Way to Whitchurch.

We were off at our normal time and it was already warm.

We were very soon at the first lock of the day Marbury Lock. I loved the house that was on three levels, I really loved the barley twist railings. I like the fact that there was time and money to do more than just a straight rail!

There were to be quite a few locks today and Helen was relishing the challenge of getting us up Quoisley, Willey and Povey's Locks.  Before arriving at the first of the Grindley Brook Locks the canal passes the Land of Canaan, that on a day like today could well be the Promised Land.

At the foot of the 6 Grindley Brook Locks is this old wooden warehouse that has been put over to a new commerce. I had time to have a quick look to see if there were any books that appealed, but none did. The building reminded me of the little warehouse at the Burton end of the river section near Alrewas,

There were voluntary keepers on the three lock staircase and we were soon up at the top.

There are several taps above the locks and nobody on them so we stopped to fill up. Helen took the rubbish down to the bins and came back with an ice cream for us.

We went on a little further and stopped before the Whitchurch Arm, just in case there was no room. We did walk into the town via the footpath over the top of the hill. I loved this building, the former stables of the Temperance Hotel.

Whitchurch was called Mediolanum in Roman times and means the place in the middle of the plain. St Alkmund's Church was built in 1713 after its predecessor fell down a couple of years previously. There is a similar church in Banbury

Having being born on Trafalgar Day I have a long term interest in all things Nelson. It seems that the Lieutenant saved the Admiral Collingwoods ship as he countermanded an order given by him in error. He was promised a reward and HMS Pickle was the fastest ship in the fleet so he sent him back with the news of Victory and Nelson's death. He had to pay his own fare from Portsmouth to London and burst in to the Admiralty with the news. He was rewarded with £500 and Lloyds gave him a sword worth 100 guineas.

The inside of the church was bright and airy and nice and cool in the heat of the day.

Outside, by the door, were these cast iron plaques that were a modern tombstone. I have never seen these anywhere else. They didn't catch on though it seems.

We walked back via the stub of the Whitchurch Arm that survives. There are hopes that the arm will be extended a bit further beyond the bridge and to a small basin with moorings.