The Fulfilment of a Dream

Stourport Revisited

10th October, 1992
12th October, 1992
13th October, 1992
14th October, 1992
15th October, 1992
16th October, 1992

Saturday, 10th October, 1992

Stokesay Castle Photograph

Tudor Gatehouse, Stokesay Castle

Drop Cap rrived in Stourport this afternoon after a very pleasant cross country ramble doing "The Virgin in the Ice" trail. We rambled from Bridgnorth to Ludlow via Craven Arms where we found a pleasant diversion, Stokesay Castle. This is not really a castle but a unique example of a fortified 13th C. manorhouse. It is like a half timbered cottage set on castle foundations. There is a moat, an Elizabethan gatehouse with marvellous carving on the sides and a hall fully panelled in oak with carving all over it. The staircases were the ORIGINAL timber from the 13th C and it was all enclosed in a garden with seats and tables where we had coffee.

Drop Cap hen on, through Ludlow where we had lunch on the Common, and on through Bromfield (where Cadfael was called to tend the wounds of Brother Elyas and look for the missing children). A detour to Stoke St.Milborough which is thought to be Godstoke in the novel but is hidden in lovely woods, then a climb up Titterstone Clee where a disused quarry marks the site of the outlaws' tower (although the saucers and space age buildings of the Earth Satellite station take up the actual summit). The view, however, was incredible.

Drop Cap ack to Bridgnorth by backroads, then Bewdley and Stourport. Same park as before, upgraded a bit in facilities. Great van, bigger bathroom. Nice.

Monday, 12th October, 1992

Holy Trinity Handbill

Handbill from Holy Trinity Church, Stratford on Avon

Drop Cap nother fine day - even sunny at times! Long may it last. First thing this morning we visited Mr. W. Painter, the Stourport solicitor who handled Dad's will. He was very pleased to see us and we had a brief chat, just a courtesy call really. Then to the Bank, where we had another friendly chat with the Manager, Mr. Priestman. We organised a transfer of funds to our current account and gave notice of a withdrawal from the big one when we get an account in Sydney's Natwest.

Drop Cap hen we went to Stoke Prior, the head office of Black Prince Holidays, who rent out canal narrowboats. We inspected two and very nice they were. We have just about decided on a canal holiday, next time. After spending some time there, asking questions, we left our name for brochures and went on to Stratford on Avon.

Drop Cap he main thing about being in Stourport is that we have been just about everywhere before. But I had not seen Shakespeare's grave or the Theatres so we rectified this. His grave is in a lovely old church, where we talked to the minister who was in attendance. We saw a lot of the old town which we had missed before when we went only to his birthplace. It is extremely picturesque with old, half timbered buildings still being used for both almshouses and general housing, pubs, shops etc. Very atmospheric. We had a good day, lots of objectives accomplished.

Shakespeare Memorial handbill

Shakespeare's Memorial, Holy Trinity, Stratford

Tuesday, 13th October, 1992

From Black Country Museum Brochure, Dudley

Drop Cap oday we went to Dudley, in beautiful weather, and spent the day at the Black Country Museum. One could ask why they want to commemorate the Black Country, but, like at Beamish, they are recreating a way of life which has passed (thank God) There were many interesting exhibits, the best being the mine, (which was faked, you didn't go deep underground, but it certainly felt like it)and the canal boat ride into the tunnels and limestone mines under Dudley Castle.This was great, having an excellent audio visual display with the added bonus of being authentic.

Drop Cap hen we got home we had some dinner and went to visit Owen and Freda Shutt, next door to Mac's parents' house. We had a very pleasant evening, drinks, supper and lots of conversation. We didn't get back here until nearly eleven o'clock.

From Black Country Museum Brochure, Dudley

Wednesday, 14th October, 1992

Woodstock photograph

Main street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire

Drop Cap p a bit late today, but we headed for the Cotswolds. Stopped for a walk around Broadway, and bought some tea at the shop we found last time. Then to Woodstock. We had intended vaguely to look over Blenheim Palace, (home of the Churchills) but felt that six pounds each was a bit much.

Drop Cap oodstock is lovely, full of ancient buildings, so we explored the town. Had a picnic lunch by the roadside with a view of rolling downs and wolds then went on via several tiny gems of Cotswolds villages to Bourton-on-the-Water which we have seen before. It is still very picturesque. It started to rain as we explored Stow-on-the-Wold so we headed for home.

Drop Cap pleasant day but it is now raining quite heavily (the first for quite a while). I hope it lets up for tomorrow as we have to get to Sutton Coldfield to Olwen and Lawrence. Their directions are very detailed but complex. If we go wrong we may never find them.

Thursday, 15th October, 1992

Drop Cap e did. Mac mapped a way via three different motorways around Birmingham and it was so easy! We had a pleasant day and a lovely dinner at a restaurant picked from the phone book - The Champs Elysees French Restaurant at Litchfield. It was excellent and quite reasonable. They quoted the price of the main course only, which looked quite steep until you realised that it INCLUDED starter, and dessert and garlic bread and a sorbet! The food was great. We had a lovely time and didn't get home until nearly midnight.

Friday, 16th October, 1992

Drop Cap ruised around locally today, Bewdley, Northwood Halt and had a picnic and a walk in the Wyre Forest. Home early to pack. To East Anglia tomorrow.