Big Wheel

The sun finally came out after a wet morning so we went into Stratford walking along the canal to the river.  I'd read in JDO's blip (rant) yesterday that a start had been made on the 'Stratford Eye' so we decided to take a look.  I know there was a lot of opposition to it when first muted but personally, as a Stratford resident, I don't see what the problem is.  The wheel is tucked behind the boat house, next to the fish and chip restaurant.  It doesn't impact on the river, the RSC (who along with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust) think they own Stratford. Nor does it impact on Holy Trinity Church, the recreation ground, the mini golf, the ferry, the swans, geese or pigeons, nor any residents.  It is a mobile version of what Stratford already has in the form of the RSC observation tower.  Stratford relies on tourism, it brings in the visitors, who bring in the money.  Maybe it's because there wasn't a ferris wheel in Shakespeare's time?  I've seen wheels in Torquay, Bristol, London, Tokyo and coincidentally my son sent pictures of the wheel in Yokohoma this morning, and I've never seen any problem with them.  I will no doubt be posting further pictures of the wheel once it is open, including possibly a picture taken from the top.

The extra is something completely different; a goose with her babies, one of whom is saying "Mummy, mummy can we go on the big wheel?"