England 2016

The Midlands got a pretty good soaking overnight, with a light rain still falling as Andrew and I lumbered over for a light breakfast (after the heavy amount of food from yesterday!). Since it had rained quite a bit already over the previous month or three (!), there turned out to be quite a bit of flooding in the area.

We talked with John and agreed that it would be interesting just to “drive around” and see what the flooding looked like! So, the three of us set out on a drive through the area, taking a lot of little back roads that were new to me.

Indeed, the River Stour (the main river through the area, specifically through nearby Shipston-on-Stour – home of the fun Shipston Wool Fair from last May!) has left its banks in several areas.

Our first evidence of this was crossing the Stour itself, across the main bridge on the Motorway. It was very obviously “up”.

Taking a few back roads and circling back towards Shipston itself, we were stopped cold at the bridge at Mill Street, which was completely impassable. Compare this picture with a Google Earth – Streetview image of what it looks like *without* flooding.

Yeah. Okay. We’re not going that way.

Off through the countryside east of Shipston, we find a couple of other normally-passable bridges/crossings that are also impassable… and then we come through Honington, which we visited last May.

As we come up to the bridge, the Stour has almost completely covered it! Knowing what this looked like when the River is “normal”, this was a definite *NO GO* situation!

As we were looking at the flooding, we noticed a large tractor on the other side of the bridge. “Surely he’s not going to cross?”, we asked each other.

Well, yes… not only did he try, he succeeded.

And don’t call me Shirley.

But – being this close to Honington, and “The Most Disturbing Cherub in All of Britain“, I want to pop into All Saints Church and show the little nightmarish dude to Andrew.

So, backing up and into Honington, we pull into the very narrow All Saints “parking area”. With as much rain as there was overnight, it’s surprisingly non-muddy, so we walk into the courtyard – Andrew taking in the tree-surrounded graveyard in front of the ancient church building.

The church itself is really impressive from the outside, with a large tower that dates back to 1300.

Walking up to the door, I’m talking up the “Disturbing Cherub” quite a bit, so we’re more than a little bit disappointed when the door is locked!

Pity… but I guess I saved Andrew the future nightmares, right? 😉

On the way out, though, there are several grave/tomb markers that were covered by vines/weeds last May that are really really interesting.

I’m not sure of the origins, but they definitely give off an older “Crusader”-style, don’t they? Similar to what we saw at St. Eadburgha’s last May in Ebrington, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if they were.

Back to John and the SUV, and we’re off again! Heading back to our original passage, we cross the Stour and head into Broadway, as Andrew and I have a few gift targets we need to acquire for our respective spouses back home who have been so gracious to let us sneak away for such a grand “Boys’ Vacation”.

It’s lunchtime, so we stop in at The Swan in Broadway for a GREAT pub lunch.

A yummy sandwich and a pint later, Andrew and I leave John to enjoy a coffee and a nice relaxing hour or so without us (ha!) and we head up High Street to hit a few of the stores.

Our purchases in hand (we’re guys – we’re quick), we return to The Swan and John “forces us” (ha) into a desert. It’s a new one I’ve not tried of, nor ever heard of before – Eton Mess. While the name sounds gross … it’s actually pretty good! 🙂

With the requisite stop on Fish Hill to view the distant Malverns (surprisingly visible, given the rainy/hazy day), John drops us off at Charingworth for a quick respite.

He and Mark pick us up for (another) awesome dinner with “just the guys”. This time, we’re off to their favorite Chinese restaurant, located in Stratford. You know they’re “regulars” when the owner comes running over to greet them. Ha!

We are treated to a GREAT dinner, with lobster appetizer and various courses – leaving us stuffed (again) at the end of the meal.

A good night’s sleep is welcomed, as John has a great surprise for Andrew in store for tomorrow! 🙂