Cheddleton (day 8)

Paid a visit to the Cheddleton Railway station tea room for cheese and onion pie. Later got talking to a lady from Australia who originated from the Stoke on Trent area and also used to go to the 'Crystal' at Newcastle under Lyme. I also got talking to her friend who also used to frequent the 'Crystal' Her friend told me that her great grandfather used to be a tunnel keeper at Harecastle. Small world methinks. It was nice to have a chat about bygone times at the 'Crystal'  Note: The Crystal is a former dance hall that in its day was the best venue in the midlands  the Crystal has a Facebook page - take a look you might meet an old friend - just click this link

Just set off on the short leg to Cheddleton where our mission for the day is to find a pub with Sky Sports so we can watch the Div 2 play off first leg between Crewe and Southend

This is the former Flint Mill at Cheddleton and is where we should have moored for the shops, However we continued through the two locks and moored by bridge No (to be added later) in the shadow of a decent looking pub. Unfortunately the pub is closed at the present time, though it's understood it will be opening any day, so as you read this it's probably open

Walked along the path below to get to the main road in the village and asked where the shops were. We were told just go up the hill and there's a One Stop store there. So away we went

We climbed to about 10,000 feet and were beginning to need oxygen when we found the shop. Well stocked and friendly staff. The girl there told us we would probably see the football match at the 'Black Lion' just up the lane by the Flint Mill (not to be confused with the 'Black Lion' at Consall Forge.) A nearby chip shop looked appetising, sadly for us it was closed and there was no indication of what time it would open. Lacking food but with a desire to see the football later we found the pub and sure enough the football would be on later. It's lunchtime at present

 This is the view from bridge No (to be added later) and along the towpath we walked to the next bridge and the boat. Placed our provisions on board and then off to the nearly Cheddleton station for a look at the trains and perhaps get some food

Station is amazing. A real step back in time. The cafe is superb and they not only had plenty of cakes on offer, they also had hot pies. We were well pleased to sit in comfort and enjoy some hot food.

See the next post for more photo's of the station