Wilmecote to Lowsonford Sunday

I walked out into Wilmecote for milk at 0930 on this bright, beautiful, Sunday morning. The church bell was sounding its single note for the 0945 family service. Several families excitedly walking through the streets to church. The 4X4 drivers still at home sleeping it off.

My heart was gladdened to see this. But still my mind cynically wondered if it had more to do with acceptance criterion in the nearby Cof E school.

Underway at 1030 through the wonderful landscape of the southern Stratford canal. Not going near many villages its very rural and isolated. Deep in wooded valleys then, without warning soaring above everything on the Edstone Aquaduct. Crossing two railway lines and a road.

Edstone Aquaduct

The Stratford canal was never very successful and closed in the 1930s. It was restored in the early 1960s and for many years was administered by the National Trust before being absorbed back by British Waterways in 1988.

Edstone Aquaduct

Typical narrow Bridge. Southern Stratford Canal

Barrel Roofed Cottage Lowsonford

At Lowsonford the old barrel roofed lock keepers cottage which had been occupied by "Old Ned" from his birth in 1926 to his death in 2006 now belongs to the Landmark Trust. As we went by the cottage they were making a film to publicise it as it is now let out for weekend breaks.  I spoke with the guy shooting the film about the history of the place.

He filmed us going through the adjacent lock as part of his film.