German Christmas Markets!!

It has been a long time since I have posted here.....but there haven't been that many exciting things for me to share with you!
Yesterday night the Frankfurt Christmas Markets opened in Victoria Square and this year they are huge!! They stretch all the way from Broad street, through Paradise Forum, Victoria Square, and all the way down New Street to the Bullring. This area usually takes about 20 minutes to walk through (going one way)....there are literally hundreds of stalls.
We met up with some friends and enjoyed some German beer and some hot chocolate with Baileys (in the cutest little mugs...I stole mine and brought it home).

Stratford-upon-Avon (Mary Arden's Farm)

Mary Arden's farm, is a working Tudor farm in Wilcote (set in the1570s, complete with animals and actors).
Mary Arden was the mother of William, she lived here until she married his father and moved to the town of Stratford (William's birth home).

Stratford-upon-Avon (Anne Hathaway's Cottage)

Anne Hathaway was the wife of William Shakespeare. They were married when he was only 18 and she was 26. She was the eldest daughter of the Hathaway family and they where very well off. She was left a dowry for when she married while William at the time was overshadowed by his father's debt. It was thought that they married for love since it did not make sense financially for Anne to marry someone without money. They were married very quickly as Anne was pregnant and the exact date as well as the location of the wedding are still a mystery.
The Hathaway Cottage was still inhabited by the descendants of Anne's brother until the early 1900s, although plumbing, and electric were never added as they were very poor.

Stratford-upon-Avon (Hall's Croft)

Hall's croft was the home of Susanna Shakespeare (William's daughter) and her husband the only doctor in Stratford at the time John Hall.

Stratford-upon-Avon (Holy Trinity Church)

Holy Trinity Church upon Avon.

William Shakespeare is buried in front of the alter.
During the era in which he diedit was common for those who were buried in the church yard to be dug up after about 20 or so years and have their bones burned in a bone fire (bonfire) and the plot be resold. William opted to be buried in the church itself (17 ft under) and have his resting place be permanent. He even laid a curse on his stone warning all those who dare move his bones.

Stratford-upon-Avon (Royal Shakespeare Theatre...opened in the 1930s)