“If you take my advice there’s nothing so nice, as messing about on the river. There are long boats and short boats and all kinds of craft. And cruisers and keel boats and some with no draught. So take off your coat and hop in a boat, and go messing about on the river” (Author’s Collection).
As we’ve reached halfway in this mini-series of 9 (yes, nine) total articles from just one day in the beautiful sunshine of Stratford-upon-Avon, I should perhaps be honest with you dear reader and state unequivocally that this edition is by far my favourite and a period of time I was reluctant to drag myself away from. Although there are a further 4 editions still to come, and a plethora of fantastic images from the house where William Shakespeare was born, the winding streets that still retain a resolute character of the age and tens more images of the river, the canal and the beautiful surrounds of this historic town in central England, this is my personal favourite issue by far.
Why is a simple question to answer. Serendipitously I found a lovely conversation with a couple shading under a tree and a perfect vantage point from which to capture the Holy Trinity Church in a background dominated by the beauty of a humanity just “messing about on the river” in front of it. From these images we wander to where the river begins to rush away from Stratford and we turn back via some more magnificent images of the life that continues amongst the tourists that flock to this little piece of English heaven before we end just after where we began, still beside the river but now opposite the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) building.
An indulgent issue? Why of course it is! Haven’t you seen that I’m squeezing 9 (yes, nine) articles out of just one day in the sun!
But this was a special day and I hope you agree that the following are rather special and beautiful images.
*All images captured by me on Tuesday 9th August 2022*
**All lyrics from “Messing About on the River” originally sung by Josh McCrea, 1961**
A beautiful welcome to Stratford and the River Avon, with the Holy Trinity Church slowly coming into view ahead.
“There are boats made from kits that reach you in bits, for messing about on the river. Or you might want to skull in a glass-fibred hull, just messing about on the river. There are tillers and rudders and anchors and cleats, and ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets. With the wind in your face there’s no finer place, than messing about on the river”.
Officially, The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity or more simply The Holy Trinity Church, or even known as simply “Shakespeare’s Church” and the final resting place of The Bard.
A favourite image amongst many from a beautiful afternoon.
Say a hearty hello to “Jennifer May” and one of many canal cruisers that were kept incredibly busy all day.
(1) Two more favourite and beautiful images captured this afternoon.
(2) Two more favourite and beautiful images captured this afternoon.
“There are skippers and mates and rowing club eights, just messing about on the river. There are pontoons and trots and all sorts of knots, for messing about on the river. With inboards and outboards and dinghies you sail. The first thing you learn is the right way to bail. In a one-seat canoe you’re the skipper and crew, just messing about on the river”.
The beautiful Holy Trinity Church and the splitting of the river into a sluice gate that flows the river from behind the trees on your left and onward out of the town.
“There are bridges and locks and moorings and docks, when messing about on the river. There’s a whirlpool and weir that you mustn’t go near, when messing about on the river. There are backwater places all hidden from view and quaint little islands just awaiting for you. So I’ll leave you right now to cast off your bow, and go messing about on the river”.
A regular turning point for the cruisers before the splitting of the river at the Holy Trinity Church.
A beautiful view back from whence we came and the start of our return walk along the river bank.
The first of two sluice gates/waterfalls emptying into the River Avon and a popular fishing spot as you may have noticed!
Beautiful reflections from the second sluice gate/waterfall.
Reflections. Reflections. Beautiful reflections.
A final juxtaposed image of fun seekers and the church as a beautiful backdrop as we wind our back along the River Avon.
One boat and three swans — Part 1
One boat and three swans — Part 2
(1) Two further beautiful images as we approach the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) building on the left and the central canal “basin” of the town straight ahead.
(2) Two further beautiful images as we approach the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) building on the left and the central canal “basin” of the town straight ahead.
A perfect further juxtaposition, this time a single swan and the imposing Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) building.
A final look at the sun bleached grass of the Recreation Ground and the “Big Wheel” that dominates the skyline.
A favourite article concludes with a favourite image that captures the very essence of this beautiful day.
Messing around beside another river, the Severn, at Ironbridge Gorge, early August 2022.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this edition then please do return when the further and overly indulgent number of articles follow!
It was a precious day to me and of making memories that I’ll cherish for a long time to come.
In the meantime, please see these links to my three most recently published articles from my Summer travel series so far:
