Last days of autumn

Travelling today east on the Shroppie- the Shropshire Union Canal, from the Chester direction, towards Birmingham, then a turn left onto the canal branch leading north to Middlewich, on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

We had moored last night above Wharton Lock, where a right of way crosses farmland, under a railway, to the foot of Beeston Castle, built on a rocky outcrop. Built in the 13th century, but there is evidence of pre historic use of the  rock, unsurprising given its defensive possibilities.

We last climbed to the castle with Nick, James and 2 of Jeffrey's nieces, 4 children, 11 to 14 years old, in 1999, also having walked there from a canalboat.

A photo attached of the views, which reach for miles in all directions.

A landholder who owned the castle in the 19th century, John Tollemache, wrote about the responsibility of a land owner, which should be in the hearts of every leader, in respect of their business, land or elected duties:
             ' the only real and lasting pleasure derived from the possession of a landed
               estate is to witness the improvement in the social condition of those
               residing on it'

If only!

Later, the gentle beauty of the canal landscape in the late afternoon,  and we try to photograph the bliss of it. Life on water, by water.

We finally moor at 5, in the gloom of a cold wintry evening.

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