Just a slight detour

Thursday, 31 December 2009 09:00

This is one place we hope to visit with Epiphany

But for now we visited it by car the other day, with our friends John and Carolyn. As I forgot to take my camera, the photos are from my phone so not very good quality. But it gives a flavour of what we have to look forward to! Can you guess the location?

Bancroft Basin

Normally in the Spring and Summer this is full of boats and there are loads of gongoozlers! But as you see the pontoons are empty (except of course the ubiquitous BW boat!) and there are relatively few people around - it was freezing cold! Last time we were here, in 2001, there were no pontoons.

So where were we?

Does the signpost help? It is by a lock - known as the Barge or Wide Lock.

Lock top gates

Here is an infamous person by the infamous bridge!

The modern bridge replaced a much an older one and many people were dismayed by the proposal. Despite protests it went ahead.

Previous Bridge (_^(c) Stratford Canal Society)

This was built 40 years ago by prisoners from Wormwood Scrubs and put in place by the Royal Engineers, the final installation was by prisoners from Birmingham.

A river is below the lock and the bridge (Known as Tramway Bridge, it was once part of the Stratford and Moreton Tramway, carrying coal and limestone in wagons) crosses the River, leading to a river walk and moorings for boats with a famous view!

River entrance of the lock and new Bancroft Basin Bridge

The view from the river moorings

Surely you know where we were by now! If not I shall put you out of your misery with this huge clue - a plan of the re-ordered, modernised theatre, home of the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company).

Yes - we were in Stratford on Avon!

Walking back to Bancroft Basin we watched (with others!) the trip boat negotiating the lock and reversing onto the River Avon.

Bancroft Cruisers

Hopefully we will be coming down the lock bow first when it is our turn!

Decisions as to where to go next on the BCN have been put off for a day as we want to investigate the sales! But I promise we will be moving soon!