Colton to Bednall

February 18th 2005 was the date of this stretch of the walk. From the car in Colton we crossed the small bridge before entering a field on the left. We then paused whilst le Coddy a eu une fuite. We set off at a brisk walk to warm up on a day which threatened rain in between sunny spells. The first part of the walk found us quickly on the tow path of the Trent and Mersey canal, which used to be the Grand Trunk Canal, walking in the direction of Stafford, which brought back memories of 1993 when myself and the family had a narrow boat holiday which took us along this part of the canal. We made excellent time because it was dry under foot and flat also. The tow path walk is nearly 4 miles long and is in lovely countryside looking over towards Cannock Chase. We were accompanied by the Trent Valley Railway on one side and the River Trent on the other. After a pleasant walk during which we could see Shugborough Hall over to our left we reached bridge 73 where we left the canal and crossed the old packhorse bridge, Essex Bridge, at Great Haywood. I have often travelled through Great Haywood by car and motor bike but didn't realise just how close it is to the bridge and Shugborough until returning by car after the walk, Pete showed me the side road off the main road which leads to the canal and Essex Bridge.
We crossed the narrow bridge and passed in front of Shugborough Hall and its impressive facade. In a short time we were on the Stafford to Rugeley Road and thence onto the Chase via the Punch Bowl car park and picnic area. Why is it called the Punch Bowl? I don't know. We paused briefly here for a bite to eat. Coddy produced a large orange and Pete suggested they shared it because he had one also which they could share later.
Onwards and upwards to the Sherbrook stepping stones. Just beyond Pierre spotted a fallow deer amongst some trees. It was well camouflaged and he did well to see it but as our eyes grew accustomed to the gloom in the trees we saw that she was part of a small herd which included two stags. One was old and limping but it had a quite large head of antlers. Coddy didn't stop to look. I don't think he's into wild life unless he was thinking about those horses on the last walk. It surprised me just how tame they were. They knew we were there a hundred yards away but took no notice. I took a photo of them.
Shortly after it started to rain a little so we parked ourselves under the shelter of a tree and ate our sandwiches. Pete then produced his orange. It was the size of a small plum! We continued and the Chase opened up a little and there were fewer trees and the rain ceased. We arrived at a trig point near to a glacial boulder. It was mainly down hill from this point, passed an area which used to be a first World War army camp, across the main A34 Cannock/Stafford road to Bednall. The total distance of this walk was 10 miles exactly and it took us 4 hours, exactly. I think we all enjoyed the walk. It was varied and full of interest all of the way.