Back to civilisation.

We decided to set of about an hour earlier than normal. I wish we hadn't as we ended up behind a hire boat and a single handed bloke. After the first lock the list was added to by a small boat that had spent the night in the pound and pulled out between us. It was a good job that the weather was good for locking.

Starting down the locks after Wilmcote.

There is a couple of flights with the locks close enough together to be able to set the locks ahead so I was able to assist by closing gates and filling locks so everything did keep going okay.

I quite enjoyed watching this moorhen who seemed to be enjoying the paddle in the by-wash.

Helen dressed for the cold, but she had taken her gloves off. Shortly after this the sun did come out but I'm not sure any layers came off.

It was a bit of a culture shock as we got to lock 51 and the suburbs of Stratford upon Avon. There was even more of a shock when coming out from under bridge 69 and into Bancroft Basin.

Luckily the trip boat had just winded so there was nothing moving.Helen had spied a couple of berths on the pontoons but it woluld be interesting slotting in to the position as we need to be stern to.

I managed to get the bow round so that the angle allowed me to get the stern clear of the FMC long boat and still have the bow clear of the trip boat. Then astern nicely into the slot and safely moored. The wind helped nicely.

 After a bite to eat we had to find and find some food as the cupboards were bare. We walked up to Aldi's as Helen wanted the backing stuff from there, plus loads of other bargains. After dragging all that back to the boat we had to find a bank and so left for a look around the town. We found the very impressive HSBC Bank and filled the coffers again.

We then wandered round to get our bearings and passed this hotel, some of which is original and old.

This is the Grammar school and Guild Hall.

Down Southern Lane by the river and past the theatre every lamp post has been presented by a city in England. After pointing this out to Helen she looked ahead and said the next one was from Hull. And lo and behold it was!! She said that she recognised it but I think the colours had a lot to do with it.

Here is the RSC Theatre that looks a bit of a hotch potch of a building. I looks like a cross between a church, hospital and a government building!

After this Helen took pity and led me to the Golden Bee, a Weatherspoon's pub, for a pint before going off and spending £20 to save £4 at the Sainsbury's. I think I may talk her into going out for a look round a couple of other pubs in town later.