Stratford on Avon (back to the crowds and another free pump out)

Monday saw us cruise back the nine miles and 18 locks from Preston Bagot out onto the River Avon at Stratford again.

Gongoozlers galore watching us lock down onto the river

On the way we stopped at the boatyard in Wootton Wawen for gas, fuel and a pump out.  This would ensure we were tip top (or empty!) for our next fortnight on the river where services are even fewer and farther between.

After leaving the boatyard, Karen popped her head out (she had stayed inside to do a couple of hours’ work) to ask why I didn’t have a pump out.  Of course, I said I did, but she said the tank was still full.  Stupidly I hadn’t checked before leaving; they did such a good job last time that I didn’t bother checking.  I rang them up and they now have a note that they owe us a pump out when we next go back.

Once Karen had finished her work she walked Buddy alongside to the Wilmcote flight.

Coming out of Wilmcote village

Buddy wasn’t overly impressed with walking – he normally keeps ahead of us but he was lagging behind instead.  We feel it was because we gave him a hectic weekend – the walking was OK but we kept him up past his five o’clock bedtime because of Hippyfest.  Once we moored up in Stratford he was back to his normal self, eager to run around and play with all the other dogs.

Buddy lagging behind on the towpath

We stopped at the boatyard on the outside of Stratford and, once again, Steve let us have a free pump out as he had no one available to help.  Everyone was busy handing boats over to the next lot of hirers.

We arrived at Stratford basin and the town was rammed with people.  It was probably extra busy as the streets had been closed for two days due to a classic and super car show.  I never really like going through the basin as there is nowhere to tie up whilst waiting for the lock.  There is usually quite a breeze coming off the river as well so it can make it difficult to hold the boat steady in the middle of the basin – especially if there is a large crowd watching of course.

Waiting by the restaurant boat whilst Karen set the last lock of the day

Many of the locks leading down to Stratford leak quite badly and consequently the gates can seem really heavy to open and close, also many of the locks take a long time to fill.   All in all, it was quite a tiring three days having decided to take the boat up to Preston Bagot and back for the festival but it was great fun and we both really enjoyed it.  Mind you we were pleased to moor up and just relax for the rest of the day. 

We are now moored a bit further down from the RSC theatre than we had been for the last fortnight

Karen found another wild garlic recipe and made a delicious wild garlic and chorizo tortilla for dinner.

Preston Bagot (last day of hippyfest)

On Sunday we worked out a six mile circular walk taking in a couple of lovely villages/hamlets like Holywell and Yarningale.  We were on the hunt for wild garlic as it really is the season now and the pungent smell is wonderful to sense in the early evenings along the cut at the moment.

Gathering the leaves

Karen is going to make some pesto with some of the leaves – the first time we have tried this recipe.  Not only does it use wild garlic leaves instead of basil it also uses walnuts instead of pine nuts.

Setting out away from the cut at Preston Bagot top lock.

I have probably mentioned many times the barrel roofed lock cottages on the Stratford canal and how very few are unimproved and most have been greatly extended.  Some people think the one at Preston Bagot is a really pretty extension whilst others, us included, think it’s ugly.

You can see the original barrel roofed cottage on the far left so you can see the extent of the extension

We had a gentle climb to the top of Yarningale common and then headed out across more fields towards Lowsonford.

Yarningale common

Friendly Shetland pony

We passed several secluded houses including one abandoned one.  When we see these places, Karen always remarks that there should be an app that allows you to pin a particular property so that you get alerted when it comes on the market.

Abandoned remote house

Although the house was in a great remote location that we would like, we could just hear the hum of the M40 in the background so that rather spoilt it for us.

Riot of different wild flowers in the hedgerow

Karen cooked a really good wild garlic, chilli, fennel and broken sausage fusilli in the late afternoon and then we walked back to the Beltane Bash to see Liz and Blair on stage with their band, Dissident Noise Factory.

Fortunately Karen remembered at the last minute to bring the raffle tickets that we were handed in exchange for our entrance fee on Saturday so we could get back in.

The bash from the little lane that leads down to it

The band were really good and packed out the main tent.  We also met a few people we knew so were able to have a catch up with them too. 

The band getting ready

The band in action – Liz on the fiddle and Blair on the bass guitar next to her

I think the couple facing us are the landowners and the guy was acting like he might be a future Michael Beavis

We didn't feel we could take pictures of the horse drawn caravans and other living vehicles as they are people's homes.  It's always a bit odd when we find people taking pictures of our boat.

Home brew bar in the middle

Today we are setting back off to Stratford – just 9 miles and 18 locks so a nice quiet day to end the long weekend.