Bonus daze

Last night John came across a little pool of melancholy … no options, no decisions, no knowing … it was tempting to paddle but I reminded him of our surroundings and 'the bonus days', where there is much to explore.


Yesterday we travelled by bus to Stratford-upon-Avon, a town with such a romantic name that evoked many memories of my early days at school. Although it is only 17 miles from Moreton, our scenic route took in ten other villages and took 1 ¼ hours, and was such a pleasant way of travelling.


On arrival we found the main street closed to traffic as a Christmas market was underway, the tents and awnings quite festive, the stall-holdlers shivering and the aroma of warm food reminding us it was well past lunch time.


We performed our usual trick of asking a local for advice. The helpful fellow could have stepped directly out of one of Shakespeare’s plays, unkempt and toothless he directed us to “The Garrick” where his description of good food was correct and we spent the wintry afternoon partaking of victuals - my mulled wine, vegetable soup and spotted dick pudding with custard was delicious!


After strolling around it was soon time to be milling with the crowds that had gathered outside the town hall for the annual switching on of the Christmas lights. This special responsibility belongs to the mayor who was on the balcony, accompanied by her husband ‘consort’, various officials ‘with maces‘ and her grandchildren. It was a treat for us - the singing, the blessing by the Mayor’s chaplain, the band playing, the sleigh bells and the simple but beautiful fireworks before Father Christmas appeared on the roof.


Afterwards as the crowds dispersed we still had plenty of time to wait for the 5.55 pm bus so sought out a tearoom recommendation - “just upstairs here … it is actually where Judy Shakespeare lived”.


Over hot apple juice with cinnamon and a slice of cherry cake, we looked down upon the happy families before catching the last bus 'home'.