Enjoying our lovely canals ...

How welcome the bright, warmer weather is after a grey winter. The oil seed rape / canola oil fields are so stunning that a drive was needed today - how can you not be uplifted at this sight? 

Our lovely county of Shropshire is a large rural one, the heart of the Industrial Revolution that propelled the world in to the new age of mechanism ...

These canals once carried barges full of merchandise from our Industries around the country, our precious potteries were safely transported by canal when the roads were too bumpy.

They hold a special place in my heart, I love the way they wind through our countryside, unseen at times but the old highways now carry tourist narrow boats along at a leisurely 4 mile per hour pace, a gently hum the only things that disturbs the peace.

The bright weather today gave us the opportunity to get out & a canal walk was my first choice - it has been a long winter & I just knew that the trees would be greening up & it would be perfect ...

I have seen photos of this unusual canal bridge so it was lovely to see it today with the double arch & the telephone wires on the top arch - it is really tall & spans a deep crossing ...

The water was a little muddy today after our recent rains but the ducks with  their sweet young ducklings did not seem to mind ...

The bridges are all different sizes & shapes which frame the views beyond ...

 The countryside is so green now & the hedgerows are filled with pretty flowers ...

We called in for drinks at a tiny little canalside pub - the bar was just this little counter with what looked like 2 front rooms for patrons,  everyone sat in the garden enjoying the canal views & the sunshine - bliss ...

As we eventually walked back, the sun was much brighter & we had walked 7.5km along the tow paths. The reflections were perfect, it was green, peaceful & the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

On the way home, we passed a lot of poly tunnels, all laid out so beautiful,  a nod to the agrarian nature of our county where farming is still very evident. 

Thank you for stopping by & taking the time to read & comment,
Dee ~💕~

An icy canal walk ...

Hi all

Winter seems to have arrived with an icy blast this week after a very mild Autumn.  All around us the neighbours have been busying themselves with trees & outdoor lights.

This morning,  we decided to take an early morning walk along the canals which wind their way through our beautiful rural county of Shropshire.

Crisp, cold mornings are good for photos so it was walking boots, camera, gloves & hat time ...

Norbury Junction is one of many places along the canals.

The ground was icy with iced patches along the tow path & the hedgerows & banks glistened with the frost - very pretty.

The canal boats all tied up along the river bank - some are permanently moored there

A puff of smoke from a wood burner - much needed on a morning like this ...

 Christmas is coming - even on the canal boats

Beautiful reflections along the still canal in the early morning light - a perfectly peaceful walk

The canal winds its way through beautiful Shropshire  / Staffordshire countryside - you would hardly know it is there ...

 

I love paths where the trees meet overhead in a tunnel like scene because it feels cosy & private - how lovely is this?

 Signs of Autumn / Winter in the hedgerows - lots of birds about but they were too quick for us & we didn't think to bring some seed with us ...

 

Where to today?

A sound in the distance - we waited for the canal boat to chug around the corner ...

I love the colours & details on the boats - each individual ...

 

Footpaths up onto the fields around the tow paths

Frost still on the stones of the bridge - crisp & cold morning!

All the ducks in a noisy row in the sunshine ...

 

A local pub / café open with hot coffee

I love this photo of the mist rising over the canals & the tree silhouette.

 I hope you have enjoyed the canal walk with me - it is one of the things that I love about our county of Shropshire - the wide open spaces with interesting sights & lots of lovely countryside.

Have a fabulous week, time is marching on & my tree is not yet up ... Leave a comment so I can return the visit

Dee ~♥~