Stratford At Last.

Wednsday 23rd July, 2014 in Stratford-upon-Avon.
We had fallen asleep last night with the curtains drawn back in order to be able to see the stars, which were lovely. One very agreeable result of this beautiful weather is that we sleep with the windows open and often the curtains left open (on the water side).
We were reluctant to leave our "Tudor Haven" at Wilmcote, but after a breakfast of kippers, we started off early as we have 16 locks ahead of us down to Stratford. On the way, we passed Judith and John's "Share" boat nb "Rufford" looking resplendent in this new colour scheme.

The first eleven locks in the Wilmcote flight were pretty and very rural with large fields of wheat ripening alongside.

The little bridges across the canal are unique to this waterway and promised great adventures as the grass-covered paths on either side disappeared into off the trees, inviting one to follow.

We had only planned to do these first eleven locks, but we needed water, diesel and a pump-out, so we went on to Valley Wharf Boatyard who, according to the guide book, offers all three services. We moored up on their service bay, only to find a large "No Diesel" notice pinned to the pump. Ah well, not a problem, we have enough diesel to keep going, but the "poo-tank" is getting very full - so we will just have a pump-out.
Sorry, they said, our pump-out is broken. Rats!! So it seemed wise to continue on to the centre of Stratford.
On the way, we met several passers-by, in particular a lovely family from the Wirrall: Barry, Clare and their two lads Ben and Alex. They all took a great interest, helped with the gates and went away resolved to have a narrowboat holiday soon!

The outskirts of Stratford, as one approaches on the canal, are not inspiring - mostly light industrial units, but were we in for a surprise! Unsure if we would get a space in the hugely popular canal basin in the centre, we moored up just short of the entrance and walked the last two hundred yards to reconnoitre. Wow! A fabulous sight lay before us, Stratford at its very best in the summer sunshine, the canal basin right in the middle surrounded by parkland, flanked on one side by the final lock and the river Avon and on the other by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Hundreds of people were strolling about or having picnics on the grass - just a magical sight.
First things first, we went to the Avon Trust Information boat and asked about diesel and pump-outs and the availability of moorings. They directed us to the local marina for services and explained about licences (you need a special licence for the River Avon) and mooring.
Just round the corner was the local marina and the office was in a building with a large name over the door that had M's heart racing:
Pashley Cycles!
Pashley Cycles are hand made here in Stratford, they are the Rolls-Royce of English bicycles and the marina office is their retail outlet. You can imagine that all thoughts of services were banished from M's mind at the sight of a complete shop full of nothing but Pashley Cycles. Heaven!!

However, if M sold all four of her existing bicycles, she would still be less than half way towards the cost of her dream bike - a Pashley Sovereign in British Racing Green with gold insignia. It was with great difficulty that R eventually managed to coax M away with the promise of a cold and delicious ice-cream from a very Shakespeare themed boat in the basin.

We sat for a while just enjoying the sights and sounds of the river and looking across to the moorings opposite the Theatre. The town centre is a delight with many charming buildings and stunning floral displays.

We intend to spend a few days moored on the river opposite the Theatre, although the moorings there are time limited, so for now we will stay a couple of nights where we are.

A visit to the theatre box office confirmed that the current plays are Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2. Not perhaps our first choice, but we understand that Part 1 has comical moments with Falstaff, so we have booked seats for the matinée tomorrow afternoon.
Today: 4 miles, 16 locks and 5.8 hours.
Trip: 90 miles, 84 locks and 75.8 hours.