Shropshire Union Canal from Barbridge

Saturday 27 August 2022 9 miles

Donna, Tracey, Jane and Hilary

A lovely day with the sun shining.

We parked at Barbridge, on the Old Chester Road.

We joined the Shropshire Union Main Line by going over the bridge and onto the towpath. It was a short walk to the turning onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shrophire Union Canal. It was very warm in the sunshine.

Along the canal we passed under the Winsford Road by the Venetian Marina and a train passed on the railway line as we walked towards it. We continued along the canal to the next bridge. As we walked along this stretch of canal a few spots of rain came down.

Up the steps and over two stiles we crossed the bridge leaving the canal behind and following the path south. We crossed over the railway line, when we came to the junction we crossed straight over then turned right when we came to Station Road. We were about to pass St Oswald's Church, Worleston, but noticed that there was a bench outside so we decided that was the best place to sit and have our lunch. It was after 12 o'clock!

We had a wander around the church as Hilary thought there might be an owl box there, but we couldn't see one, especially with all the leaves are still on the trees. As we were just about to leave a gentleman arrived in his car and asked if we wanted to see inside the church. It is beautiful inside with the pale stone setting off the darker wood in the roof. We had a chat by the door, there are not enough people who attend the services or volunteer to look after the church. That creates problems, the people in the village want a church, but don't help.

A short way along Church Lane we came to the end of the houses and found the path across the fields, There were some new wooden bridges crossing the stream. We got a bit lost around a pool where a man was fishing. It wasn't clear which way to go, but eventually we realised that we had gone too fat right on the path to the pond rather than bearing right towards the gate. Then we walked across the field to a gate and onto Poole Old Hall Lane. We continued until we turned left onto Wettenhall Lane. As we walked down the road I could see a stone bridge in the distance and hoped that was the canal bridge, it wasn't.

Part way down the lane we turned right onto Poole Hill Lane, there were some trees casting some shade, it was still warm and the shade under the trees gave some shelter and a bit of a breeze. We followed the lane until we came to the canal, the car park with boats in it looked as though we could get to the canal from there, but we couldn't get through the gate. So we walked around and went up the bank and onto the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal.

We follwed the Shropshire Union back to Barbridge and the car. It was a relief to take off our boots as out feet were hot. 

There was a debate as to where we should go for tea and cake but as some of the local places closed at 4pm we weren't going to have time to order. As we were passing Snugburys Ice Cream Farm we turned in there. We were lucky that the queue wasn't too long. We had 2 x Elderberry and Rhubarb, 1 Lemon Cheesecake, and 1 Lavender and honey. We managed to find a place in the shade and sat on the grass enjoying our icecreams.

Lymm and the Dam

Saturday 30 July 2022 5.5 miles

Jane + Tracey

It was again hard to know how many layers to put on, the weather was a bit warmer but sometimes the wind could be chilly. We parked in Burford Lane, even though both of us had brought our fleeces we decided to take a chance and leave them in the car. There was always a chance of rain so raincoats would be better.

It was interesting to walk along the back lanes, away from the traffic and yet you were in the town. Little pathways and quiet roads made for an interesting walk, having to work out which path to take in places.

We crossed the main road and had to find our way onto the path to go around Lymm Dam. I had thought we would be directly alongside the lake but we didn't all the way around. We went around the end of the dam on the path, but then I noticed that the walk suggested we walked to the Wishing Bridge, we were able to walk to it from the opposite side. It was pretty through the trees and the ducks were swimming about near the bridge.

As we walked away from the dam we crossed over the zebra crossing and went down some steep steps, a family with a pushchair and another child were trying to come up. We continued along the Dingle to the town. Through Lymm the road was busy, we walked up to Lymm Cross and then over the canal bridge and round onto the canal towpath.

We looked at the houses along the canal, but soon left Lymm and were out into the countryside.

I had thought we might find somewhere to sit for our lunch along the canal but there were no seats. Fortunately Tracey noticed a bench off the path in Spud Wood. 

It didn't take long to get back to the car across a few fields and up the road.

We were passing High Legh Garden Centre on our way home so we stopped there for tea and cake.

 

 

Wedding

Saturday 23 July 2022

Cranage Hall

A lovely evening, with food, dancing and singing.

Middlewich to Aqueduct Marina

Saturday 2 July 7 miles

Jane + Hilary

We met where the Nantwich Road meets the canal. Then we walked from Middlewich along the canal to the Aqueduct Marina. 

 

 

 

The canal sits high in the landscape when passing near Chuch Minshull and you can look at the lovely view over the River Weaver.

We came across a man painting the rusty bits on his boat. We got chatting and his engine wasn't working properly and they had been limping along, so they were waiting to get some help. The boat was called Coddiwompler so we asked about that, it means to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.

 

At the Aqueduct Marina we had a cup of tea and shared a granola bar. John picked us up.