24 June 94 (Friday)
Stratford-Upon-Avon
 
 
     Here's the main attraction - our day's trip to Epworth.  This is 
the first driver who knew where to find Epworth, but only because he 
had looked it up while waiting for us to board.
     We figured, half the day to do Epworth, then we can add in a half 
day at Warwick Castle.  When we asked Arnold about that possibility, he 
didn't quite laugh in our faces (he was too nice for that).  Oh well. 
 
     The trip took us through Coventry again, but in heavy traffic - 
not much fun.  Once past Coventry, though, things were pretty.  I'm 
afraid we should have had a talk with the kids about how the trip would 
work, because this is not at all what they expected, and few of them 
are used to travelling long distances on the ground. 
 
     We arrived in Epworth, asked a local where to find the Old Rec- 
tory, and were told  to turn left at the sign right by us that said 
"Old Rectory" and had an arrow pointing left; so we did.
     The coach pulled in to the Car Park, and we headed in.  The Warden 
met us and gave us a very good 20 minute slide presentation on the 
Wesleys, the Rectory, and the area.  Then a wonderful lady took us 
through the house which had been built to replace the one which had 
burnt to the ground, and from which Jackie had been snatched.  They 
toured us right through their lunch hour - it was great.  We all left 
the building whistling "O Suzanna" (or should have, anyway).
     We did manage to find Samuel's church and tomb (from which John 
preached), and took a look, but then it was time to go.
     Arnold took us home by the scenic route - Snake Pass - it turned 
out to be a Much longer drive than he had expected, and we were an hour 
late for dinner; Pat was gracious again. 
 
     It was too late for our planned "punting on the Avon," but it is 
also our last night in Stratford - we decided to wander and shop (at 
least some Haagen Dazs!) and then pack up so we're ready in the morning 
for Johnson's to take us to our next stop - Newton Abbot in Devon.
     And so we did. 
 
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Last Update: 20 January 1999