Day 18: By the Avon

After breakfast this morning I worked for about an hour on the Muncaster Orange until my room was serviced. Not, regretfully, in my chosen corner of the lounge which was occupied by strangers having breakfast. There was, however, a good spot in the window in the bar.

It is Saturday, and the place is buzzing. I listen to two elderly men teaching a third friend to do the cryptic crossword. He wants to learn. In between teaching they discuss the horses running today at Cheltenham.

Once my room is serviced I empty my bag all over my bed and repack it with some care and wash some smalls. Wouldn't do to pack dirty clothes. It fits quite nicely.


I walk down to the river. It's overcast and cool but there are plenty of people about.  I had a look in the RST shop. It's an interesting collection, and includes some packs of small fabric squares from costumes made for the 2019 season. Of course I buy one. There were also packs of larger pieces from the Winter Season- almost fat quarters,  in muted Winter colours.

Along the river the swans are out in force, cadging from the parents who have brought their children to be terrified by feeding them.

I love the swans - but they are pretty fearsome. There is nothing in their expressions to suggest they are friendly.

They are nevertheless photogenic.

Further up the river there's another group of them being fed. My original lot sense a better deal and paddle furiously to compete











only to be disillusioned.

Swans are not the only birds hanging around for their chance.



















The canal lock is deserted. It fell into disrepair but was reopened in 1968 by the Queen Mother.



I'm sure it gets more use in Summer.









I didn't check if this is actor or bard stepping up to speak.




I was distracted by this piano man, playing and singing Music Hall songs as he pedalled his piano in a circle along the river, collecting donations in the hat attached to  the side of the piano.










There were plenty of people out and about, holding hands and showing no signs of Covid19 panic.










This tree was my the most beautiful thing I saw on my walk




especially when the birds were wheeling.

Back at the hotel I did more stitching in the bar, had my soup for late lunch (along with a ham, cheese and pickle sandwich instead of scones - how good am I!).  This time my companions were couples, English and European. Manners, I notice, dictate they whisper so as not to disturb others. Larger groups usually feel free to talk loudly.


As I contemplated my morning's purchased, it struck me that the fabric packs I had rejected might make really appropriate lining and backing for the pouch I intend to make from Nicola's Midsummer Pillowe. So back I went, and indeed, I think this pack has at least three possible pieces. So the Midsummer Pillow may be constructed with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's 2019 Winter Season costuming! There's a task to keep me occupied if I have to self-isolate when I return home!



As I walked back to my hotel, the bicycle piano man was just turning into Sheep Street and passed me by with a rendition of "It was just one of those things".



I finished my stitching in my room. The bar on a Saturday evening is not conducive to solitary stitching.

I finished the first orange, which pleases me no end. I shall put this away now until tomorrow. It will become my Mitre Project. I have my travel project to keep me happy until then.

I've picked up my wallet from the hotel safe, the washing is nearly dry and bags ready to receive the last of the toiletries, cords and devices.


Tomorrow is Mitre day!

Day 17: Arts Heritage Centre & change of plan

Over the last couple of days I have been fluctuating between (1) relaxing into a week at the Mitre Hotel Hampton Court while waiting for my 2 day course at the RSN and (2) changing my flight home. This morning I had another serious look at altering my flight. My finger paused over the button for the best part of a minute - then I pressed it. As a result I am booked to leave Heathrow  next Wednesday at 11.55 am and arrive in Adelaide at 7.15 pm Thursday.  This means I have cancelled my 2 day course at the RSN. 

My concern is not so much contracting the virus but finding myself locked out of Australia if the government extends its European travel ban to the UK. It’s a bit of a long shot at the moment but as things are changing rapidly I’d like to be home sooner rather than later. I don't think I can relax at the Mitre while wondering if my flight will take off.

Next Wednesday’s flight is on the same schedule on which I was originally booked - even the same seats! While I could have had flights sooner, l had to alter either my route or connection. It will cost me - but less than the cost of staying.

At times like this I just want to be at home.

It took me a while to organise this and subsequent hotel and class changes so I did not get to breakfast until 9.40 am , forgetting that on weekdays breakfast finishes at 9.30. Staff cleaning tables as the stragglers finished told me firmly that breakfast was finished. I didn’t argue so took myself off to my stitching corner. Soon my favourite staffer, Lilliana, arrived to check my stitching. When she discovered I had missed breakfast she asked if I’d like coffee - and croissants. Soon she had rustled up a more than adequate breakfast . Yar boo sucks to grumpy wait staff!

When I had eaten and cleaned my hands, I set to work on the plaited braid pea.


I am pleased with this. This is definitely a stitch that improves with repetition. I'm getting there.

My plan was to visit the Heritage Arts Centre, which did not open until 1.30 pm.  I walked down to the river.


There was not a lot happening. The magnolia tree is magnificent.










It was still only 1pm, so I called into the Cancer Council Op Shop. In addition to used items they sell a range of sewing kits and packaged accessories.




I liked this pack of zippers - which gave me an idea.


By now the Heritage Arts Centre was about to open.  The Entrance is marked by yarn bombing.

On the pamphlet that led me here, the centre is simple billed as "Heritage Arts Centre". Its website has it as 'Slaughter House Heritage Arts Centre'. 





