Cows in the canal.

We decided to drive to Henley in Arden this morning to have a bit of lunch before a circular walk which began on part of the Heart of England Way. 
The first stage led past the 12th Century Beaudesert Church followed by  a steep uphill climb which wasn't long but a bit taxing, to the site of complex earthworks which is all that remains of the castle of the de Montforts. Simon de Montfort (1205 - 1265) was the sixth Earl of Leicester..  
There is a superb panoramic view from that vantage point. It is no wonder he built his fortifications there. 
   It was warm in the sunshine and looking out over the lush English countryside rolling on into the distance is a great sight.
    We wended our way across field paths, walked through fields of golden barley, along the narrow strips which can only be negotiated single file. I like to trail my hands through the waving fronds on either side as we pass by. 
I don't know quite how the farmers manage to leave a field path strip when they sow their crops. But I am so glad that they do. 
      Eventually the latter stages of the walk were along the Stratford upon Avon Canal.
   It was really peaceful along the tow path and we didn't meet a soul.
A couple of canal boats passed by on their languid way. Nothing hurried about them. 
We came across this sizeable group of cows on the other side some of them standing half in, half out of the water and eating leaves off the trees. 
It was such a bucolic sight, 
I took their photo.