We spent all of Thursday in "Stratford upon Avon" You might remember that we visited Bradford on Avon last week. There are lots of towns up around the Cotswolds that are on the River Avon. Occasionally they are named "…. On Avon".

Stratford isn't "on" it's "upon." "Upon" is the formal term for "on".

There was more traffic entering this town than any other we have visited so far. When a parking spot appeared, we immediately dived right in, and it turned out to be High St, the original main street of the old town. Not only that, but we parked opposite two very old buildings: The Garrick Inn, the oldest in town (1594) and next door, Harvard House. Once known as the Ancient House, It was built in 1596 by Thomas Rogers, grandfather of the benefactor of Harvard University, John Harvard (son of Thomas's daughter). It was purchased by an American in 1909 and bequeathed to Harvard University, and now managed by the National Trust.

Because it was a one hour meter, we had a rushed beginning and eventually returned to move to a long term carpark. Long stories can be abbreviated. We visited Shakespeare's grave, we walked the old town streets photographing all and sundry, caught a chain ferry across the Avon, walked back to High St and decided to have lunch at The Garrick Inn.

Toward the end of our meal, Chess visited the "Ladies". On returning, she told me in amazement that there were three dispensing machines; "condoms", "tampons" and "sexual stimulant for women (tablets)". Sometime later, I visited the "Men's". My dispensers were for "condoms" (were both covered), "sexual stimulant for men" and …….. drum roll ……. "Ticktac's".

The meal was O.K. Ches very happy battered cod ... actually that should read, happy with her battered cod… a massive piece of fish. Me, not so much with one massive beef rib. The beer was good however. Ches had a GandT (can't remember the brand however it was Moroccan botanicals) and she loved it.

At an adjoining two tables, a blended Canadian family arrived shortly before we finished. Dad with three daughters in late teens early 20's, mum with her mum and two mid teen daughters. That's blending 5 daughters. I hope he has a male dog!

It was now 4.30 and we had also planned on visiting Warwick Castle for a photo op. Who was kidding who? On approach, we had to manoeuver through three roundabouts, the last one with 6 roads entering and traffic lights controlling one of them. More about that later.

$AUD10.00 to enter the castle car park ….. Ches went into melt down. 10 minute walk to the castle and half way there we ran into massed crown exiting. Talk about the salmon late into the river. Kids everywhere in plastic armour and waving weapons. Bloody Hell again, it was jousting day at the castle and by the time we arrived at the entrance, there was a bare glimpse of one tower and a $32.00 fee to enter. No way for a photo so with one photograph of one tower, we walked back and explained to the young guy manning the exit gate that we had no coin to leave as we hadn't entered. "No trouble … I remember you". Of course he did, we were the idiots entering at 5.00pm.

Back to fight our way through the roundabouts. That 6 road one traffic light roundabout took 10 minutes to conquer. I left it slain in my wake and am ready for the next challenge.

Home to finish off the salted caramel vodka, mixed with Thundering Molly Cider and a Saddlers "Hop Bomb" Pale Ale. Feeling no pain.