Staffordshire Way - Day 2 - Canal Towpaths and Rain

[@danslee1972]

Staffordshire Knot fact. The knot you spotted on the Staffordshire Way markers and the village noticeboard is the Staffordshire Knot. It first appeared in heraldry in the 16th century but the version I like is that it was a knot invented by a hangman to hang three villains with the one piece of rope he brought. Roadsigns welcoming you to Staffordshire call it the 'creative county'. I can maybe see why. Great video.

[@danslee1972]

Oh, and wondering if that fire damaged pub was the Black Lion in Consall Forge. In the 1980s my Dad worked in the countryside department at Staffs County Council and footpaths - including this one - was part of his gig. One day we walked part of the footpath ending up at the Black Lion. The landlady of the time had fallen out with the villagers and when we went in we were the only ones there. The place looked as though a bar fight had not long taken place. The furniture was damaged, the ashtrays were cracked and the tables wobbly. A huge Alsatian leapt from behind the bar and put it front feet onto the bar and started barking. "DOWN, SATAN!" shouted the landlady. It remains my benchmark for pub warm welcomes...

[@davidrose1847]

Jan 1 till early March I've walked the equivalent to Staffordshire way and back, I couldn't actually walk the Staffordshire Way though!