King’s Norton Junction, Stratford-on-Avon – Monday 2 July 2012
Saturday went exploring round the local village – not much to see.  Some houses are up for sale and the Agents have made a point of quote four bedrooms and three bathrooms unquote.  I thought of the film “Topsy-Turvy” (about Gilbert & Sullivan writing the Mikado) in which the builder of the Savoy Hotel reportedly asks why so many bathrooms, who’s going to be staying – Mermaids? 
Sunday, off to Church at St Thomas’s (the local village church).  A bit too “high church” for me as the service started with a ring on a bell, but no incense.  The building is late Victorian with patterns in different coloured brickwork.  It is also the opposite side of the canal to the main village (perhaps it wasn’t when first built).  Both days have been sunny with only a few cloudy patches.
Monday started at 09:15 in persistent rain.  The canal is very much like a river as it follows the contours so wanders all over the place.  There are deep cuttings on one side with embankments on the other.  It also appears too narrow for mooring; the few places where it would be possible are taken by boatyards!  No locks but another lift bridge (this one is electrically operated and the controls, fortunately, were on the towpath side).  This bridge is right next to a restaurant with large windows so people can watch in comfort!  Today I have completed nine miles to get to the junction with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, which I move onto tomorrow.