Sept 23 - Explore more of Much Wenlock

 Our second day in Much Wenlock and we finally see what we originally came to this village to see! The history of the modern Olympics started here in this tiny village in the late 19th century. 

Much Wenlock is significant to the Olympics because Dr. William Penny Brookes founded the annual Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850, which served as an inspiration and blueprint for Baron Pierre de Coubertin's revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896. Coubertin visited the town and the games, becoming inspired by Brookes's efforts to promote physical and intellectual improvement through sport. The Wenlock Olympian Games continue to be held annually in the town, and one of the mascots for the 2012 London Olympics was named Wenlock in its honor. 

We start our day at a lovely cafe in town called Barrow cafe - excellent roast veggie dish and flat whites.

Then a quick hop across the High Street to the remarkably well stocked Museum that provides the history of the area from prehistoric, to Mercian, to Saxon, to Roman, to Norman, and finally to Victorian and modern times.

In addition, there is a comprehensive history of the advent of the modern Olympic Games which inspired the International Olympics that we see take place around the world every 4 years.

After the museum visit, we make our way to the Stratford area and our next stop for the night. On the way we stop for coffee at an excellent cafe in Alcester, called "10"....then on to our funky accommodation for the night.

Fran booked us into "The Summer House" in Haselor....about 20 minutes into the countryside from Stratford. Once we settle into this quaint cottage, we take a walk around the Public Foot Path for a couple of hours, visit an 11th century church, encounter sheep, cows, and wild Damson plums!