"We could sail down the Avenue .."

Friday, 12 March 2010 19:25

"But we haven't got at yacht"

But we do have a narrowboat! However that too would be no good on this particular Avenue! So, "yes a walk down the Avenue's what we'll take"!

That song rang in our ears as we walked east from Avenue Bridge (10) on the Shropshire Union Canal. If like us you are now humming the tune - there is a thread about the song on Mudcat Cafe Forum.

You may know that this in one of my favourite bridges. It was a "sop" to a past local landowner - clickety click

Avenue Bridge from above the canal, for a change!

We have never explored above the canal and the Lower Avenue (eastwards) has become a lovely wooded walk. It is lined with beech, oak and holly trees and we initially took the "Telford" route. Our return was on the "Brindley" route. (My nick-names for the paths)

The "Telford" path - wide and straight

Trees are very special and have so many moods. I love photographing them and when John decided he was going to get close up and personal with one I had to snap the encounter!

The tree hugger

I had the feeling we were being watched and guess what - we were! In the undergrowth was the Cheshire (wrong county!) Staffordshire Cat.

No Alice around, though

At the end of the Lower Avenue is a gate leading on to Brewood Road. Beside the gate is a cottage. Perhaps this was the gate cottage for Chillington Hall.

Gate and cottage

Our return was on the "Brindley" path (narrow and winding), through the wood and alongside the fields. There were a few clearings and in one was this ancient beech tree.

What a beauty

And so to return to Epiphany we went down the steps from Avenue Bridge and onto the canal towpath.