Norton Abbey. Runcorn

Now that I have finished my book, I decided to test out my 'Weaver's Bottom' with a gentle five mile  stroll 

around the walled garden of Norton Priory near Runcorn

- where fancy chickens in feather boots peck at apples.

It is a gentle Autumn

after a warm summer: golden leaves 

and chestnuts are poised to fall

and mushrooms are sprouting fungus bouquets.

Outside the priory we saw a strange green mound 

and then a series of stehles marking the route to 'Big Wood' 

that turned out to be merely a copse, with carved totem-trees.

It is a pretty, but not a tranquil spot.  

Turn away from the serenity of the Bridgewater canal

and the cooling towers of Fiddlers' Ferry are a reminder that this small part of Britain is still industrial.