Audlum.

On Tuesday we set off to Audlem, what fun that was battling against the wind. We arrived to moor up by the Aqueduct below the locks. Later the wind grew stronger and the boat was being rocked about as if it was at sea. So we decided to move up two locks into the last mooring spot in the pound above.

We slept well here as it was so peaceful and we weren’t being tossed about so much. Having done all the usual chores we set off to explore the village.

  We passed The Shroppie Fly Inn and noticed this lovely old 1926 Morris Charabanc in the car park there.

Then we passed Audlem Mill, which sells gifts, books and crafts and turned left at the Bridge Inn down towards The Square. I popped into Classic Cuts Hairdressers which is a tiny shop set back from the street. Their prices are very reasonable and are displayed in the window. Luckily they could give me a trim straight away, perfick! They also had a Funky Fishy Feet tank, but I didn’t try that as Bottle was waiting. Next we found the Old Priest House Coffee Shop on the corner, opposite the church gate, and went in for coffee with toasted tea cakes. It is a really homely little place, retaining its old fashioned wooden counter and weighing scales with shelves full of sweets in large jars.

Union Jacks were flying and there were tubs of flowers everywhere brightening up the whole village.

Overlooking the Square behind the old pillared Butter Market is the 15c red sandstone Church of St James the Great.

   

Some of the many stained glass windows were interesting especially these two depicting soldiers and St Hirronymus with his pet Lion.

    

There were many castles in the backgrounds of some of the window scenes. This one would look great on a ‘Roses and Castles’ boat painting don’t you think? We followed a footpath through the fields past Moss Hall and to the bottom lock of the canal. The Shropshire Union Canal is well supplied with useful information boards about local history and things of interest along it’s towpaths.

Beside the bottom lock there is an unusual  little shop selling Georges Pork and Chicken products. The girl who runs it makes the sausages herself and acquired the little hut and land about a year ago. She also has fresh free range eggs and vegetables. Tidy plots of vegetables and flowers have been planted out along the grassy lock side too.  We bought a few things here as we like to support small enterprises like this, and it is so handy for boaters too.