You might recall that I attempted this walk last Friday (27 June). Due to setting off late and the ominous looking weather that appeared as I was walking I took a shortcut home.

Today, 2nd July 2025, I walked the complete route starting the walk from the nearest place to my home which is the underpass near to Leegomery Pools. I enjoyed the walk in this order because it started and finished on some of the best bits of the route. I took my time and sampled many of the benches that line the walk

I am not sure what is happening with the historic locks on this route. Not long after they had been (recently) repaired and reinstalled they were walled off with wire barricades and allowed to become completely overgrown! Not the best way to showcase or preserve the towns history.

The photos are in the order I walked the route and from both of my walks.

I was pleased when my recently ordered board game arrived a day or two earlier than expected. Not having to wonder if a parcel might arrive meant that I could enjoy an afternoon walk in the sunshine.

I chose to walk along Hurley Brook which can be linked to a pathway that leads to Hadley Locks. For some reason the locks are once again surrounded by industrial fencing which is not appealing to the eye or camera lens.

My walk led me back to a favourite place of mine, Leegomery Pool. Some works around the pool have led it to feel more urban than the quiet country space that it used to be. I think the ducks and geese agree, only a few remain and I haven’t seen any babies this year.

Later in the day, after my 5 mile walk Mr C and I walked into town (another 2 miles) for a small gathering to celebrate a friend’s significant birthday. There was much laughter and a dear friend drove us home.

If you are wondering about the railroads… Building railroads is the theme of a board game, building the railway to the Snowdon summit. There are many expansion packs adding to the idea, exploring other railroads in both England and the wider world. The game is out of print but I was lucky to source a new copy along with the expansion pack that corrects some cards that were incorrectly printed wrong in the Deluxe Master set edition of the game.

I am looking forward to playing the game with friends. It has railroad scenarios unique to them.

For several months my compact camera has intermittently malfunctioned in several ways. One of the irritating features was when I pressed the zoom function it started video recording instead. On my recent walk in Shrewsbury the zoom function failed completely.

I take pleasure in photographing what I see when I am out and about and although I have my larger ‘mirrorless’ camera that is not convenient on every adventure.

I was reluctant to choose the same make camera that had failed, it is the second that has failed me and Mr C’s camera of the same make (and model) recently stopped functioning properly. I settled on a Canon G7X MkII and searched for the cheapest option from a reputable supplier. I was surprised to find a kit including the camera, memory card and flexible mini tripod had recently been reduced. It was cheaper than buying the camera on its own. A bargain not to be missed!

My planned afternoon walk in the sunshine testing out my camera didn’t go according to plan, I ended up with a quick walk along a local pathway as the sun was setting. I am happy with the quality of the images and I am reminded why I always loved Canon cameras.

I now have to get to grips with the menu system so I can fine tune my photographic ideas.

I walked one of my local routes to see if it was completely accessible for less mobile walkers and pushchairs. There is one small portion of the pathway that I am not sure about. The walk is on the level but the pathway is uneven for a short stretch of the way.

These are some of the views I saw along the way.

When I set off on my afternoon walk I wasn’t sure where it would take me. I followed my instincts as paths diverted along the way.

My first destination was Leegomery pool, the new ducklings declined to show an appearance. Where would I walk next?

I chose to walk along Hurley Brook which led to one of the Hadley Locks. Where would I walk next?

I chose to walk along the Silkin Way to the Hadley Park Windmill and back to the Hadley Lock junction where I opted for the long route home via Hadley Cemetery and a return to Leegomery Pools.

It was not the best of routes for a ’sit and rest a while’ bench, I had to do a detour to experience that pleasure