Staffordshire Way - Shropshire Union Canal near Brewood, and beyond

 Walking from Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal, after a mile and a half, I came to this - Thomas Telford's aqueduct over the A5

Bit rusty! But spectacular

Autumn colours, and berries

The boat here, Plover was built in 1915 and has been restored. This boatyard was very active as I passed. Good to see.

Thomas Telford was a ruthless canal builder. I walked 2.5 miles, and the canal was absolutely straight - achieved by using embankments, cuttings and aqueducts. Earlier canal builders, such as James Brindley, built their canals winding around on the contours. No such softness for Telford!

 

Straight, this time in a cutting...

...and more straightness.

The Way leaves the canal, passing many fruit farms ...

...with their huge numbers of poly tunnels

 Lapley church beckoned - a chance to sit on the wall and drink my flask of coffee

 It was simple inside

Harvest is this Sunday. They are raising money to build a toilet for walkers (and the congregation of course) Would save having to look for friendly bushes!

Lapley Manor is almost hidden by trees

To be continued. Penkridge tomorrow!