Stratford upon Avon

It was cold today but sunny, a crisp winter morning, so we went for a walk across Lucy's Bridge and by the side of the river.  It was quite busy, obviously the sun had encouraged people out, though there was a biting wind.  Emma had bought me some gloves for Christmas on which two fingers and a thumb on each hand can be folded back.  Very useful for taking photos in this type of weather, though eventually the tips of my fingers started to go numb.

On reaching the RSC we dived into the Swan Cafe Bar for a warming drink.

The photo is of the weir by Holy Trinity Church.  As the weir effectively blocks the river to boats, though i have in the past seen kayaks brave the drop, there is a lock opposite, Colin P. Witter Lock.  I not sure who Colin P Witter was but this is the entry in wikimapia -

Lock on Upper Avon Navigation - previously called Stratford Lock.

Once famously described by a lady councillor as "Mr Hutchings' monstrous erection in the park."

This lock, because of its unusual depth and the unstable nature of the ground (silt pit) was the most difficult to build, which accounts for the unusual girders used to stabilise the structure.

The work was done by men from Gloucester Gaol and other volunteers.

 I have added the lock as an extra so you can judge for yourselves!