Sunday 23 January 2011

A Walk From The Book


Its the first walk in the book at a place called
 Grindley Locks near Whitchurch  
As with all the walks in the book it starts at a pub and is a round walk ending back at the start.
Our starting point for this walk was

The Horse and Jockey
On the A41 between Whitchurch and Chester.

Quote from the book by Robert Smart
"The Horse and Jockey is a typical roadside inn. Rather too close to the town to ever have been a coaching inn, it nevertheless would have been used by road and canal travellers. built about 1780, most of it appears to be original with very little in the way of recent additions".
The book was printed in 1995 so in that time I think there have been some additions,
 but they are in keeping with the old part of the pub.

We had to cross the main road to get to the lane.

"Dad your pulling me the wrong way!! its up the lane Can't you see the sign post!!"


Oh this doesn't look to good, lets go though the gate.


Looks like they are doing up the locks in the winter months!




We carry on along the canal



This is the first unfenced lock we come to, heck that looks a long way down!


Ducks!



This is the next lock we came to, you can see the semi circle of bricks, well when the water is level on both sides of the gate you can open it up by putting your butt against the wooden arm which is the white part, and push backwards and use the bricks for grip.

Mom and Dad know how to open and close locks they have been on canal boats, but this sign even had mom scratching her head!!! 


 
This bit is taking us under the main road, you can see the start of the staircase Locks,
 that's the lock gate at the end.


We get there only to fine these are also being done up!



This is the view that's in front of us, there's me and dad reading a sign.


Looking back, you can just see the fenced off locks on the left if the photo.
 This bit of the canal is like a car park for boats!
In busy times you would have to wait your turn to go down the locks so you can moor up here and wait.


Come on lets get going.


We've been walking for about 20 minute's, when we get to that bridge the book tells us to turn right.


A quick sniff and a turn right



 Right into a muddy field!



"what did you say dad? the tree in the middle!"
Ok that's where we have to go, to the tree in the middle and turn, right ,RIGHT


"Mom what you doing I don't like it when you get to far behind"


Fresh dug rabbit hole's. I didn't see any!


A quick right at the tree, and we end up on this funny road made up of strips of concrete in the middle of the fields, we can only think it makes it easy for the farm machinery to get to the crops for harvesting


Then we pass some very big holes, that big they might be badgers!!
 Mom was screaming to get my head out lol!! 


Another 10 minute's walk and we join a lane that takes us to the main road



Why did the chicken cross the road?


Because there was a Welsh Terrier behind it!!!



Just a couple of yards and we are back at the pub



Now you might be looking at this and thinking why didn't I go in the pub?
I was allowed in because the barmaid said to mom,
that I would be more than welcome. 
But mom thought my feet where just to muddy and I needed a rest!!!
 The Cheek of it!!

Just look who gets to go in with them!! and sits on the table!!!


FG!!! well I'm not having that next time, if the pub lets dogs in
I'm going in and thats another RIGHT!!! MOM!


So here ends the first walk in the book, hope you will join me when we do the next one.

See Yea George xxx 

44 comments:

Elaine Pritchard said...

What a lovely walk. I enjoyed doing that with you.

Bit of a shame that you got left in the car while they went in the pub. Not even crisps and lemonade to keep you occupied I see. Isn't that what's supposed to happen?

Love and licks Winnie

violett said...

A nice travelling tour! I am glad about the next!
However, a bar selects You in which you are allowed with in.
Lots of love
Mischka

J_on_tour said...

George, you look exhausted after that walk, i bet you thought it was never going to end. Mind you there was plenty of action along the way and considering the weather, Mom took some good photos today with a special mention to her for the 2 photos of you under the bridge, at the fenced off boat park and Dad reading the sign. Look forward to the next walk from the book. Hey, I've got the same book..... err, sorry I got that wrong, it says Northumbria on the front.

Anonymous said...

That was a fun walk! The sign had us confused too. Happy Sunday!

