The sticky buds of the horse chestnut are unmistakable.
The large buds on the end of the branch are flowers. The compact bud further back, by the scar of attachment of last year’s leaf, will develop into a leaf.
Delicate blue lungwort flowers. The name lungwort comes from the markings on the leaves, which were thought to symbolise infected lungs. The plants were used as a herbal “cure” for respiratory problems.
This is the junction of the Staffs & Worcs canal with the Trent and Mersey Canal. A little further north and east the river Sow joins the river Trent. A little further yet, the Trent and Mersey canal also joins the river Trent.