After five weeks it is time to head back to the states. This is our ninth visit and even thought it will be good to get home there are parts of Harlaxton that will say with us until the next time - the cooing of the morning doves, the greenness of the landscape, the manor house, meals at the faculty table, the British people who make our stay so enjoyable. Kathy 
Kathy and I were invited to have high tea with Malcalm and Nita Knapp who live in Grantham
. Over the years we have developed a great relationship with the Knapps. Their views, stories, and antidotes of England are informing and delightful. Malcalm is a blue badge guide for Lincolnshire that I call on every year to take the students and guests around Grantham.
Saturday we ventured out to Ashby and roamed around the ruins of a medieval castle called Ashby de la Zouch Castle inhabited by Lord William Hastings and destroyed during the Civil War. We then went to the city of Leicester (the tenth largest in England) to check out some possible sites for next year’s class to visit. The weather was cool but sunny. Sunday is a going to be a day of rest and preparation for the final week of classes.
Friday we rented a car and drove west of here to Stratford-upon-Avon to tour Shakespeare’s home town. In addition we toured the Royal Shakespearian Courtyard Theater and attended ”Taming of the Shrew”. The theater is amazing, I don’t think there is a bad seat in the house. The play was a unique interpretation of the Shrew and the actors outstanding. The only draw back is the hour plus drive back to the manor - we’ve gotten too use to letting someone else do the driving! Trains and buses are stress free compared to motoring around on the left side of the road
Kathy arrived at Harlaxton on Wednesday, June 4. The two of us set out on Friday for the Cornwall corner of the Isle. Specifically we headed for St. Ives on the Penwith Peninsula. This is the furthest south and west you can go on the island. We found a nice B&B in Penzance and bussed around the peninsula to St. Michael’s Mount, St. Ives, Land’s End, and Mousehole. The villages were all charming and the landscape beautiful. This part of England has great beaches and the water is so clear and blue!
