Way down upon the swaneeee River Trent .....

Dear oh dear, not feeling so good today. Coughing and sneezing, must have picked up some germs somewhere. Today is going to be an easy day. I've got these pictures from the walk I did on Tuesday. I left the hotel after breakfast with my new OS map, and some snacks. 

The Trent and Mersey canal goes through Burton, so I made my way to the Shobnall Marina, (check out web site), where the canal crosses Shobnall Street. It was a lovely sunny morning with a slight breeze. As I stopped to take some photo's I chatted to the man who lives in that bungalow over there. It all looked very immaculately tidy. Lots of pot plants about. I think some of these boats have permanent moorings, they had their own little pot plant gardens. I'm not sure that I would like to live that close to my neighbours, with just a wooden walkway between. 

Out of the side gate and onto the canal, heading towards Lichfield. I won't be going that far, but the canal makes a nice start to a day walk.

I waited a few minutes for this boat to come out of the lock on the other side of the bridge. Makes a nice picture.

The canal runs adjacent to the A38 trunk road, so you are never very far away from the traffic noise. In some parts there are factories and warehouses on both sides, adding to the noise with their shunting lorries and fork lift trucks. 

Passing Branston I met a lady out for a walk with her dog, which immediately jumped up to greet me. She apologised but I said no matter, I love happy dogs. It's surprising how much conversation you can have with someone in ten minutes. I immediately warmed to her, being very similar to me in her outlook on life. She would be the sort of friend I would have if I lived here. 

I carried on, the canal comes very close to the A38 as it approaches Barton under Needwood. Here I had to cross over at Barton Turn to the other side via a small bridge over the top, to access the Marina. I have been here before with my sister and family, so no need to linger long. Just enough time to sit and have a bite to eat. 

There is a lot to do for day trippers, walks around the lake, shopping, cinema, and eating out. There are posh apartments if you want to live here.

I decided to get off the canal at this point, and turn left over the railway line and over the River Trent, towards Walton village. This is the bridge over the river. If you are lucky you might see some fun and games when a slightly larger vehicle decides to try and squeeze through.

Looking down as I walked over on a separate footpath, a swan family with six youngsters. 

I followed the road through Walton to Rosliston, found a bench and sat for a few minutes to study the map to work out my next move. If I make my way towards Swadlincote I could head back to Burton from there. Just as I got up to leave a man who had been washing his car at the house opposite came over to speak to me. He asked if I was going to the Forestry Centre, and said the road is busy with traffic, and he could let me through his back gate so I could avoid that. How kind people are. I went straight through onto the track, away from the road.

I didn't take any photo's here, because it was rather busy with families and children running around having a lot of fun. It's ideal for children, wide open spaces, things to climb on, and woods to build dens. I like this mural on the Visitor Centre. There is a good web site if you want more information. My sister takes her grand kids there.

I went to the shop to pick up a site map, and the man explained which path I should take to get out of the place. I headed for Caldwell. Following the road from there towards the A444 to Cadley Hill. Not an ideal route to take as it was busy with cars, but the most direct. By now time was getting on and I needed the shortest route back to Burton.

The riverside gardens at Stapenhill are always a delight to wander through. There are pictures elsewhere on this blog from a previous visit. I am standing at the top of the terraced gardens looking down on the swan.

Absolutely beautiful. When I was a mere nipper we came on the bus to spend the afternoon playing in these gardens.

The wildlife know that if they hang around for a while, someone will come along and feed them.

Nearly back. All I had to do was cross the bridge, call in at Tesco to pick up something for tea, and back to the hotel. Well chuffed with my walk, a bit of allsorts to look at, and some nice people to chat to. 16.5 miles. Another walk tomorrow. not as long because I will be driving home after it. Best study the map and decide where I want to go. 

Now I am tired, I must eat. Toodle pip.  ilona