The building was apparently a 15th century mill, a 16th/17th pub (The Crown) an 18th century rope walk and a 19th century butchery.

The last is the explanation for the name, and for the equipment displayed in the main room.



There are displays of heritage items - most of which I have used at one time or another in my life!



A charity, Escape Arts, manages the site, running a lego club for kids and engaging in community projects, such as the re- upholstering of this chair,  which had been the favourite of Arthur Weatherhead,  an electrician at the RST.


The group clearly does a good job of engaging the community in both the past and present day art enterprises.








This section of Stratford is picturesque and well-maintained. Some signs, like the one on the bank, seem redundant.




Back at the hotel I had what has become my regular lunch. The soup is very good. So are the scones.








By 5.30 pm I had finished the blackwork piece - or more accurately, the plaited braid stitch piece. It is far from perfect but I am pleased with it. I got the hang of it and can do the stitch without looking at the instructions. The trick is in the tension and spacing. It is much harder in gold passing thread than in perle, but  I did get into the rhythm.

When it was finished I tried out my zip idea. I think it will work. This will be my pouch for goldwork tools








and this will be the pouch for keeping silk threads. Reckon it will work.


With that sorted, I rang my friend Christine Thatcher and sorted out the problems of the world for the best part of an hour. She approves my decision to return home early. Although we won't be able to meet this visit we will talk again in a couple of days time. These friendships are why I keep coming.

Last day in Stratford tomorrow.

Day 13: Farewells and Cats

  I had a leisurely start to the day. Others, including Melody and Sheelagh, had gone before I got up. I had packed last night so was able to take my time over breakfast and spend time talking to mates. At 10.00am I had my bags carried down to reception ( did not trust myself to manoeuvre my bags up and down 2 sets of stairs) said farewell to those waiting for taxis, and set off down the road to my next hotel

Genevieve, who is staying on at the Arden for a few days offered to walk with me. It was a very simple walk, but did help to have a second pair of hands manoeuvring it over the slate paving stone.

As I expected, my new room was not ready, so we checked in my bags and went shopping. I wanted to buy a screwdriver and go to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Genevieve to Boots. We got the screwdriver at a hardware store. I will now be able to tighten and change my hoop! Genevieve helped me choose a top and we got what she needed at Boots.

On our way we saw an billboard for a Cat Cafe. Genevieve knew about this from her son, and was interested to explore, so when we had completed our shopping tasks we followed the signs to the Shakespaw Cat Cafe.














It was one of the madder places I have been to.

For a modest entry fee, you get to order drinks and food amongst the cats. It is, apparently, a Japanese idea, meant to relax and calm.

There were, I think, about seven cats on cushions, blankets, towels or various structures designed for their pleasure.

The proprietor serves food and drink from a kitchen behind a hatch. This is the signal for the cats to come, hoping for milk.

Once our coffee was served the cats lost interest and went back to sleep, but since we paying to watch the cats, the proprietor woke them up with treats.






That worked for a while.

There are more rooms downstairs, including a cat bedroom. Genevieve went to inspect, I didn't.













As soon as she left her chair it was occupied by a cat.

Another climbed on our table to get to the windowsill.



The proprietor got on with her work.








There was a helpful mirror to allow you to see what was going on at the other end of the shop.

I'm so grateful to Genevieve for treating me to this experience.  I would never have done it on my own.It was extraordinary, and to me, vaguely creepy. It was not a calming Japanese zen experience - but a good story.

Genevieve left me at my hotel. I hope her husband arrived safely and they are enjoying a relaxed, delicious meal at the Arden.

At the Mercure, I was given a choice of a room next to the lift with a shower over the bath, or one of the two rooms with walk-in shower either up a flight of stairs or a circuitous walk from the lift with a few steps along the way. I went for the walk-in shower.
This hotel is full of steps and stairs. Fortunately, my room is on the first floor up one relatively short, straight set of stairs, not those shown here.
Here the rooms are named after Shakespearean characters. Mine is, unfortunately, called Macbeth! Only Macbeth and Hamlet have walk-in showers.



Inside it is a reasonable size, comfortable, but not well-lit.


I unpacked, did a few stitches, then set off for Shakespeare's New Place, where he lived for 19 years before his death. I arrived just in time for a talk - a recounting of the history of the house with diagrams. Fundamentally, it predated Shakespeare, was remodelled, demolished, rebuilt, demolished and created as a memorial to Shakespeare by the Shakespeare Trust.







It has really lovely Elizabethan-style gardens including sculptures inspired by Shakespeare, pennants for each of his plays, the opening lines of all the sonnets.

It is next to the Guild Hall, with good views from the garden.











It was, by now, raining, so I didn't linger in the garden.












Back at the hotel I settled myself in the lounge area, in front of a window at street level, with good light and worked some more of Nicola's Titania. A fellow retreater went past and tapped on the window.

I had not registered I was visible to passers by!



I ate in the restaurant attached to the hotel. The best part of the meal was the Affogato.

My thanks to Genevieve for keeping me company this morning and helping make the choice of top -I'm pleased with it- and for taking me to the most extraordinary cafe.

I do hope all my fellow retreaters travelled well and safely.

Tomorrow Christine and Eddie are coming to see me. Woohoo!