Broadway here we come 19 August 2015

Well today we are off to Broadway,  great lots of lights and shows and music, sadly no it was to a quaint little old village for the morning. Trip was uneventful, village was pleasant place as one thinks, a main street with a green and beautiful old buildings and views across the countryside, again a gid example of how buildings used to be built with consideration to their appearance and durability, but for us an ideal photo opportunity again.

Chico also came along with us for the trip so we acquired a number of photos of him also, which will appear on Facebook, someone mentioned to me why do I still take him out as the fundraising is now finished and maybe he is a distraction from my more serious photography, I am tempted to ask on his profile or mine what people think, any comments on here also welcome, my own thoughts are that it adds a little humour to my trips out and can also be an icebreaker,  the expression on some people's faces gives the impression there must be something wrong with me, but this is countered by the opposite when a wide smile comes to some others. Is it a good sign that he still recieves comments from people on the posts on Facebook and no criticism in that sense, for those that wonder yes I do know that in reality he is a stuffed toy, but the conversation and fun so far makes me feel I should continue until maybe one day he runs his course.

Well back to the trip we met up with our new friend Arthur for a drink then back on the coach to the hotel and a rest before we met for a drink in the afternoon, sadly it was raining so my thoughts of visiting the grounds across the way were cancelled, I returned to the room to remove the dressing on toe and have a lovely soak in the bath and catch up with stuff on the internet.Whilst on there I looked at Booking.com and reviews for here, it was interesting what contrasting views there are of the same place.

Then off for a pleasant evening meal then a chat before returning to the room, Andy had mentioned concern about our trip the following day to Warwick Castle and accessibility so checked on internet and it seems that there are obviously some parts that he will struggle with, at the time it was built they obviously did not consider disabled access as an issue lol, only problem I can see will be if it is raining on the day. Finally spent some time reading and listening to music before going to sleep, the fact I am typing on here at 5.48am is am indication that I am struggling to sleep, so shortly will try to settle down again.

Our trip to Shakespeares place of birth18 August 2015

Had not slept well previous night partly due to pain in toe, found couple of chiropodists in Stratford so hoped whilst on trip there will be able to obtain treatment.
We had a full breakfast then on the coach for a short trip there. I was quite surprised at the size of the place I had always imagined a smal quaint village rather than a large modern town with some old buildings, I must say some of the well known stores and cafes had made effort to make their frontage appear mock tudor although very obviously very modern inside

First there was a free talk and walk round the Tudor Experiance in a building dated back to the 15 hundreds, it is amazing how this and some of the other buildings have managed to survive so long whilst more modern ones last a fraction of the time. The talk was very interesting but I found the settings a little tacky in the house.

After I left the other 2 and went looking for a chiropodist, got an appointment for later the afternoon, so went back to met up with friends and then took a series of photos round the town, including a few of Chico.

Whilst near the canal I noticed people were gathering for some reason, as I got nearer I saw it was because someones ball was in the canal and a young man had striped to his undies to retrieve it, kind and brave though it was it was also stupid, what if his head had hit the bottom or he could not get up the side again, plus the chance of picking up an infection from the water,  maybe a sign of my getting older and common sense prevailing

Later went for treatment seems is going to be an ongoing problem unless have operation so trip to Gp now planned on return, foot still painful, I had planned due to time of appointment to travel back on the bus, luckily as it was solved quickly by walking back quickly enough I managed to board the coach and then on return had a rest before the evening meal, also gave me chance to catch up with e mail etc, oh forgot to say I actually have purchased some postcards was going to send one to sister but had forgotten her address,  very embarrassing so may send on return home.

Evening meal pleasant, but again Andy and Brian returned to their room after. Chatted to Arthur for a while, could not settle so spent some time reading before going to sleep.

First day at stratford 17 August 2015

Did not sleep well as worried about oversleeping,  had set alarm which did not go off(  found out later had set for pm) luckily woke up at right time had breakfast finished packing so on time for taxi, which took us to coach point. On trip to Stretton where we were to travel on actual coach, driver said did not know the way Farnworth so assisted, but very surprised in these days of sat nav that he was struggling.
At Stretton had to sort out luggage labels,  place was very busy with not enough seating or staff to serve us quickly. Eventually boarded coach and travelled to destination, there were no stops on the way and we arrived at Charlecote Pheasant Hotel lunch time. We were greeted by assistant manager then off to our rooms. I forgot to say my left big toe was painful particularly when walking so not very good on a trip such as this, hopefully it will abate in time.

Hotel was modern rooms spacious and even better a bath as well as shower and free Wi Fi, Brian wanted to rest so Andy and I went exploring the area, there seemed to be nowhere locally to go to but there were buses to Stratford.  Noticed across the way in grounds of hall deer in  the distance.

After our walk went for a coffee, back at hotel, was surprised that there only was one member of staff serving behind the bar and for meals, so had to wait some time for the coffee to arrive, after this went to room for a rest.

Later met with friends and decided we would go into park to explore,Charlecote Hall, could not get through gate, there was a small notice asking people to go to shop before entering, did not understand until member of staff appeared on other side of road asking if we were members of National Trust if not we had to cross the road and pay to go in. The tone of the mans voice was not pleasant and it all seemed rather odd, why not have a prominent notice explaining the charges and process,  so we decided not to bother, but did have a look round their garden centre which had a pleasant selection of plants, again rather odd, a member of staff turned the sprinklers on which meant visitors had to try to avoid the spray from them whilst wandering round, sadly I got it wrong and had some water spray me, decided at the time not to complain but may take up in the future with National Trust.

Then back to the room watched tv until time to go for evening meal, when we first arrived had bren asked what time we wanted to dine so decided on 6 30, there seemed to be people sat about whilst others were in a queue,  got chatting to man in queue who was also confused about the process, eventually we were led to table but asked man if on his own if he would like to join us at our table which he did. Meal was pleasant and waitress service.  Afterwards Brian and Andy decided to retire for the evening, so spent a while chatting to man whose name is Arthur before going back to my room. The joys of the internet, spoke for a little while to Jane, was pleased to hear her daughter and grandchildren plus her pet dog had arrived safely for a visit,  then had a read before going to sleep.