Sunday 21st April 2019



We went to the 10am service in Holy Trinity Church. What a wonderful experience. The church was so full there were people standing and there were four points for receiving communion. The vicar delivered a very amusing story using Easter eggs he was cracking open using a mallet, sending chocolate all over the place, much to the delight of the children.

The church itself is very impressive, the oldest parts date from 1210 although it is on the site of a Saxon Monastery. It was a privilege to be able to worship in a place where worship has been conducted for over 1300 years.  









 

After the service we were able to visit the High Altar, the site of Shakespeare’s grave and those of his family. Shakespeare’s grave bears a curse on anybody who disturbs it: Good Friend For Jesus Sake Foerbear, To Digg the Dust Enclosed Here. Bleste Be Ye Man Yet Spares These Stones, And Cursed Be He Yet Moves My Bones.

We returned to the boat on the chain ferry across the river, changed, picked the dog up and went for another walk around the lesser visited parts of Stratford. There was a vibrant Artisan Market on in the High Street and, again, there were hordes of people.











       
                                                      River Avon Chain Ferry




It was another hot day and far too hot for Harvey who threatened to collapse on us and we returned to the boat and spent the rest of the afternoon in the front cratch watching the world go by. The river is extremely busy and it was great fun watching all the activity. Rowing boats and motorboats, trip boats and restaurant boats, all vying for position and everybody having a great time. The grass area beside the boat was full of people enjoying the sun but we were plagued for a time with four young lads jumping on the boat until I found their parents. 
The next morning it was such a shame to see so much rubbish strewn across the grass. While the majority of people undoubtedly clear up after themselves, so many clearly don’t. Having said that the council here do a wonderful job in keeping the town looking nice.



Weather: hot.

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