Rural landscape

22/5/2018


Travelling south east from the west midlands, late Spring, a rural path down the Trent & Mersey to the Staffordshire  Canal, heading towards Birmingham. Some lovely misty mornings, cross country walks on the public footpath system - an amazing resource. In books such as Larks Rise to Candleford, the origin of these paths is explained. People mostly walked, horses were for the wealthier, so all of rural England is linked by these paths. Stiles to cross fences, footbridges across streams. No map is needed for the shorter walks,  as you simply assume that the path will lead you to the church steeple in the distance,  or the field you cross will have a simple footpath arrow on the other side, and walking in a loop or circuit will lead you back to your starting point.  Not knowing what you will discover, is one of the delights.

The very settled nature of even the countryside,, with small enterprises like the home made bread, or farm gate eggs and milk, pleasant adjuncts to our 3.5 mph progress. Where the 2 canals meet, a particularly fine canalside store,  with local veg,  fine yoghurt, seasonal fruit- a cornucopia supplying our small larder. Later, we strolled back to visit another small enterprise, a pub boat,  with seating on the towpath, and enlightening conversation with the local imbibers. The boat travels to festivals across the canal network. There are a number of boat based businesses we have come across, selling books, cheese, coffee, tarot readings, fenders, as well as the very useful fuel boats.

The Staffordshire canal gently climbs towards Wolverhampton, where we were joined by a couple of friends, Angela and Chris, from the valley, who happen to know and love the canals, including locks. They were forewarned that their day with us was to include the 21 locks climbing the hill to Wolverhampton, and took to their windlasses with glee. We did the 21 in the record time (for us) of 90 minutes.

The weather is being remarkably kind, cool nights, sunny days, around 20°. Have unearthed the sunscreen and hats. The boat and Cap'n  are fine,  the deckhand has a dodgy knee which is on the mend.

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