Steaming alongside the Llangollen Canal

It looks like summer. It feels like summer. Hey - it even smells like summer! It's official: Summer has arrived to north Shropshire. I have declared it so. Today I have not worn my fleece; I think this is the first time since possibly one day last year.

We went to St. Alkmund's Church in Whitchurch this morning - a traditional sung communion with a (small) robed choir. As we have now discovered Tesco we bought our (my) favourite pizza, Dr. Oetker's (promo price of £1.50), had lunch and set off towards Wrenbury.

On the way, beyond Grindley Brook where the A49 comes alongside the canal, we were treated to the sight of a steam traction engine pulling two trailers.

We exchanged greetings, first with a wave ...

... then with a steam whistle and a klaxon.

We tied up for the night just below Marbury Lock. We walked across the fields to the quiet village, had a drink in the even quieter pub and returned along the road.

Edit to add: What is the column visible hereabouts? Thanks to Wikipedia I can tell you. It's the Combermere Obelisk, erected in 1890 to commemorate Field Marshal Stapleton Cotton, the first Viscount Combermere.