Monday 1 October 2012

Stratford at Last!

At 10 0’ clock yesterday morning our very good friend Rose joined us at our mooring at Wilmcote for the last bit of our journey into Stratford on Avon.  Her husband is currently cycling from Lands End to John 0’ Groats (and back again!!) so, not to be outdone, Rose took up the offer of a chance to experience her own intrepid journey. 

We worked our way down through the final few locks and got to Stratford at about 2 o’clock.  Due to the exceptional number of locks since we left Birmingham, Doug has probably walked 95% of the entire length of the Stratford Canal!

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Rose and Doug on the rear deck of ‘Chance’

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Rose and James on the rear deck of ‘Chance’ ! (in yet another lock!)

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Lock no 65 and we are descended upon by a coach load of German students who had obviously never seen a lock or a narrow boat.  We’ve  never seen a lock gate so quickly opened when we asked them to help! 

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The very low bridge as we enter the canal basin at Stratford.  It was a good job we didn’t have the coolie hat on the chimney!

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Triumphant arrival!

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‘Chance’ moored up in the basin – looked down upon by William Shakespeare.

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Just off out for a bite to eat in the evening – Rose and Doug outside the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre.

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Rose, Doug and James enjoying a very nice meal in “La Pasta”

After the meal we said farewell to Rose as she had to get back to two lonely greyhounds and to enjoy a phone call from her husband who was last heard of somewhere near Inverness!  We really enjoyed our day and we shall be meeting up again with Rose before we leave Stratford.

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