WHAT!? WALES AGAIN?

Yes, we're heading back to Wales again, but first we must meander through parts of rural Cheshire.  You can find the route here. Our first stop is the unspoilt Travellers Rest at Alpraham.

To the west is Bunbury, where we come across the Shropshire Union Canal.

Beeston Castle station was on the Crewe to Chester line. Here it is in 1961 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

Towards the southeast now, to the Bhurtpore Inn (now renamed the Bhurty) at Aston, where there's plenty of cask beer.

Beside Wrenbury station was once Paradise Brewery, long since closed, but seen here in 2003.

Wrenbury village has a wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal.

West to Malpas, where this old Austin FE was attending a steam rally in 2004.

North to Broxton station, seen in 1962 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

Further north, the village of Tattenhall, circa 1905.

Onwards to Farndon, where the Farndon Arms, seen here in 2003, has now become The Raven, its original name.

Farndon's Greyhound pub has also changed its name. It's now called the Hare.

The Barnston Monument at Farndon (Steve Knight - Creative Commons License).

As promised, we cross back into Wales, using Farndon Bridge (Creative Commons License).

Over the River Dee is the village of Holt, with its castle.

It's not a great distance to the town of Wrexham and in a northern suburb called Acton, we find this ancient Bedford of M.A. Evans waiting to take us into town.

However, I've rather a lot of Wrexham to show you, so you'll have to await the next post. See you soon.

KNOCKIN ON THE DOOR OF STAFFORDSHIRE, THEN A DIVERSION TO CHESHIRE

We start off in Shropshire, having just left Oswestry. First stop is a place called Knockin Heath, where Vagg's Coaches had their depot. Some old vehicles were rotting away in the yard.

However, there were several modern vehicles of interest.

Moving on to the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway, where Gazelle is see at Kinnerley Junction in 1926. A HC Casserley photo. (The map here will explain where we are).

Moving on to a better known railway and this is Baschurch station on the ex GWR Shrewsbury to Chester line. Here's the station in 1962 (Ben Brooksbank - Creative Commons License).

The signal box here was still in use in 2006.

On a different line was Yorton station. Here could be found the Railway Inn, now sadly shut.

To the north is the small town of Wem. The ex LNWR signal box here in 1986.

Wem Brewery made some fine ales, but Greenall Whitley shut it down. This photo from 1979.

When I visited the Red Lion at Cheswardine in 2010, it was home to the Lion's Tale Brewery.

As promised, we enter Staffordshire for a brief visit. Beside the Shropshire Union Canal is the lovely Anchor Inn at High Offley.

Not far away, the Cock Inn at Woodseaves.

One can reach the large village of Eccleshall by regular Arriva bus.

Eccleshall was home to the, now closed, Slater's Brewery.

The best place to try Slater's beer was the George Hotel in the village. It's now called the Little George.

A quick look at the West Coast Main Line at Madeley Junction (Staffordshire), where E3112 is seen in 1971.

To the NW, in Cheshire, is Nantwich, which has a station on the Shrewsbury to Crewe railway line (Creative Commons License).

A former LMS signal box here in 2001.

Shrewbridge Road railway crossing in Nantwich.

Churche's Mansion, one of the few buildings in Nantwich to survive the fire of 1583 (Creative Commons License).

The Parish Church of St. Mary (Creative Commons License).

Midland Red North ran bus services into Nantwich. These are now operated by Arriva.

Independent buses have included Devaway and D&G Group.

Beer time! The Wilbraham Arms is a former John Smiths pub..

No Robinsons to be had at the Rifleman - it's closed.

The Globe in Nantwich, off the town centre, once had its own brewery (Woodlands Brewing). The pub now has a good selection of beers from other sources.

Back in the heart of the town, we find a great boozer, the Black Lion.

The Crown Hotel has some decent beer too.

We finish this post at the Vine Inn, now a Hyde's tied house.

Next time, a tour of rural Cheshire.