Cotonwood

Cast iron rope fender at Plardiwick Bridge

One of the two well-worn rope fenders on the bridge at Plardiwick. It's included in the Grade II listing that the bridge holds.

Machin's Barn Bridge at Gnosall Heath

Built around 1830 as an accommodation bridge, and Grade II listed Link

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in October 1991.

Cast iron rope fender on the wall of Machin's Barn Bridge

Scarred and grooved by the passage of many years of horse-drawn barges along the canal, this is one of a pair of cast-iron fenders on the bridge, and is included in the Grade II listing details for the site Link

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Canalside scene in Gnosall Heath

These quackers came over to say hello.

Canalside scene in Gnosall Heath

Canals always succeed at being colourful.

The Boat Inn pub in Gnosall Heath

Best pub I know.

Part of the canal in Gnosall Heath

Beautiful.

Morning on the canal at Gnosall Heath

Like me, the ducks here are stretching, moving about and getting ready to explore their environment.

Small parade of shops on Wharf Road, Gnosall Heath

A few local businesses and convenience shops.

Interior of the bar in The Boat Inn, Gnosall heath

The bar scene here can more eloquently speak about the quality of this pub than I can. Impeccable pub. I had a classic liver, bacon and mash with onion gravy and a half of ale for around £11 squids. There were a smattering of wise looking greybeards dotted about looking contented - always a great indicator of any pubs quality. The bar maid was possibly the prettiest I have ever seen and the hostess / landlady / cook was obviously someone who has cornered and mastered their craft so well that it cannot be improved upon. Recommended. The decor was ace - just to my taste (for a pub!). The brass plaque on the wall commemorated a past publican / landlord. A nice touch. I will return.

Shropshire Union Canal - Moored up south of Gnosall

The stretch of the Shropshire Union Canal just south of Gnosall Heath on a sunny Saturday morning.

Rob Farrow

Wide gates to field entry east of Barn Bridge Farm

The size of modern farm machinery has resulted in the access to many fields being widened; this must be an example of that.

Railway path passing beneath bridge

The path is named the Way for the Millennium which is an 'easy walking' path, here following the route of the disused Newport to Stafford railway line. The high bridge carries the A518.

Boat passing boat near Machins Barn Bridge

Intrepid, a smaller vessel, is passing the narrowboat Angelica, which is moored just north-west of bridge 37, on the Shropshire Union Canal near to Gnosall Heath.

Detached house at or near Cotonwood

The cottage is among a group of buildings including at least one other house, accessed from the minor road, Radmore Lane. A public footpath passes between the buildings.

Shropshire Union Canal heading towards bridge No. 35

Bridge No. 35, Newport Road Bridge, can be seen in the distance; the brick-built building beside it is Coton Mill.

Narrowboat moored below house on Mill Lane

The boat, (no name detected), is moored at a private jetty which appears to run along the length of the Shropshire Union Canal below the gardens of the houses on Mill Lane in Gnosall Heath. The houses appear to be relatively new and were doubtless marketed as having the canal-side facility.