of 137 miles of the Shakespeare Walk (81%).

We have taken 234,644 steps.

We have burned 10,032 calories.

We will finish the Walk on August 4; we only have 9 miles left.  :)

July 27

Day 7 - Marlow to Iver

This is Granny Anne's - our very quaint B&B in Marlow.  We are off on Day 7 of The Walk!  We have to walk a mile to get back on the path.

OMG!  These signs were in the front window of a business in Marlow.  No joke.

"Go straight ahead if you wish to visit the Parish Church..."

Here is the Thames again, the view from a bench we stopped at.  We needed to re-adjust our footwear and bandages.  Karen's little toe was being squished, and my left foot was being smashed just below the toes!  We doctored up our feet and were on our way!

I had to have a picture with the cows!  I actually reached out and touched one of the noses!  :)

Such a pretty cow!  OMG I love cows!

Another pit stop to refuel - we were really dragging today - and this goose decided to be snotty!  Well, goose, are you coming along or not?

Karen's Quote of the Day: "Look!  We could have a soft whippy with our spotted dick!"

Oh, the River Thames!  We are getting close to Bourne End and the marina.

Karen has taken off down the path!

This is the bridge at Cookham.  Lovely!

We stopped at the Ferry Inn in Cookham for lunch.

This is my delicious wood-grilled mediterranean veggie pizza!  It was fantastic!

Where is the pizza?  IN MY BELLY!

A cow-skin rug?  Did I mention I love cows!

We have decided we are done for the day - we have already stopped for coffee twice and can't seem to get the momentum going!  The taxi is on the way?  Time for margaritas!!!  Yummy!

The taxi ride was insane!  Here we are in our room at the Tower Arms Hotel in Iver.  Time for a nap!  We actually slept for two hours - we WERE exhausted!

Today was a sluggish day...

The pedometer said: 6.5 miles; approx. 13, 800 steps; approx. 590 calories burned
Total so far: 90.1 miles