Dawn Smallwood explores the Shropshire Union Canal from Nantwich to the junction with the Middlewich Branch, and from Audlem to Atherley Junction. Her writing is illustrated with her own acrylic paintings.
On our maiden walk, we walked from West Stockwith, where the canal meets the River Trent, to Clarborough, a village near Retford. It’s a beautiful stretch of the canal with the surrounding countryside and remnants of past industrial activity such as the brickworks near Gringley On the Hill.
Dawn Smallwood recounts the second stage of her walks on the Cheshire Ring, this time walking the Rochdale Canal, Bridgewater Canal and the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Over the past three years, I have walked on or off The Cheshire Ring with an intention of doing it either in a clockwise or anti clockwise direction starting at the Ashton Canal. It turned out that I walked the ring in no intended order as friends and family wanted to join me.
At the end of April and beginning of May we spent a week in the beautiful county of Shropshire. We stayed near Oswestry adjacent to the Montgomery Canal. The Montgomery Canal is one of the most beautiful waterways on the network and appeals to many people particularly for its rural and rustic feel.
During 2018 I walked a considerable stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal during April and May for very good causes. Firstly (over two walks) for English in the Community, an ESOL project I run in East Leeds, and funds were also raised for Freedom4Girls, a charity which works with women and girls and tackles period poverty, and Leeds Conversation Club for Asylum Seekers and Refugees. Secondly in May, via work, for Candlelighters, a children’s cancer charity and part of the 'Just One Day' Lord Mayor (of Leeds) Charity Appeal.
Back in July 2016 our ambition was to walk the whole of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal (in stages of course). I also had planned to walk the Leigh, Rufford and Springs Branches. It was an exciting challenge to have had that opportunity to learn about the industrial and social heritage along the canal and be swept away with the beautiful Pennines countryside.
Back in July 2016 our ambition was to walk the whole of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal (in stages of course). I also had planned to walk the Leigh, Rufford and Springs Branches. It was an exciting challenge to have had that opportunity to learn about the industrial and social heritage along the canal and be swept away with the beautiful Pennines countryside.
One cold Saturday afternoon I re-walked this stretch with my Dad where we started in the City Centre. One must be impressed with the regeneration and restoration of the city’s waterfront and the ongoing prosperity with its businesses, hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants. We started in the Granary Wharf area and proceeded with our walk towards Armley.
