Brewood

Friday 18th September: Last week's Calf Heath and Coven outing had proved so enjoyable that I was immediately keen to try another canal-based adventure. My research pointed me towards the Shropshire Union Canal, with a walk from Autherley Junction to Brewood proving very enticing...

I start off as last week, catching the 698 down to Wobaston. This time the bus is an Optare Solo, and the driver kindly lets me get a couple of photos before I head off to Marsh Lane. Whilst my walk proper would begin at Autherley Junction, I wanted to have a quick look at Pendeford, mainly because I wanted a photo or two of Priory Green School. The school is situated just off the Square, next to the library, and is currently subject to a consultation process that could see the place close in August 2010. Apparently a number of schools in the local area are carrying excessive surplus places, with the result that one school needs to be sacrificed in order to keep the other viable. A tough decision indeed.

To Autherley Junction then, and I greet the Shropshire Union Canal with a flurry of photos of the Junction Bridge and Autherley Lock. I've visited the junction countless times down the years but something about the place keeps drawing me back. Actually, much of the route I will be walking this morning is familiar territory, including the next section up past Dovecotes to Turnover Bridge and into Staffordshire. A sense of peace and relaxation is already evident as I head into more rural surroundings.

Beyond Bridge 4 I enter into a zone of new exploration, as I'd never covered the segment up past The Hattons until now. I was hoping for some nice bridges to photograph and I wasn't to be disappointed - both bridges 5 and 6 were delightful traditional stone examples, with the only modern intrusion coming in the form of the M54 motorway. Hunting Bridge (No. 7) marks my return to previous ground, and also provides the setting for a conversation with an angler who was telling me about building work, soffits and scaffolding. You can meet some great characters when out exploring the canals, and this was certainly a nice moment.

The chap also commented on the scenic photogenic quality of the approach to Brewood, and this was something I relished revisiting. I continued from Bridge 7 to Bridge 14, a stretch that includes the impressively grand Avenue Bridge near Chillington Hall. Every single one of the bridges had its own unique charm and character, some lit brightly by the morning sunshine whilst others nestle snugly in sleepy shade. At one point a majestic heron swooped by, providing a stunning reminder of the canal's important role as a wildlife habitat.

After nearly two hours of gentle walking, the spire of Brewood Church loomed on the horizon. I leave the canal at Bridge 14 and launch into local photos, starting with the Bridge Inn pub and the Catholic Church on Kiddemore Green Road. Heading into the village, I spot St Dominics School before branching off down Newport Street to find the local library. Brewood has been a favourite of mine for a while, often serving Dad and I very well during our weekend strolls, so it was good to be back. I add in views of the police station and St Mary & St Chad's before deciding I need a pint.

All that walking had certainly given me a thirst, so I called in at The Admiral Rodney for a pint of Timothy Taylor. The pub is located on Dean Street, just down from the Church, and did the job just nicely. I find a quiet corner to have a read of the newspaper and rest my legs, which weren't actually as weary as I'd anticipated. Thirst quenched, I head up to the Market Place for views of the village centre, complete with old fashioned wooden fingerpost overlooked by Speedwell Castle, The Swan Hotel and the Lion - the latter sadly having closed down.

Feeling refreshed, its time for some lunch. I pop in the Village Bakery on Stafford Street to sample their vegetable slices, and ended up participating in a bizarre conversation about lizards with the girl at the counter and the local butcher. Now I'm hardly an expert on the dietary habits of lizards, so I couldn't offer much in the way of advice, but it made for the second memorable conversation of the day. With lunch heated through, I head off to find somewhere to eat it and time things just right to get a shot of the Route 3 Green Bus calling at the bus stop outside the Post Office.

Having got my photo and received a thumbs up from the driver, I settle down to savour my slice before doing another photographic loop of the village. The library came in for some more attention, as did the school and a curious building called The Old Bank. I had a bit of time to kill before the next Green Bus was due, so I popped into the Swan for a slow pint. After some deliberation, I settled on some Abbot Ale and it proved a decent accompaniment as I once again did battle with the Metro sudoku - unfortunately, the puzzle got the better of me this week. Come 2pm its time to catch my bus, with the 3 echoing the 698 earlier in providing a repeat of last week. The bus arrives bang on time with the same driver and vehicle I'd photographed earlier; I'm pleased to note the driver still had a friendly smile. I take my seat for a cracking, breezy Green Bus ride back through Coven that proves a fine way to end proceedings, thus bringing to a close another canal classic.