The Stag at Redhill Alcester

With time rapidly dwindling I went down to Banbury way this afternoon to visit my brother et famille before I leave, taking the opportunity to say goobye to two young nephews - one of whom was able to appreciate some of the implications of what I am doing, "But what if you get sick?" he asked. :-)

Back up to Stoke in the late evening. Last day of preparations tomorrow.

... managed to get all loose ends sorted and even probably did over and above what was expected - ok nothing new there either. Had a massive stack of discharges to do (over 30) and halfed that today so well on the way to getting out the door of work on Friday with it all done - its all positive thinking at present as I am all to familiar with the spanner that can be thrown in at the last minute ...

... see most of the exhibits and didn't even get to see Blenheim palace! That was a great day though very hot and sunny loads of dogs around as the Brits take their dogs everywhere and got to sample a bit of the local food with handmade jams, chocolates, pastries, meats etc. Got to see a falconry exhibition, pet dogs chasing lures, shooting dogs retrieving, trout fishing competitions and also sorts of British country persuits! A very enjoyable if random day!

... live and work. It overlooks the plains where the Civil War was fought and was built after the war in 1750. It had a lovely lounge in which we had a drink and then drove back and did our packing.







We walked around to the local for a drink by the fire and then ordered Thai food.

... church of St. Lawrence. We then crossed little streams and did a huge uphill walk in deep mud tracks. At the top of the hill we followed the road back to Chipping Campden for the next 2-3/4 miles. The wind howled at times and was freezing. We passed fields of black sheep and then ...

... back to the river. We went and did a brass rubbing for 7 pounds 50p ($17) of the Earl of Warwick from 1406. We were so cold when we got home that I had to put my feet on the central heating pipes for ages. Called Lavinia in London and arranged to have dinner Monday night. Went to the local for a drink and then home for Coq au Vin.

... mouth! Because we got so damp we decided to do the 2 hour walk and not the 4 hour one. Ended up taking us 3 hours. We passed through a field of sheep – white and brown ones – and there were a lot of cute lambs and all the sheep were 'baaing’ at us.








Stratford-upon-Avon, England, United Kingdom hilaryramsey

Stephen dropped us to Warwick Castle – a 10 min. drive away and we had a wonderful time exploring over it for the next 4 hours. Entry was 26 pounds 95 including a 3 pound guide book ($64). Lunch cost us 9 pounds ($21).









It is set in 60 acres of beautiful grounds and is up high overlooking the town on one ...

... Stow-on-the-Wold and saw the Royalist pub 976AD – oldest pub in England and then to Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter – 2 lovely little villages around a stream and then on to Broadway.










Went out to dinner at Margaret’s in the village of Radway. She lives in the old school house next to the church

... Mews. They have a lovely one bedroom upstairs apartment. Nathan and I sleep on a blow-up bed behind the map divider in the lounge. The map divider is great – wallpaper of the map of the world. Makes you want to explore the world. Had a dinner of Roast Chicken and veggies – all premade and just heated up. So yummy! In bed asleep by 8 pm UK time – 12 midnight Dubai time.