Walk along a Warwickshire Canal

 

Just over a week ago D and I decided on a canal walk - we weren't sure where but I decided to head towards South Warwickshire and the Lapworth area and we ended up at the Stratford upon Avon canal at Lowsonford where we have walked before.

We parked by a buttercup field.

We went on a Friday afternoon and it was much quieter than it is at weekends! 

There were lots of buttercups, plus yellow flag, red campion, hogweed, speedwell and cow parsley along the side of the tow path.

Before leaving I drove through the village of Lowsonford to look for the church.  An interesting looking footpath there!

The church of St Luke, Lowsonford.  I didn't have time to go in the churchyard unfortunately. I also rediscovered another pub we used to visit - The Fleur de Lys and on the road to Rowington was a pub Dad and Mum used to visit - the Tom o' the Wood.

A few of D's photos from the walk

We didn't see any butterflies, damsel or dragonflies and again bee numbers were low but D did manage to photo this Nettle Tap moth (thanks to Dean and Amanda on twitter for confirming my id).

D and E have been baking together again. They used the recipe and contents of another Great British Bake Off Box to make mini banana loaves!

I hope everyone is staying safe and well.

A Walk Along the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal in Warwickshire

Last Saturday D and I decided to walk along the Stratford upon Avon canal near Yarningale Common.

Signs of autumn in the hedgerows as berries appear.

*D

Last time we were here we did a circular walk ending up at Yarningale Common starting at the canal and turning right but this time we walked in the opposite direction toward Preston Bagot rather than Claverdon.

The canal was constructed between 1793 and 1812.

Bucket Lodge Cottage - the barrel roof design is I believe unique to this canal.

The split in the bridges by the locks allowed the ropes of horse drawn narrow boats to pass through.

I think this plant is Burdock but please correct me if I am wrong.

*D

*D

Acorns are appearing

Although along most of the canal the banks are well vegetated but in places where there is little vegetation you see this which is not good news for species such as Water Voles as they are unable to bury into the bank :(

Elderberries - my father used to make country wines and Elderberry and also Elderflower were particularly good.

Birds seen included Mallard,

flocks of tits and Swallows swooping low over the water.

Butterflies seen included many Speckled Wood

When we reached the lane at Preston Bagot we decided to retrace our steps.

If you want to see the post from a few years ago when did a circular walk along the canal and then through fields and woods to Yarningale Common please see here


We then drove the short distance to the village of Wootton Wawen for a very tasty pub lunch at The Bulls Head.

*D

*D

After lunch we walked across to explore the Saxon Sanctuary of St Peter's church which is the oldest church in Warwickshire and full of interest. I will write about the church in my next post.


*D photos taken by my son with the Canon SX50HS bridge camera

Rest of photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera