Or a “secret” nuclear bunker to busy, beautiful Nantwich
A nuclear fallout bunker so “Secret” they provide road directions! (Author’s Collection).
The background to this particular long and winding amble beside the Shropshire Union Canal is a simple one: Some days before I had set out from beautiful Audlem Mill, tackled twelve of their fifteen canal Locks and strolled onward in the direction of Nantwich to see what I could find. As I turned wearily for home and the return journey from whence I came four or five miles back, I turned at Bridge Number 85 and saw a particularly bizarre and enticing black sign on the canal directing me to a “Secret” nuclear bunker, and no more than 200 yards away from that very not so secret sign. Alas it was closed for the day and so I naturally pencilled in a return journey some day, and that some day was today, Friday 8th July 2022.
What follows is somewhat of a bumper crop of over 50 images I captured on an overcast morning that soon blossomed into an almost perfectly blue, sunshine filled sky, and from a not so secret nuclear bunker through to the stunningly beautiful environs of Nantwich, Cheshire.
Disclaimer
As per my previous articles on the canals in the picturesque UK county in which I live, I don’t claim to have any experience of either a canal boat lifestyle or the inner workings and trials and tribulations of life on a houseboat/canal boat or narrow boat (whichever you prefer). I just find the peace, tranquillity and the quirky nature of an almost bygone way of existence and determination to live your life in this way, and in a floating house too, endlessly fascinating. I also bask and prosper in the sunshine, love the sights and sounds of canal life juxtaposed with the earthy nature and countryside that surrounds it, and simply discovering a new piece of the canal waterways puzzle never fails to raise a smile on my face. Guaranteed (Guaranteed) to receive oodles of smiles and “Hello’s” and “Good Afternoon’s” from the human beings you meet and watching dogs leap into a canal in search of a well thrown stick or ball can’t fail to amuse the child in all of us.
So much for all that.
*All images captured by me today, 8th July 2022*
A relic from the two World Wars, the Cold War and, after a thorough and expensive refurbishment, a tourist attraction as well as a local aerial navigation lookout post.
Well I know where I’m heading when the four minute warning is issued.
The old and new of a 1950’s spy plane and brand new hangar adjacent.
“All hope abandon ye who enter here”.
(1) A collection of replica scaled down exhibits within the reception area.
(2) A collection of replica scaled down exhibits within the reception area.
View from atop Bridge 85 or “Burrows Bridge” and a beautiful representation of the overcast weather (rather than the all day sunny forecast), the wide open expanse of countryside that surrounds this stretch of canal and Bridge 86 and the Locks of Hack Green ahead.
View through Bridge 85 in the opposition direction to which we’re travelling and onward to a number of very long and straight stretches of the canal south toward Audlem Mill and its 15 canal Locks.
If you take the path left from the top of the bridge and follow this arrow to the next right turning, you can’t miss the “Secret” nuclear fallout bunker!
A favourite image captured this morning and the first of two canal Locks at Hack Green as well as Bridge 86 or simply “Hack Green Bridge”.
View from atop Bridge 86 and onward to the second and last canal Lock here in Hack Green.
Captured this morning between the two Locks of Hack Green.
A “Perfect Timing” moment as these boaters await to leave the first of the Hack Green Locks and in the opposite direction to which we’re travelling. But it’s a rather pleasing image nonetheless.
The final Lock at Hack Green and a perfect representation of the long straight stretch of the “Cut” that lies ahead.
Another “Perfect Timing” moment and still a fair way to travel before we reach Baddington.
The first of many cheery waves received from the “Cut” this morning!
With the weather slowly breaking, we’re finally approaching Baddington.
Bridge 88 or “Baddington Road Bridge”. For some unknown reason, there isn’t a Bridge numbered 87.
View from atop Bridge 88 and another lengthy stretch of canal as we traverse Edlestone Valley Aqueduct.
The twin Bridges of Number 89 (Redripes Bridge) and Number 89a (Rail Bridge).
Close up view beneath both bridges and the beginning of another lengthy stretch of canal ahead.
View from atop Bridge 89 and a plethora of canal boats await our pleasure up ahead.
This stretch of the “Cut” is also known as “The Weaver Way” and I believe I have walked the entirety of it this Summer.
A “Perfect Timing” moment as we depart for Green Lane, Bridge Number 90 (David’s Bridge) and the next section of long and straight canal before the pleasing curves and bends of Nantwich.
A “Perfect Timing” moment in so many ways as this beautiful image and memory breaks up the monotony of the long stretch of canal between Bridges 89 and 90.
A fisherman eyes me with suspicion as we approach Bridge 90 or “David’s Bridge”.
All you ever wished to know about the “Cathedral of South Cheshire”.
View from atop Bridge 90 with Bridge 91 or “Marsh Lane Bridge” in the near distance.
I made a friend! S(He) followed me for a considerable stretch of the canal.
A return view but with the addition of a bemused swan, it was too good to omit.
A brilliant “Perfect Timing” moment as we approach Bridge 91.
And just moments later…….
View from beneath Bridge 91 and the beginning of a long and winding stretch of the “Cut” as we finally approach beautiful Nantwich.
After progressing through Nantwich aqueduct, we’ve reached the outskirts of Nantwich.
The “Maple Leaf” departs Nantwich as we arrive, Father steering and Mother reading excitedly and loudly with her young child. A highlight of the morning.
The bends and curves of the canal approach to Nantwich.
My second cheery wave from the canal this morning. Perfect.
The ancient and the modern as we wind our way toward central Nantwich.
One of a large number of favourite images from this morning.
The rather splendid Nantwich Aqueduct Bridge.
All you needed to know regarding the Nantwich Aqueduct!
A final bend before the long straight arrival into Nantwich.
Bridge 92 or “Nantwich Junction Bridge”.
View from beneath Bridge 92 and further north in the direction of Chester and ultimately Manchester. Three miles north is also a branching or merging with the Llangollen Canal, a feature article coming soon.
View from atop Bridge 92 and back from whence we came.
View from atop Bridge 92 north in the direction of Chester and Manchester.
“Celebrating the restoration of the Nantwich embankment”.
Not caught on camera but my third cheery wave from the canal this morning followed shortly hereafter.
Nantwich Junction, Cheshire.
Oh so beautiful Nantwich.
Your humble narrator, Audlem Mill, end of June 2022.
Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual stroll along a canal in the central beating heart of England and if so, please also consider these other recently published editions within this continuing series of articles:
