Today we should have descended the 21 Hatton locks. But since the weather forecast showed rain for much of the day we decided to visit Stratford upon Avon by train instead.
We moved the boat a short distance further on to Hatton railway station in time for the 2-hourly train to Stratford at 9:50. The problem then was how to buy a ticket. The station is unmanned and the only way of buying a ticket there appeared to be a very old coin operated machine with a label indicating that "new" coins would not be accepted! Not having £12 in old coins the only way of avoiding a £100 penalty for travelling without a ticket was to use the online facilities of Chiltern Railways. We finally sorted out how to do this whilst sitting in the train as it left the station.
When we arrived in Stratford the weather was grey and drizzly. The town centre is uninspiring with many charity shops, restaurants/cafes and "attractions" for the tourists though the tourist information centre is some distance away near the river.
We were able to buy some herbs for our dinner recipes at a Tesco Express but were unsuccessful in finding suitable glasses to replace those broken in our crash although we did try most of the charity shops. Also we visited Bancroft Basin where we would have been moored had it not been necessary to return home. After 2 hours wandering around the town we called it a day and caught the 12:33 train back to Hatton and returned to the boat. The rain continued for much of the afternoon.
Weather: Damp
1.41 miles, 40 minutes cruising
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