From Staffordshire and into Shropshire

The Shropshire Union Canal or Shroppie, as it is known by the boating world, is a truly beautiful waterway. It is unlike many canals because it is fairly straight and not wiggling along its way. This was achieved by Thomas Telford who built embankments and cuttings to accommodate the canal. Some of the cuttings are rich in vegetation with canopies of green whilst others are hewn from rock. There is even a short tunnel which had been hacked out by man's brute force.  The embankments offer wonderful views across the mainly agricultural countryside to distance hills.

The hedgerows have taken on their summer colours and many of the fields have turned golden already, we even saw a combine working the other day and it's still only June!

The only significant town on this stretch is Market Drayton but there is a peppering of small villages along the way and numerous pubs.

One of the main things we have noticed is the quietness. No motorways,  no railways, only little country roads and no aeroplanes. Just the noise of the countryside,  sheep, cows, hens,dogs, birds and waterfowl. It is so peaceful!

The prettiest water Point we have ever seen!

At Wheaton Aston

Look who came along for a ride.

Anyone know what this pescky creature might be?

Swifts or swallows?