On a Thunder Road to Audlem

“Roy Orbison singing for the lonely. Hey that’s me, and I want you only”

Lock 13 at beautiful Audlem on the Shropshire Union Canal, 9th May 2024 (Author’s Collection)

From the slamming of a screen door to leaving a “town full of losers” and leaving a winner, to Roy Orbison “singing for the lonely” (and for my Mum) and having faith and “magic” in the night, to Roy Bittan’s beautiful piano accompaniment and a tale of love and leaving, escape, redemption, and racing through the streets but not racing IN the streets, that comes later and on a different album that still reduces me to floods of damn tears every, damn, time. Talking guitars. The “Big Man” Clarence Clemons (RIP). Patti, Stevie and Garry on guitars, Max thumping the skins, and “The Boss” and master storyteller in his element.

My favourite Bruce Springsteen song just a tick ahead of “The River”, “Better Days” and of course “Racing in the Street”.

Treat yourself sometime.

Here’s a pictorial stroll through Audlem in Cheshire on the Shropshire Union Canal on Thursday 9th May 2024, and I hope you enjoy.

"Thunder Road" (LIVE) by Bruce Springsteen - Youtube

Welcome to Audlem and the “Parish Church of St James The Great”.

I doubt God loves a heathen like me. But maybe She does! I’ll find out sometime.

“Parish Church of St James The Great of Audlem” (to give her the fullest of names according to the internet)

View that greets you from the doorway of the church.

A view that forever pleases me from Bridge number 78 of the Shropshire Union Canal otherwise known more simply as “Audlem Town Bridge”.

Lock number 12 at Audlem with locks 11 through to 1 ahead of you.

Just insert some rushing water!

Welcome to Audlem Mill!

The Shropshire Union Canal is also lovingly known as “The Shroppie”.

Fancy a pint of cider?

Forward view from Lock 13 at Audlem.

Thomas Telford - The Master Builder.

Locks 14 and 15 at Audlem Mill.

(1) My pride and joy to date. All available via Amazon (Author’s Collection)

(2) My pride and joy. All available via Amazon (Author’s Collection)

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