And a sunshine filled evening stroll beside the canal
Please say hello to “Harriet Ann”, a family of ducks and a couple of swans! (Author’s Collection).
Following the usual damp squib and schizophrenic nature of an English summer, the sunshine briefly returned on the evening of 5th July 2022 and I took glorious advantage. If you’ll pardon the canal pun, I’m now in the final stretch of completing the entirety of the Shropshire Union Canal, all 66 miles of which or, in my case, all 132 miles, as I’ve essentially “looped” all of my walks in same day/evening strolls.
This route takes us 3 miles north and another small piece of the northern stretch of the canal now fulfilled as I complete the jigsaw all the way north to Nantwich and an unofficial 2/3rds completion marker.
It was indeed an evening of glorious and much needed sunshine and I sincerely hope you enjoy the pictorial representation of the evening as shown below.
First, my 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 on the evening of 5th July 2022*
View from atop Bridge 42 or “Old Lea Bridge” but in the opposite direction to which we’re travelling. We’re heading north along the Shropshire Union Canal but this direction leads south to the beautiful stopping points of Norbury Junction, Wheaton Aston, Brewood and the ending/beginning of this county canal, Autherley Junction.
View from atop Bridge 42 north and the short winding stretch of the canal leading to Bridge 43 and beyond.
Bridge 42 or “Old Lea Bridge” near High Offley.
The obligatory inclusion of a favourite throwback to a bygone age.
Please say hello to “Emma” and the wide open English countryside that surrounds so much of this canal.
A pleasing approach to Bridge 43 between High Offley and Shebdon.
Bridge 43 or “Bullocks Bridge” between High Offley and Shebdon.
View from beneath Bridge 43 and another fairly short but winding stretch of the canal lies ahead.
Another gentle bend in the canal as we approach Shebdon Bridge shortly.
“Spirals” of Walsall and a mother with her ducklings!
The gently bending approach to Bridge 44 at Shebdon.
A particularly lucky but favourite image captured on this evening’s stroll beside the canal.
This just seems so quintessentially English to me, but I am biased. It’s also a beautiful snapshot of “real life” away from the buzz and hum of an imposed real life.
Another pleasing image captured this evening as we approach Bridge 44 or “Shebdon Bridge”.
A beautiful representation of the very long and straight stretch of the canal ahead as we traverse the three coming aqueducts of Shebdon.
View from atop Bridge 44 and another stunning representation of both the beginning of the lengthy stretch of aqueducts as well as the rolling English countryside that surrounds it.
The last of civilisation before the lengthy aqueducts ahead.
Another particular favourite image captured on a similarly favourite and recent amble beside the canal.
Please say hello to “Billy Whizz” and the Great Fireball of the Sky!
Midway point of the multiple aqueducts and so many pleasing reflections.
The end point of the multiple stretches of aqueduct at “Factory Road” on the outskirts of Knighton.
A disused Lock Gate and view from Bridge 45 to 46 or “Newport Road Bridge” to “Knighton Bridge”.
View from atop Bridge 46 and yet another long stretch of canal lying ahead north toward the 5 Locks of both Tyrley and Adderley before the 15 Locks that wind their way through beautiful Audlem Mill. All covered within previous articles within this particular series.
Your humble narrator captured at the 15th Lock on the outskirts of Audlem Mill at the end of June 2022.
Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this virtual stroll beside a canal in the beating heart of England and if so, please do consider these recently published articles as well as the many more contained within my archives:
