Winter's Tale

Advent Sunday
In the morning the first candle was lit on the Advent wreath, always a sign that the countdown to Christmas has just got serious. In the afternoon we had our Christingle service and it was lovely to see new faces, as well as those support this service each year. One visitor was a girl who grew up in the church and had brought her children back so they could share the experience she had when she was their age.  It was really lovely to catch up after many years.






For many years the Christingle service has been an opportunity for the younger members to take part and it was great to continue the tradition this year.

Monday morning was beautifully sunlit - a great day for photography!  We had considered going to Hereford, but we were late starting out and need an early return, as I am working this evening. Leamington was our chosen destination.  The sat nav was set and we departed.  Then we changed our minds, and decided to go to Stratford instead. Our journey was further complicated by the fact that 'Voice Command' appeared not to have heard of Stratford. Maybe if we had addressed it in Shakespearean English, it might have been more forthcoming.  Maybe not.  Well, we knew which roads to take, so the satnav became the sackednav.

Halfway there the sun disappeared and the interesting clouds won. However, we were not going to be deterred. We selected Stratford because we wanted to do the walk by the river, clouds or no clouds!

We parked, then crossed the river towards the theatre. Workmen were dredging the canal basin. We were advised that the spoil was being taken to help construct the new Marina, scheduled to open in 5 years time.







On our wanderings we discovered the site of the new marina. Locals observing the work down river were verbal in their opinion of the local council, and it wasn't complimentary.











When we were back by the theatre we noticed filming was underway. No idea what for... If you recognise anyone let me know.







Lunch was at a branch of a chain of eateries.  The waiter was very enthusiastic and greeted each of our orders as if it was the best decision he could possibly have made. My companion ordered a toastie
"Great choice!"  
I ordered tomato quiche
"Ah Tomato!" he declared, as if had made the very quiche himself.
After he departed I expressed the opinion that he may well have been an out of work actor.

Well, it was all downhill from there.  My request for a 'Flat White' was interpreted as 'tap water' It was delivered by different member of staff, who checked who the tea was for, dumped the water in front of me and legged it. I then caught the original waiters attention
"Excuse me, I asked for a Flat White, and I seem to have tap water. " 
My companion reckons that 'tap water' and 'flat white' sound the same.  My thought was that he was so busy affirming us in our choices, that he didn't actually listen.  The next problem was our food. We were adjacent to the food hatch. The chef rang the bell when food was ready to be taken to tables. Everyone was so busy clearing, welcoming and taking orders that no-one was delivering the food. The bell rang once, twice, three times. Still, it sat there.  My companion accosted a passing waiter.
"Excuse me, I think that is our food waiting and it has been there a while!"  Our food arrived with apologies. Now salad and heated lamps do not mix....  Basically what should have been hot, wasn't and what should have been cold wasn't. I also had the coleslaw that I had requested not to have....
Did I want to add a service charge? My response was lukewarm to say the least.

There were a couple of shops we wanted to visit, and a few purchases were made.





Confession time.
I nearly overran with the candle yesterday, and today it didn't get lit, as it was a chaotic teatime, with people going here and there. Tomorrow is another day...