We had a leisurely start to the day, choosing lunch in one of the cafés listed in the ‘Extra Mile’ book that seeks out foody delights as alternatives to motorway services.

We settled on Ellenden Farm Shop Café near Harvington. When we arrived, I realised that we had been there before on a day trip to Evesham. I chose a humble toasted teacake with marmalade, it was delicious.

Before checking into our hotel, we visited Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. It is quaint with interesting history and due to the weather very cold inside.

After our visit we were able to book into our Stratford hotel, The Indigo. We were warmly welcomed and shown to our room in the Georgian part of the hotel. The room was delightful with plenty of lighting options.

Rather than unpack our bags we decided to head into town, visiting a second-hand bookshop and Waterstones. In Waterstones I saw a book on Malta cuisine. I had been tempted to buy it when I first saw it after our holiday in Malta just over a year ago. I resisted buying the book at the time just in case I was having rose tinted spectacles after our recent visit. I realised I still loved the recipes in the book but unfortunately the book was damaged so once again I chose to leave it on the shelf.

Back in the hotel I had a glass of wine in the hotel bar before returning to our room for a cup of tea and a lovely relaxing shower.

We dined in Loxley’s, a pre valentines day dinner due to our Valentine’s Day ‘date night’ being in the theatre to see Hamlet. I chose chicken with pureed carrot, potato dauphinoise and fricassee of mushrooms. It was beautifully presented but unfortunately, I forgot to take a quick photo!

We had a nightcap in the hotel bar, the Woodsman where we sat in our favourite seats as we had done earlier in the afternoon.