Leek Tunnel

Had a brilliant day today weather wise and a very enjoyable cruise of about nine miles and eight locks up to Hazlehurst Junction and turn left for Leek branch.  Met up with BW men at Consall Mill Lock trying to fettle gates that were leeking badly. borrowed our pole as they didn't have one long enough.  Helicopter landed just ahead of us between Oakmeadow lock and Wood's lock in field by some moored boats.  Past milestone with boat engine at Wood's lock of 3000 engine hours.
Very quiet mooring again, we were here last Easter.  I walked down the fields and over the footbridge across the River Churnett towards the old asylum to see the railway tracks have been cleared since we were here last.

Froghall

Moved down to Froghall about 3 miles and just one lock at Consall Mill.  It wasa rather grey start to the day and absolutely poured down at lunch time while we were visiting Froghall station to see the Classic Car Show - about 37 entrants from standarad triumph car club. pictures to follow.   We had a bite to eat in the station and watched 5199 in charge again.  bridie very intriged by the collection of Morris (?) men and women - Black Dog Molly (?)

Consall Forge

Moved down 2 miles and 1 lock to moor on the 48hr moorings on River Churnett at consall Forge just before the Black Lion. Stayed here two nights enjoying the walks and isolated atmosphere.  Visited the Black lion both days and had very pleasant meal on saturday night after I had been on the CVR enjoying the steam trips with GWR 5199 at the front.  Plenty of pictures to follow.

Wood's Lock Cheddleton

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.

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.

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.

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.