Elyse and Riley

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Whoa George... that last picture of you giving your mom the STINK EYE... well, I am certain you won't be left out next time!!!
You got to sniff in a for REAL Badger Hole??? Gooooooooddddd Grrrrrief. I... Frankie Furter... Dachshund/Badger Hound have NEVER gotten to do that wonderful thingy. Darn buddy.. you surely do know how to Tease a fella.
Beautiful.. Walkie... Maybe I should have said it was GEORGEous.
PeeS... if Flat George ever makes it to my house.. I pawmise not to let him sit on the table.

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

What a very nice walk. I bet your Mum really liked the nice muddy field lots.
~lickies, Ludo

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Fantastic tour of the first walk. Bummer about the pub though. Next time take a towel and wipe off the muddy paws! You could have rested in the pub. Thanks for showing us. We can't wait until the next walk.

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Anonymous said...

Wow Frankie you really get around!

I have a feeling that when you get to my house you are going to be a very very bored pup.

On the other hand maybe you will need a rest by then!

woo woos, Tessa

Taryn said...

More lovely scenery! Wonderful post!

Wyatt said...

That was a real good walk, George. Thanks for taking us along! Hey, my Mom and Dad went to the Full Sail Brew Pub in Hood River on Friday and they forgot to bring Flat George! He would have loved it there. So they are going to go back and bring him along!!

Wyatt

Pup Fan said...

Looks like a fun walk!

♥I am Holly♥ said...

George, that is a wonderful place to walk! Very interesting! We love the name of the pub and we think you should go in next time! Thanks for taking us with you...that was fun!! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Rose H (UK) said...

I'm exhausted just reading this! Looks like you had a grand walk with plenty to sniff. I'm hoping flat George gets left in the car next time and you get to warm your tootsies!
Lots of love
Auntie Rose xx

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

That was a very cool walk, George. Your locks make us think of our highways - always some sort of construction going on. With the yummy food we see on that table, you definitely need to go inside. We discovered during his visit that FG doesn't really like to eat.

Have a great week.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

The Daily Pip said...

I have never seen such beautiful open space like that field, George! Not sure I would even know what to do with it - though I bet I would like it cause it is nice and flat!

Your pal, Pip

houndstooth said...

I am thinking I need one of those books for around here! I can tell I'm going to be all sorts of envious over this. Especially since we got stuck inside again this weekend!

Bunny

WFT Nobby said...

Hi George
Gail says you transported her back to her childhood, going on muddy winter walks in the English countryside every Sunday with her Dad. She too would be left outside the pub!
What I want to know, did you ever feel tempted to jump into the canal after the ducks? (I ended up in a muddy ditch a while back, when I tried to chase a moorhen and misjudged the distance I could jump...
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Molly the Airedale said...

What gorgeous pictures, George! You have the very best adventures! Bummer that you didn't get to go inside the pub!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

It never fails. Whenever I come here, read, see the photos, I always leave HAPPY, LAUGHING, LEARNING more about England, and just being plain content.....oh dear Jan, you really have a gift for storytelling with this guy...he is the best. Balzac and I just LOVE YOUR STORIES!!!! CIAO my friends, Anita and Balzac

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

That just looks way too much fun....da b-u-t-ful walk, da b-u-t-ful scenery...I tink I will flatten myself and go to where you are!

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking us for a tour. It's so interesting and those lovely places are perfect for walkies!

Peggy Frezon said...

Lovely walk, although I fear I didn't get as much exercise as you did. Hmm. And I didn't end up at a pub either! The scenery is so beautiful, I love that bridge. See ya next time!

The Thuglets said...

Thats was a brillo paws first walk from the book George. Lots of interesting things.

Shame you didn't get to go in the pub. Next time!

Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx

My Mind's Eye said...

George what fabulous pictures. You have the most interesting sights around your home.

FINALLY the age old question has been answered about the chicken!!!! MOL
Madi

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Thanks George for taking us with you on your adventurer.. Loved the pictures!!
Thank-you so much for your visit to my blog. I love your company!! You are a very good looking dog George!!
xx, Bambi & Fern

3 doxies said...

What a cool book. Anything dat starts out at a pub is gonna be good.

Uh, I wants to see da badger hole fur reals!!!!!!!!!! It is my ancestry dangblabbit....I's nevers seen one in real life.

Puddles

Ryker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ryker said...

