Staffs Way - Great Haywood to Rugeley

Leaving Shugborough behind, we encountered this lovely packhorse bridge taking us over the River Trent

The recesses are passing places. These days, Health and Safety would not permit such low sides! They are barely knee height.

This area is a popular wild swimming location. I swam here myself in the 1970s, though I think the water was rather polluted in those days.  I'm still here though. 

Two local children were paddling when we passed, but there were no swimmers.

The Trent is broad and fairly shallow here

The river (seen through the trees)...

... runs alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal for several miles. There are lovely views towards Cannock Chase

The lock at Little Haywood.

 I loved these tumbledown sheds by the church.

Reflections near Bishton Hall...

...which is a prep school, also advertising as a wedding venue.

 The canal crosses the Trent on an aqueduct just before Rugeley

Rugeley Power Station dominates the view. We didn't have time to look at the town

 Rugeley station is unmanned which is quite eerie when you're not used to it.

The sun began to set, reminding us that long walking days are over for the winter.

Walk details: the day's walk was rather long (14.5 miles) owing to a miscalculation on my part. This section, Shugborough to Rugely, is about 5 miles. We started by parking in Wolverhampton, getting the train to Penkridge and walking from there to Rugeley Trent Valley Station. From there, a train to Stafford, then a change to Wolverhampton. The walk took us six and a half hours (including stops for food and photos). Unless you are very fit, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it distance-wise, although it was pretty interesting! The Cannock - Shugborough section is the best bit. The last bit into Rugeley is not part of the Staffs Way, but was necessary to get to the station. (Not that pretty if I'm honest)