We love to take gentle strolls along canal towpaths once stepped on by the large feet of horses pulling barges. At this time of year leaves are coming out from their buds, wildflowers are beginning to flower and birds are becoming more active.
We began just outside the Welsh market town of Welshpool and walked away from the town. As we moved further away more wildflowers were showing themselves, some plants of the hedgerow or woodland edge. They seemed happy living by a canal.
We walked past a swing bridge, a beautifully balanced piece of machinery. Later we found another which proved too much for Jude and Vicky to resist trying out.
Not long after we reached the point at which we planned to turn back, Pool Quay. We stopped for a coffee before making the return wander back along the towpath. We found a few surprises, an old door with no purpose and a beautiful nesting swan who gave us a hard stare as we walked past. Her partner hissed and flared his wings at us when we met him further along the canal.
We love canal side walks and often return to this path to stretch our legs.
greenbenchramblings 
2 replies on “A spring time canal walk”
Aren’t there by-laws against young hooligans playing on the swing bridges? What beautiful light. Thanks for another great walk. Slow walking indeed is an art: we really took time to look.
Now, that’s a walk including flowers, animals, garden art, swing bridge, and a historical path. Nice. 🙂