That was quite a walk. Those locks are neat. I would love to take a canal trip all throughout Europe some day. It was very pretty as you strolled along the canals and bridges. Everything looks so exotic to us here across the puddle. Anchorage is a very young town.
I had to laugh when you stuck you head in those varmint holes. Tell mom you just can't help yourself, it's in your genes!
Hope you mom or dad saved some of those shrimp for you since you couldn't come in with your muddy feet. Bring a towel next time George!

the booker man said...

george,

that was a super way cool walkie! i wish i could find a book like yours for where i live cuz that was really neato!
i'm sorry you didn't get to go in the pub. that's kinda lame-o cuz i'm thinkin' your pawrents feetsies had to have been just as muddy as yours were!!

*woof*
the booker man

pee s -- my mama yells at me 'n asa, too, when we stick our heads down animal holes. heeheehee!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

What fun!

AND what TASTY fun!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

How Sam Sees It said...

How fun! We'd like to go on that walk!

Sam

Asta said...

Geowge
That is a pwsome book..so much to see and sniff and mud too!
I look fowawd to seeing all of the walks..I love those locks..maybe you can come back when they'we done wif the wepaiws. But Geowge, I think it's tewwibully unfaiw that hoomans went into the pub wif theiw I assoome muddy shoes , but you couldn't
Hope you have a bettew plan next time
smoochie kisses
ASTA

sprinkles said...

What fun!

I can't believe your mom wouldn't let YOU into the pub but she brought along Flat George! OMD!

Anonymous said...

Pawsome walk George! Mom's always been fascinated with locks. Applawse to the engineers! That shot of the brick bridge over the water with pawfect reflection is fabulous! :) Great narration (photographic and commentary) made me feel like I was takin every step with ya!

Waggin at ya,
Roo

PeeS: Flat George is askin fur it I think ;)

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Wow Georgie! That was one of the funnest tours you've given so far. Soooo interesting.And we bet you especially liked those lock steps! Sorry Flat Geo. got to get into the pub & you didn't. At least you know the wanted you in.
Smooches,
BabyRD & Hootie

julee said...

George, wow that looked like a great walks. Good idea to get the book, you can be a 'tourist' in your own land. That's pretty neat.
Now, mum can't leave you in the car again.....FG can't get all the fun!

Jon Terry said...

George my pal, thanks for showing us such beautiful places. Oh dear! FG got in and not you!! You really have to talk to your mum and put your paws down & up to show your point ^^

Love ya,
Jon Terry

Road Dog Tales said...

That was a fun walk, George. Felt like we were right there with you! That lock system is very interesting, although a little complicated for us :) Here in Charleston, the boats just go anywhere they want unless they have really tall masts and have to wait for a drawbridge.

Sorry you didn't get to go in the pub this time. Did FG bring you back a snack?

The Road Dogs

Kathy said...

Hi George, thanks for stopping by on my blog .... now we've met you!!!
we like going for long walks too, especially if there is some water to swim in (for Inca not for Mum and Dad!) Looks like you had a very important job minding the car while they went into the pub ... bet you had a good old snooze too!
We'll be looking out for your next adventure Love Kathy and Inca the black lab xxx

Princess Patches said...

What a great walk, George! We hope you get to go inside the pub next time!

Aire-hugs,
Penny & Patches

Golden Samantha said...

Totally awesome hike - love the idea of taking walks starting at Pubs!!! This Lock walk is incredible - thanks soooooo much for taking us along, but so sorries that you didn't actually get to go in that cool place! Well.. at least FG got to go, but we were sad not to see "actually You" there! Mayhap next time?
Big Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie, Avalon and Ozzie

*❀* said...

fabulous walk George i really enoyed it and you always look so dapper. you want to be beware of badgers though.

see you soon buddy

hugs xxx

milly and Lily

Maggie Mae and Max said...

George,

You always has da best places to go fur walks!

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

TwoSpecialWires said...

Whoa! That was FUN! What a great book and a great walk. By through and over the locks. In over and around the holes. And with the badgers and chickens and YOU! We're likin' this! And we agree. You should go into the pub next time. That was some mighty good lookin' food. We had to biggify that picture. And then drool.

Onward!
Jake and Fergi