25-9-14 Stratford to Bidford

Quick walk into Stratford at about 0730 for coffee and croisant. Passed a 16th Centuary minstral going to work. (Where else but Stratford can you do that!) Then Andy and I were off about 0830 through the double lock onto the Avon. Like a bird set free from a cage Stourbridge Lion fairly skipped along now the water was wide and deep. May even have touched 6 mph!
Although the day had started grey the weather began to brighten. The Avon is a very different proposition to the canals with an abundance of birds. Andy, who is a bit of a "twitcher" spotted several bird species. He spotted a Raven,Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Cormorant, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, A Jay, Yellow Tit, Heron and a Buzzard. I spotted a pidgeon!
A few photos to give a flavour of the Avon.

The locks are quite heavy and very fierce but nevertheless some are in delightful settings.

 There are some very posh house on the way as well. Dread to think how much they are worth.

After about 4 hours our destination for today, Bidford on Avon hove into view.

Andy leaves us here via the number 28 bus to Stratford. Thanks Andy for he help wth all those locks! Good conversations too from being human, quantum physics, mortality, alternative reality and the quality of Midlands beer. And some of it to a backdrop of the music of Arve Henriksen-very atmosheric and another first for me!
Tomorrow there will not be to much to report on the blog as I am heading to London for a days work. Well it has to be done. 0611 bus from Bidford to Evesham Rrailway station for the 0649 to Paddington. Joanne is also coming back to the boat tomorrow afternoon so it will be the regular team of Joanne, me and the Stourbridge Lion from tomorrow evening.