Back to Wilmcote and Twelfth Night

Today's canal - Stratford

It had rained heavily overnight and was forecast to continue for much of the morning and perhaps the afternoon. Actually, the weather forecast seemed to change about every hour - no doubt it was moving at an unpredictable speed!

Ready to leave the basin mooring

We left the basin in good time and the rain held off until we were through a couple of locks. Perhaps as a result of the weather, we had a good run through all the locks. Every one was set for us and we only met two boats coming down.

We urgently needed service calls and we stopped as quickly as possible at Valley Cruises to use the elsan disposal. It was one of their turn-around days so we did not want to take up space whilst filling with water.

Just a short distance further we arrived at Chaly Beate Bridge where there is water and rubbish but no elsan! A boat was moored on the water point but moved away when they saw that we were intending to use the stop. They had been sitting there for some time, they admitted, having breakfast and waiting for the rain to clear!

After filling up the water tank we set off for the Wilmcote Flight of 11 locks. With the rain even heavier we inevitably became soaked but it was strangely warm. However, crossing lock gates needed extra care as everywhere could be rather slippery.

Repaired quoin at Lock 49

Lock 48 Quoin to compare

We arrived at Lock 49 where there had been the stoppage the day before. The part needing repair was the steel angle running vertically at the top gate which makes the seal with the gate itself. Unlike other locks in the flight, this one stands out from the lock side. Whether this was a design fault, to correct a mis-measured gate or whatever, it does mean that the quoin is very vulnerable to being struck by boats as they pass in or our of the lock. (Unfortunately, the rain seems to have confused the camera's focus!) The next photo shows a more typical arrangement at the lock following.

At the middle section of five locks, they were all empty and no boat in sight so Christine walked ahead to open several bottom gates and then we whizzed up in no time at all!

Blue sky!

As we reached the last three locks, the rained stopped and suddenly there was blue sky - as this photo shows. Steam rose off the ground as the warm sunshine quickly dried everything. (OK, pedant's alert: we know it is is water vapour not steam, but you knew what we meant!)

It is not far from the top of the flight to Wilmcote visitor moorings so we continued until we could moor there for the next couple of nights. When we arrived we were only the second boat on the entire length - on the way down they were packed out. Even by night fall there was plenty of space to spare.

A long lunch break followed! By three o'clock, Mike and Alice were ready to 'do something' and we had, in any case, planned another visit to Mary Arden's farm. Christine, however, was keener on a nap!

It's dry here and I'm not moving!

So, the two of us walked the short distance to the farm - we took waterproofs as storm clouds were quickly gathering once more. As we watched the afternoon falconry display - with a different presenter this time - thunder rumbled almost continuously overhead. By the time the barn owl had finished (it was definitely not keen to leave the perch it found on top of the stage!) heavy drops of rain began to fall and we were invited to move into the barn where the eagle owl would be given a chance to display its flying skills.

Alice joined with a couple of others to help with the demonstration of how silently owls can fly, just inches over their heads. (Alas, with not being able to use a photo, we only have a blur!)

As it was still raining, the goat was brought inside to be milked. She was stood on a special stand which makes it easier for the person milking to reach.

Cider Barn

By then the rain had stopped and we could explore one or two parts of the farm that we missed on our first visit, including the cider mill and press.

Alice tested out the playground. Since it was only for children up to 10 years it was perhaps not as challenging as Alice might have wanted - but she did have it all to herself!

Ride 'em, cowgirl!

Almost time for the farm to close for the day so we walked back to the boat to get ready for the evening. By now the sky was completely clear and the forecast for a fine evening. Just as well as we really did want to go to the Twelfth Night presentation at 7.30. But first we had a meal and changed into some better clothes.

We carried our seats along the road and were surprised that, even at 7 pm most of the audience had already arrived and taken up their positions on the grass in front of the stage. We were fortunate, however, that there was just enough room near the front where we had an excellent view. Many people had come early enough to have a picnic meal - and a bottle of champagne or two!

Whilst a singer entertained the waiting audience, Mike realised that it was going to become rather chilly by the time the performance finished so he nipped back to the boat to collect three blankets. They were much appreciated later on.

Then the performance, by the Oddsocks Theatre Company, began. The prologue introduced each of the characters - most of the actors played two parts but quick changes of costume helped us recognise which one they were meant to be at any one time.

The production also included lots of music - songs some of which some of recognised some of the time! There was plenty of comedy, pantomime and slapstick but nevertheless a really genuine attempt to make the ideas of Shakespeare come to life. we got a real sense of what it might have been like to be in The Pit and have the actors involve us in the fund. There were many contemporary jokes thrown in and audience participation (ooh! ahh!)

The sun set and the lights became ever more important for us to see the action! At the interval we visited the cafe and took our drinks back to our seats, just in time for the second half.

Shakespeare's actors were all men so the idea of a man, playing a girl (Olivia), pretending to be a man was meant to get plenty of laughs. In this case, she actor playing Olivia was very short whilst her twin brother, Sebastian, was played by a very tall actor. This only added to the comedic opportunities.

In the end, all was well and the two couples sorted out their confusions. After enthusiastic applause from an appreciative audience, that had laughed almost contiinuously from beginning to end, all that was left was for us to walk back to the boat. Late!