High Offley to Norbury Junction

Saturday 2nd July 2022

Saturday 2nd July 2022

View from atop Bridge 42 or “Old Lea Bridge” near High Offley, and the commencement of our stroll alongside the Shropshire Union Canal to Norbury Junction (Author’s Collection).

This article is ostensibly a companion piece to the first article linked below and the same day return stroll along the Shropshire Union Canal in the heart of England. As you can see from the rather lovely image above, the weather Gods were kind as the threatened “band of rain” barely touched the county of Shropshire and in fact improved over the duration of this 3 mile each way round trip from Norbury Junction to High Offley.

Here is the return journey.

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 were captured by me today, 2nd July 2022*

View from the foot of Bridge 42 or “Old Lea Bridge” and the first of a number of winding stretches of the canal.

A perfect early stopping off point! The “Anchor Inn” public house near High Offley.

The first of many “Perfect Timing” moments as we depart High Offley.

And another, and a favourite image captured this afternoon.

The commencement of a long stretch of the “Cut” toward Bridge 41 or “Grub Street Bridge”.

Another beautiful “Perfect Timing” moment.

A beautiful throwback to a life almost forgotten.

Bridge 41 or “Grub Street Bridge”.

View from atop Bridge 41 and the longest section of this stretch of the canal lays ahead. Obviously a popular spot for some fishing!

Bridge 40 or “Water Bridge”.

View from atop Bridge 40 and the bend in the canal that leads of Bridge 39 or “High Bridge”.

The strangely beautiful “High Bridge” or Bridge 39.

View from atop Bridge 39 and onward to Norbury Junction and our final destination.

Arriving at the outskirts of Norbury Junction.

The first of many swans and cygnets and a rather pleasing image captured this afternoon.

See above comments!

My favourite image of yet another soul raising afternoon stroll beside the canal.

Half a mile to go and the obligatory inclusion of a favourite throwback to a time (almost) forgotten.

Set the controls for the heart of the sun, I’ve found my houseboat.

“Come on, you target for faraway laughter. Come on, you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine”.

With Bridge 38 or simply “Norbury Bridge” ahead, yet another favourite image captured this afternoon.

Final approach to Norbury Junction.

Bridge 38 or “Norbury Bridge”.

A beautiful view from beneath Bridge 38 at Norbury Junction.

A final image from Bridge 38 at Norbury Junction with the “Junction Inn” public house to your right, the workings of the junction itself partially obscured to the left and the long stretch ahead north toward Nantwich.

Thanks for reading. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this pictorial stroll on an overcast, yet pleasantly warm afternoon and kind gift from the weather Gods.

If so, can I perhaps point you to the recently published and complimentary editions in this series of walks along the Shropshire Union Canal linked below?

Norbury Junction to High Offley
Saturday 2nd July 2022medium.com

Audlem to Baddington
via a secret nuclear bunker (yes, really!)medium.com

Autherley Junction
A stop Lock start to the Shropshire Union Canalmedium.com