Wednesday September 30

...and so September draws to a close with us moving on from the Midlands around Worcestershire, heading east toward Lincolnshire, the beginning of the Fens, and Grandpa Harry's boyhood home in Bourne. The weather continues its trend.....sunny, nice and warm, clear....not at all like the weather one usually associates with England. Travelling was pretty uneventful, just the usual number of wrong turns, misinterpreted directions, and looking for signage that wasn't there....pretty normal.

Our first stop was Stratford-upon-Avon, where we visited the church where Shakespeare was buried, not to view that, but rather to inquire about records, burial sites, etc related to the 'Pearce' family. Pearces were quite prominent in the Stratford area, silversmiths, jewellers, etc and the archives at the Stratford Upon Avon Archives  revealed numerous records with the Pearce name, so likely related in some way. Time limitations precluded our spending more time there, but we did come away armed with information that we can use to do further searches.

Shakespeare's home

Later in the day, we stopped in a little town called Oakum and visited Pearce Jewellers. This jewellery business was started by my great-great grandfather's brother in 1830, and was sold at the turn of the century. The current proprietor offered to try and get a copy of a history of the store done by the previous owners called Brooks, a number of years back. We gave him our contact information, but regrettably he was not able to track it down.

Pearce Jewellery Shop in Oakham

From Oakum a half hour drive brought us to the hamlet of Stainby where we will stay two nights before catching our train to Scotland on Friday. Our spot is the old vicarage called Jane Austen House & Falconry. The house and out buildings are now occupied by a lady who is a falconer, and one of the activities while staying here will be to experience falconry up close, VERY close! Our first view when we drove into the yard was about 15 falcons, hawks and other raptors sitting on their perches on the lawn, wow. We were met by Holly and her two staff Rachel, from Canada and Hannah from Ireland. 

Raptors on the lawn

Living Room in Jane Austen House & Falconry

Jon having tea in the kitchen nook

Kitchen with a the new gadgets, expresso machine, etc

Our room

Charlie, one of the friendly resident dogs

The house is quite large and goes on and on....stone construction and has had some renovation done to it, mainly the kitchen and bathroom, so it retains its unique heritage. In winter or cooler times, I would think it would be awfully cold....not exactly to Deb's liking!

Gyr Falcon, amazing!