Sunny and bright start to the day after a little overnight rain. Close enough to water tap to water up without moving the boat. Moved off about 11:00am and descended the three locks at Hazlehurst junction heading for Froghall ( and Uttoxeter according to sign post at the junction). On through Cheddleton and down another three locks getting close now to the River Churnet we moored up just below Wood's lock for lunch.
Will stay here today as we can walk up the hill to shop for milk in the morning and want to moor on the river tomorrow so we can see the steam trains on the CVR over the weekend.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Park Lane Endon
We stayed at Engine Lock for a second night having woken to pouring rain with very low cloud. It did brighten in the afternoon and we managed a circuit with the dogs and did some blackberry picking along the old railway line between Stockton Brook and Milton the track of which is yet to be cleared.
Today started sunny and bright although it did get rather blustery by mid morning. Set off through Engine Lock about 10am and made steady progress through lift bridges and the flight of locks at Stockton Brook. Not many boats on the move again. Moored at Post bridge Endon for lunch and for a minor shop at the local Spa. Intrigued by planning application posted by level crossing for railway track through Endon to become common land. Ms Birk must be unaware of plans by Network Rail, MCR and CVR? Given that the track bed has been cleared of all undergrowth from Leek Jctn to the crossing at Endon as declared last May I would have thought it a bit late.
We moved on just as far as the 24hour moorings by the services at Park Lane Endon. All the better for a visit to the Toby carvery for an evening meal.
Today started sunny and bright although it did get rather blustery by mid morning. Set off through Engine Lock about 10am and made steady progress through lift bridges and the flight of locks at Stockton Brook. Not many boats on the move again. Moored at Post bridge Endon for lunch and for a minor shop at the local Spa. Intrigued by planning application posted by level crossing for railway track through Endon to become common land. Ms Birk must be unaware of plans by Network Rail, MCR and CVR? Given that the track bed has been cleared of all undergrowth from Leek Jctn to the crossing at Endon as declared last May I would have thought it a bit late.
We moved on just as far as the 24hour moorings by the services at Park Lane Endon. All the better for a visit to the Toby carvery for an evening meal.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Engine Lock Milton on the Caldon Canal
Yesterday we stayed put in Barleston. It was a mainly sunny and dry day but we decided to visit the Wedgwood Outlet and have a generally leisurely day off from cruising. Spoilt ourselves and purchased a Stuart Crystal decanter and some matching wine glasses and goblets (all at discounted prices of course). The bottle of wine we opened last night tasted much better out of a decanter!
Today we made an early start in bright sunshine. Too much TV last night watching the new Downton Abbey series had drained our batteries and the flashing fridge light showed we needed to recharge quickly! We made steady progress up Trentham Lock following and assisting a single hander. Then along the four mile pound through Hem Heath and passed the Britannia stadium into Stoke where we climbed the five deep locks up to Etruria Junction. Here we executed a right hand hairpin turn onto the Caldon Canal and stopped at the services by the BW yard. Moved onto moorings outside the Industrial Museum for lunch before tackling the staircase and on through Hanley Park. At Planet Lock Bridie went to the local shop (an Asian Halal supermarket) for milk and sundries.
As the afternoon wore on it got depressingly grey although we were still dry and there was no wind. Onwards through new housing developments where the old pottery factories once had canal wharves to Ivy House Lift Bridge. No problem here today, we have only passed one boat moving and two moored up. Once we were thirteenth in the queue for this bridge when it failed and required attention from BW. Moored just below Engine lock about 5:30 after 9 locks and ten miles ready for dinner.
Today we made an early start in bright sunshine. Too much TV last night watching the new Downton Abbey series had drained our batteries and the flashing fridge light showed we needed to recharge quickly! We made steady progress up Trentham Lock following and assisting a single hander. Then along the four mile pound through Hem Heath and passed the Britannia stadium into Stoke where we climbed the five deep locks up to Etruria Junction. Here we executed a right hand hairpin turn onto the Caldon Canal and stopped at the services by the BW yard. Moved onto moorings outside the Industrial Museum for lunch before tackling the staircase and on through Hanley Park. At Planet Lock Bridie went to the local shop (an Asian Halal supermarket) for milk and sundries.
As the afternoon wore on it got depressingly grey although we were still dry and there was no wind. Onwards through new housing developments where the old pottery factories once had canal wharves to Ivy House Lift Bridge. No problem here today, we have only passed one boat moving and two moored up. Once we were thirteenth in the queue for this bridge when it failed and required attention from BW. Moored just below Engine lock about 5:30 after 9 locks and ten miles ready for dinner.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Barleston
We cruised fo just four miles and eight locks today and despite a poor weather forecast we managed to beat the heavy rain to Barleston. Up the eight locks through Stone, topping up fuel at Stone Boat Building and using the services just beyond. It had a few attempts at rain, we even got coats and umbrella out but it didn't last. However the sky was getting a bit dramatic by the time we moored at Barleston at 2pm, although while we had lunch the sun was still shining. As the afternoon wore on the showers got heavier and we had some rolls of thunder so stayed put and had a siesta!
We are moored near bridge 104, as we have before, within easy walking distance of the Wedgwood museum. Intend to visit tomorrow and see if new outlet centre is open. We visited the museum last spring and work was just starting.
For some time we thought Bridies great great grandfather Thomas Allen was the director of the Fine Art Studios at Wedgewood (effectively art director) at Etruria but this turned out not to be the case although her great grandfather Robert Allen held a similar position at Royal Doulton in Burslem.
