Spiritual Succour, Goodbye to Stratford - and a Ferret?

Thursday 31st July, 2014 at Luddington
We have lingered too long in lovely Stratford!  We really must get going today as our 14 day River Avon Licence runs out on 8th August and we need to get to Tewkesbury by then! Our last morning here dawned bright and clear.

Since this was to be our last day here, M said she would like to attend the morning prayer service in Holy Trinity Church on the opposite bank. As the nearby little chain ferry was not yet open, we set off together to walk back into Stratford, across the old tramway footbridge and then back along the other bank past the RSC Theatre.
On the way, we photographed MM on the opposite bank next to the park.

At this point M went on to the church to seek spiritual succour, whils R went back into town in search something more physically sustaining (ie: Costa!).
When M entered the church, at first she thought the service wasn't taking place after all, as it was filled with tourists as usual. However, she eventually found the service being conducted in the Lady Chapel - and it turned out that M was the congregation! Stephen, the Vicar, and his three lay assistants were very welcoming and shook M warmly by the hand at the end of the service. Five of us in total!
Afterwards, M walked back to Costa and after buying (you guessed it!) just a "few bits" at M&S, we returned to MM knowing that it was time to leave.
We turned upstream initially to the water point and then, after filling up with water, went on upstream through the old tramway bridge (now a footbridge) to take a look at the upper reaches.

Then we turned downstream again, through the bridges and past our old mooring spots; taking a last look back at theTheatre as we passed. We were very sad to leave but we will cherish the memories of our time here.

The sun has shone on us every day and it truly felt like we had a lovely holiday in this very special town.
M said that it felt strange being on a river again; the last time was two years ago. The wide locks felt huge and vaguely intimidating. Luckily, we shared the first couple of locks with another boat also going downstream.

We moored up for the day at Luddington, a hamlet with no shops and no pub according to the guide books. There was a brief shower of rain and then nb "Jessica" moored behind us.
R was working on the computer, glanced up and nearly fell off his stool - he was being watched!

It turned out that "Pam" the ferret was on holiday with his owners on "Jessica" and was being taken for his daily exercise. He was very inquisitive and wanted to come on board MM for a look around.

M asked if he might bite; Cathy, his owner, said no - but he might lick you to death. Sure enough, he was very gentle and allowed us to stroke him. Apparently he sleeps 18 hours a day, but he is very active when he is awake and needs lots of exercise.
Today: 3 miles, 2 locks and 3.2 hours.
Trip: 93 miles, 87 locks and 92.7 hours.