Wildflowers in the sun.

The sun was up and enticing us outward so after breakfast we went for a walk down to Hopwas Woods. I noticed that the MOD have put new signs up and flag poles to warn of the range when in use. I confess that it had become disused altogether. We crossed the Wood Bridge and went up the hill.

From the top of the hill we could look down into a valley and all ready the different greens are just about ready to burst forth.

The whole area is covered with this pole birches and other trees. That makes me think that the whole area was bare of trees about 20 years ago as they are all the same age. I wonder if it was to do with the gravel extraction or maybe a fire started from the firing range. The atmosphere is sort of Tolkeinesque in nature and, like John Wesley the founder of the Methodist's, he seems to have been everywhere for a fleeting period.

Sight of the canal from the wood.

The dappled sun through the trees lit up secluded patches of bluebells. Here is a nice mix of bluebells, wood anemones and celandine. It was a lovely walk.

On the way back to the boat the walk back along the towpath was pleasant with lots of boats on the move.

We set off with the intention of heading to Fazeley to get rid of the rubbish and fill up with water and do a little shopping. We were lucky that the Peel Wharf facilities were free as it is the only rubbish point. There is recycling there now. We were quickly finished and pulled over to the towpath side. We had lunch and then went to the Tesco Express for supplies. On the way we passed a barbers. We have forgotten the shears for Helen to give me my short back and sides so I popped in as Helen was getting embarrassed to be seen with me. £10 lighter and the best part of an hour later I was out and back to the boat.

The War Memorial in Fazeley is a little different and I like the fact that they are flying the Union flag there too.

We turned right at the junction and headed up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. We were soon passing the mill that was built for weaving of haberdashery and upholstery. We could be in Lancashire or Yorkshire!

We were soon through the iconic Drayton footbridge with swing bridge next to it. We were soon coming up the Tame Valley and the Kingsbury Water Park. There were loads of swans in the field next to the canal, so I assume that they are last years brood that haven't paired off, or reached maturity or something. Like kids hanging about on a street corner I suppose.

We stopped before the locks and will have a walk in the morning before setting off up the Curdworth Locks.