Brixton

I did a tour of Brixton last weekend, but have only now gotten around to posting the pictures. Brixton is in South London, since the 1940s, it has been the home of the West Indian or Caribbean immigrant community. There were a series of riots in the 1980s, though now has become "trendy."

Part of the Brixton Market-been here since the 1930s, hundreds of independent shops.
The Communist Gallery shop-it wasn't open so don't know what was inside

One of the pictures in the shop window. It made me laugh.

An old Victorian laundry-still owned by the same family. It's been open since 1904.

St Matthew's Church-a Victorian church

The Ritzy-built in 1911-one of the first purpose built cinemas in the UK.

The Brixton Public Library

Stratford-Upon-Avon

On Sunday, I decided to escape the tourist-laden London to...the tourist-laden Stratford Upon Avon. Actually with the exception of Shakespeare's birthplace, it wasn't too bad. I hadn't been to Stratford since I went with Jessie when I was 13, many,many years ago!!!

The back of Shakespeare's birthplace-his father was a glover.
View of the birthplace from the gardens

Another view-I didn't get a picture of the front-too many morons!!

Kitchen-the dead duck isn't real!!!

Holy Trinity Church-where Shakespeare is buried

Rather obvious-the great one's grave.

Shakespeare's bust-supposedly the only one made from life

Ceiling of Holy Trinity

View of Anne Hathaway's Cottage from the garden

Another view of Anne Hathaway's Cottage-his wife

A few pretty cottages on the walk to Anne Hathaway's Cottage-about a mile outside of town.

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre-currently undergoing a restoration (actually it's a year behind schedule)

The foundations of New Place-this was actually Shakespeare's home that he bought as an adult, it was demolished in the 1700s, they've only started the archeological dig this year.

Hall's Croft-the home of his daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr. Hall-a doctor

Hall's Croft from the back of the garden

Servant's bedchamber from Hall's Croft

Main bedchamber in Hall's Croft

Paintings from the early 1500s in the Guild Church-they were badly damaged by an overzealous Victorian "restorer."

Looking towards the Guild Church-those buildings were 16th century almshouses-still used as flats by the Council today.

Old Coaching Inn

Another Timber framed building

Thatched pub