We are moored near bridge 104, as we have before, within easy walking distance of the Wedgwood museum. Intend to visit tomorrow and see if new outlet centre is open. We visited the museum last spring and work was just starting.
For some time we thought Bridies great great grandfather Thomas Allen was the director of the Fine Art Studios at Wedgewood (effectively art director) at Etruria but this turned out not to be the case although her great grandfather Robert Allen held a similar position at Royal Doulton in Burslem.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Stone on the Trent & Mersey
Thursday dawned with Tixall Wide looking like a mill pond, not a ripple to be seen. Made a leisurely start after walking dogs back to Tixall lock. Allthough the sun did not manage to stay with us all day, it remained calm and reasonably warm and we had a very pleasant cruise through Great Haywood Junction left onto the Trent & Mersey canal and, after a brief pause for the services and visits to canalside farm shop and chandlery we were soon heading north up the Trent Valley. After we had passed through Hoo Mill and Weston Locks we stopped in Weston on Trent for lunch and Bridie and I went for a walk to see what it was like never having stopped here before. I think it safe (and sad) to say we probably won't bother next time! The village is nice enough, though rather infilled with modern housing that spoils the charm, what really spoiled it for us was having to cross two busy roads in our circumnavigation due to lack of pavements, traffic noise, heavy lorries passing within inches of us on the pavement and to cap it all, two extremely noisy police bikes hurtling towards Stafford. We regained the peace and serenity of the canal and headed north!
On passed Salt and through Sandon lock (another lock keepers cottage being extended here). Moored for the night by bridge 88 between Burston and Aston. An old chap in his canoe that we had passed by earlier now passed us again this time under sail. It looked a really great way to travel, just laid back and slowly skimming the water, although he shortly had to resort to using his paddle as he had trees on both sides sheltering him from the wind.
Today we had a very short cruise passed the new Aston Marina, through Aston lock and into Stone. Walked up to Stone boat building chandlery and were at last succesful in getting the prestud repair kit I have been after since visiting Nantwich. We went into Stone for lunch and a bit of shopping. There are lots of charity shops and we actually made use of them, buying a couple of sherry glasses for the boat, and a couple of books and a waistcoat for me. Have been walking by the River Trent with the dogs this afternoon and visited The Star, initially just for a drink, but the food was too good to miss out, so we treated ourselves and then went a walk up by St Michaels to try and walk it off!
On passed Salt and through Sandon lock (another lock keepers cottage being extended here). Moored for the night by bridge 88 between Burston and Aston. An old chap in his canoe that we had passed by earlier now passed us again this time under sail. It looked a really great way to travel, just laid back and slowly skimming the water, although he shortly had to resort to using his paddle as he had trees on both sides sheltering him from the wind.
Today we had a very short cruise passed the new Aston Marina, through Aston lock and into Stone. Walked up to Stone boat building chandlery and were at last succesful in getting the prestud repair kit I have been after since visiting Nantwich. We went into Stone for lunch and a bit of shopping. There are lots of charity shops and we actually made use of them, buying a couple of sherry glasses for the boat, and a couple of books and a waistcoat for me. Have been walking by the River Trent with the dogs this afternoon and visited The Star, initially just for a drink, but the food was too good to miss out, so we treated ourselves and then went a walk up by St Michaels to try and walk it off!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tixall Wide
Yesterday we made a reasonably early start stopping to use the services across from where we were moored and then down the first lock before 9:30. |Made steady progress alongside and under the M6 through Broom and Parkgate locks at Teddersley. On to Shut Hill lock and through Acton Trussell still within sight (and hearing) of the M6. Not a spot we would want to moor or buy a house! Quite breezy at Deptmore lock and had difficulty getting PO alongside the towpath. The lock cottage is being renovated and is no longer looking derelict. As we approached Baswich the wind was getting stronger and we encountered a shower that persisted as we followed the railway line towards Milford. Soon through Tixall lock and moored in Tixall Wide, 7 miles and six locks from where we set off. Rocked about a bit during the afternoon as the wind got stronger but it calmed and we had a good nights sleep.
Today we have walked through Great Haywood and the Shugborough estate. Kept hearing a steam whistle and thought there might be traction engine about but saw nothing. Had refreshments at the Clifford (too late for lunch). Found the two shops wanting and bought nothing but then visited the canalside Farm shop and could have spent a fortune. Then as we returned to PO we encountered the steam narrow boat President with butty Kildare in tow.
Whistle now explained! Crew all resplendent in white shirts, red neckerchiefs and grey caps - very smart. The boat Grace May moored just ahead has two scottie silouettes on the side of the boat and they have three scotties. (two older males and a young bitch which Bridie was very taken with)! Sally and Mac were very impressed although they were bigger dogs (and much smarter).
Today we have walked through Great Haywood and the Shugborough estate. Kept hearing a steam whistle and thought there might be traction engine about but saw nothing. Had refreshments at the Clifford (too late for lunch). Found the two shops wanting and bought nothing but then visited the canalside Farm shop and could have spent a fortune. Then as we returned to PO we encountered the steam narrow boat President with butty Kildare in tow.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Penkridge
Moored up between the locks in Penkridge after a blustery 7 miles and six locks yesterday afternoon. Arranged to meet up with my sister for the afternoon and early evening. Today we have walked dogs down the canal past next two locks to Midland chandlers at Teddersley and been shopping in Penkridge. The sun is shining and the sky is blue BUT it is blowing a gale and we are staying put.
Son has sent us a picture of front garden at home with tree uprooted across the lawn. It missed the cars thank goodness!
Son has sent us a picture of front garden at home with tree uprooted across the lawn. It missed the cars thank goodness!
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