The seven of us (Sabrina, Shuying, Chris, Kenneth, Tony, Kenneth's dad, and I) went for a day trip to Stratford-upon-avon today. Was very excited, woke up super early... haha also partly cos I get hungry quite easily in the early morning, dunno why also. Called for a cab to come at 8.15 to pick me, Shuying, Kenneth, Tony and Kenneth's dad up from Elgar Court. The phone operator said they'll call me when the cab reach but they didn't leh... make me wait in my room for so long, in the end I decided might as well go down and wait. And it was there already, Shuying was also there. But we had to wait for the rest and the driver said it was 75p per minute for waiting time. Ouch! But luckily they came like maybe one minute or less later la, so not that expensive.

When we reached New Street station the rest were all there but we weren't sure if Imran was coming so we waited until 8.45. Then we walked to Moor Street station, bought our tickets and caught our 9.27 train to Stratford-upon-avon.

[haiya... really cannot take it already... i'm sleepy and cold. why is it so cold tonight?!]

The train journey was quite fast and it was quite funny especially when Sabrina was laughing all the time. The scenery was beautiful, green pastures... erm ok, got brown and yellow also la. Cows, sheep, trees... blue sky! If I ever get a chance I'd like to spend some time to experience farm life. Haha of course I'll feel quite isolated and sian without my laptop, and so far away from other civilisation also... but I think it'll be quite a great experience. Especially the peacefulness, tranquility... haha used to dream of living a quiet, simple life. Now not really, I guess it could get a bit boring la. But still want to experience it. Maybe for a week?

Just outside the Stratford-upon-avon train station was a large carpark where many locals parked their vehicles to sell things. It was like a flea market, everything was being sold there. There were books, antiques, toys, plants, fruits and vegetables, and all the things they decide they don't want anymore. The antiques were fascinating, there were clocks, pocket watches, sets of cutlery etc... haha even old coins selling for 20p each! Kenneth's dad bought fruits from one of the stalls, it was very sweet (except for the occasional sour ones)... nice!

Then we walked towards Shakespeare's birthplace and passed by another flea market. Even more things to see, and to get tempted by. Shuying ended up buying a very nicely decorated candle holder. The whole place was so beautiful, I love it more than Birmingham! I like the way the streets and buildings (or shophouses) kept that 'old' look but the shops inside were modern, selling things like sports wear, hip clothing, perfume etc. There was a shop selling cakes, pastries, oh no... haha too bad, don't get to eat take a picture also not bad la.


Doesn't it just look so delicious...

We also walked past a brass quartet of two trumpets, trombone, and tuba busking in front of a shop window. So cool! Don't know whether they bought arrangements of some pieces or did their own, but it was really good.

Nearing Shakespeare's birthplace there was a plaque-like stone on the ground labelled 'Shakespeare's Ghost', with a statue of a dog tied to a trophy in front of it. On top of the stone, there was a grey statue, apparently of Shakespeare holding a book. Then... the statue moved! It was just a man busking. People were putting money into the trophy for him, and he would bow to them in apparently the Shakespearean manner I suppose... haha. But some people stood very near him and tried to stare into his eyes. He would go still for some time, and suddenly reach forward to scare the people. Later when we were returning and passed by the place again, he wasn't there anymore.

[Ok, gotta go for music department socialising activites heh... shall continue this some other time]