Blenheim Palace grounds - celebrating 300 years of Capability Brown

Well, here's where I had my picnic lunch on Good Friday. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. I've decided to visit a few places connected with Lancelot "Capability" Brown this year, as it's 300 years since he was born.

Before he started landscaping it, this was a valley with a small brook running through it. Now there are two lakes and a couple of islands. (The lake above is the biggest stretch of open water in Oxfordshire, apparently)

Lots of other tourists were there too...

...though most didn't venture far from the buildings.

Capability Brown preferred plain grass to sweep up to the house, to emphasise the building itself: he was not a fan of ornate gardens, which he regarded as artificial.

 
With of course, a lake nearby!

  

A relic from an earlier period: Rosamund's Well - reputedly built by Henry II for his mistress, Rosamund Clifford.

The Grand Bridge

No avenue of trees leading here (again regarded as too artificial) 

The Column of Victory - celebrating the Battle of Blenheim. 

Out in the park the buds were beginning to burst into growth

All of the paths are surfaced, which makes them ideal for wheelchairs and pushchairs

It was possible to get well away from others. This is part of the Oxfordshire Way which passes through the grounds.

Gardening under way at Park Farm

Our circular walk took us back to the lake again, then back to the house.

What a fabulous place to learn to ride a scooter, 

There were carriage rides available - and face painting too, apparently.

Very atmospheric.

The gift shop

Blenheim is of course associated with Winston Churchill

There was lots more to see: I didn't manage to get to see the Capability Brown Exhibition (but actually visiting the grounds was probably better). Nor did I visit the house, or the formal gardens round the back!

Today's walk: 6 miles round the grounds. Didn't see all the highlights, but a stunning place to take a walk. 
There is an admission fee of £14.90 to visit the park and gardens, but the public footpaths in the wider part of the park are free to visit because they are rights of way. The purchase of a ticket allows you to visit throughout the year as an annual pass. (They take your photo so you can't pass it on to a friend. Though if you're a twin...) Highly recommended. But not on a Bank Holiday: traffic queues to get in.

Coven to Gailey - a Staffs and Worcs canal walk

Keeping up my mileage, as part of my "#Walk 1000 Miles 2016" mission, I decided to walk this section of the lovely Staffs and Worcs Canal. Starting here, at Cross Green Bridge, Coven( WV10 7PW)

The day was a mixture of sunny and cloudy
 

In more sheltered places, the hawthorn was starting to come out - in that lovely lime-y green.

Canoes belonging to Laches Wood Outdoor Education Centre.

In the distance, I could see some industrial buildings. Because this canal was built by James Brindley and follows a winding route, it was almost an hour before I actually got there, though it's only a couple of fields away.

Moat House Bridge. The canal here uses part of an old moat, which carries on along the hedge bank.

I saw no-one at all on the towpath on today's walk.

...apart from some wildlife, of course. These ducks were just by Hatherton Junction.

Beyond the narrow boats, a beautiful willow-fringed pond

At Hatherton, the junction is with a canal which is now disused, but once linked into the Birmingham Canal network. I was hoping to get a closer look, but the path was barred.

Canalside woodland (this bit is private)

I cruised down this canal in 1985 - but I can't remember it really. I don't suppose it has changed much though.

Long Moll's Bridge - typical of many along this section

And, a mystery. There are regular plaques like this, saying they are part of Long Moll's Walk, but I can't find any other details. The signs indicate it was set up by British Waterways - but as to length, route, etc I have no idea.

Here's the Factory I saw an hour ago. 

I like this bridge at Calf Heath. It was rebuilt in 1989 but the brick is carefully chosen so it doesn't look too obviously modern.

The canal then passes a chemical works with this rather frightening sign. (I think they mean metres though). 

Lovely redwood by the side of the factory

And then, I arrived at my destination, Gailey, with its brightly painted hire boats getting ready for the summer trade.

Lovely old canal building

The round house was originally for toll collection

 

Beautiful old brick

The tunnels under the A5 - for the canal(left) and people/horses(right).

As seen from the A5

The garage has a few seats inside, where I had a cup of coffee (ok, and some chocolate), before starting the return journey. Not the most romantic, but very welcome

I then walked back to my car: 10.9 miles altogether for the out and back trip, and a very pleasant walk indeed.

Today's walk: park at Cross Green Bridge (WV10 7PW) and just follow the Staffs and Worcs Canal until you reach Gailey - then turn and head back! Don't be put off by the chemical works: it was only a very small stretch - the rest was very rural. 10.9 miles easy walking

#walk 1000 miles is a scheme promoted by Country Walking magazine. Anyone can sign up to it: you count whatever you want - could be every single step you take, or like me, just the ones with boots on. I did an earlier blogpost about it  - click here to see it

Brewood to Wheaton Aston, a Staffordshire walk on the Shropshire Union Canal

A lovely sunny day for a walk along the Shropshire Union Canal.
Starting at Brewood, Staffs...

...it was lovely to see washing hanging out to dry.

Wooden skull and crossbones (as well as the flag) on this pirate narrow boat.

This canal was built by Thomas Telford: like the Romans, he liked the most direct routes. So some of the canal is on embankments, like this,...

...while other bits are in deep cuttings.

I love the mileposts on this canal.

Telford's aqueduct over the A5. Very different view from when driving a car!

The trough is quite narrow (NB Poppy, the dog who I was dog-sitting)

Looking back at the aqueduct, into the sunlight

Another cutting. The direct route was definitely quicker for boats, but because the cuttings don't get much sunlight, they are slower for humans (and dogs).

And here's why: that mud stays almost all year round!

Most of the way it is okay though

Lock at Wheaton Aston

Through Wheaton Aston Bridge

Steps down to a nature reserve: a handy place to sit to have lunch.

Open views from another embankment

A lovely day for muck-spreading. Hmmm

We turned round here. Another disadvantage of straight canals: you can see the bridge from a distance away, and it takes  ages to get any nearer.

Though Poppy did her best to add some perspective

As we headed homewards from this out and back walk, the sky clouded over a little.

Not that this matters when there's plenty to sniff, apparently.

Another view of Telford's aqueduct, and we were home.

A great walk - but expect mud whenever you go.
As we did it, it was 8.5 miles. Not bad for Poppy, an 11 year old poodle. (She did sleep well the next day)
Today's walk: An out and back walk. 8.5 miles in total. I parked by the small Catholic school in Brewood and just walked. Apart from at Wheaton Aston (the shops are quite far from the canal) , there are few facilities, but good cafes (and pubs) in Brewood. You can just keep going until you feel the need to turn back.