Stahix two

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Generally a good route, but the route and plotting in Stafford could be improved and this is not a route to take in flood conditions. Lots of easy to navigate canal towpath walking but steps over the railway and one stile. Could be cattle along the Sow. Farm shop and cafe at Great Haywood.

I walked from Stafford and found, as is often the case, directions in towns need precision. With options of paths either side of the Sow and the plot along the river I took the wrong one. The crossing point back to the correct side is again poorly plotted. Finally on the north bank all became clear. The path surface is good but very close to the water level and just a week after severe floods there was evidence that this route would have been impossible.

At a road called Fairway the cycle track turns right and our path changes sides. For some reason I failed to spot the sign and steps that are obvious now I look at Street View. However it was a good thing that I took a track and climbed a locked gate to regain the flooded footpath, should I keep going? I don’t like giving up and I got through and even kept feet dry, I offer pictures of flooded times when this route is not suitable. The cycle track looks a possible alternative joining the relatively dry canal towpath at a different point.

Once on the towpath, although muddy it was much easier going and at a turnover bridge where the towpath changes sides a new excellent surface has been laid. This made walking easy allowing better opportunity to take in the views. I didn’t investigate off route services at Milford but even Open Street Map appears unsure about access.

With an aqueduct over the Sow, Tixall Lock another aqueduct over the Trent then Great Hayward junction there is plenty of interest plus the farm shop and cafe, six miles completed so not half way on our walk but better than nothing.

Heading north now on the Trent and Mersey canal the towpath is back to unsurfaced passing a huge marina and to confirm the time of year a field of pick your own pumpkins. More moored boats, mostly off side all the way. We pass Hoo Mill Lock before leaving the canal at Pasturefields, the sign tells us its an inland salt marsh. The sign also tells us “The towing path has been restored to a high standard”. That was in 1996, how quickly it reverts to mud.

A track leads to the busy but not impossible to cross road then a severed road allows a peaceful walk to a footbridge over the railway which provides a good view of either countryside to the north or industrial buildings south. I wonder why the small settlement of Hixon has so many commercial buildings? From the bridge the road was quiet on a Saturday but working days are likely to be busy. The steady climb into the village has a pavement and without looking at the plot I anticipated the church would be the meeting place.

No I had to continue to ‘The Bank House’ inn adjacent to the Village Hall and a bus stop. If shops are required avoid the village footpaths stay on the road to pass the chip shop, post office and convenience store all missed on the plotted route.

Easy to follow and safe. The unsurfaced towpaths that I followed for most of this walk varied between crispy and boggy due to the zero degree weather. Could it be more direct? Has stiles and steps. There was also a well marked temporary diversion of the link between the canal and the riverside. Overall an enjoyable walk. The route crosses the Sow unnecessarily at the Stafford end but that's minor. The route also goes around the Victoria Park where I would have expected to go across. The park was actually just closing so it proved to be the right route! Stops and shops in Stafford and Milford if you leave the route. Large canalside cafe at Great Haywood is on the route.

Mostly flat walk using riverside and canalside paths, many sections will be underfoot after rain, optionlly at the start you can walk thriough Victoria park (entrance opposite the station) rather than following the road. Good options for cafes / pubs just off the route at Little Haywood and Great Haywood and also at both start and finish.

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