Friday, 11 May 2012

Caldon Canal (day 7)

Denford
Left the mooring at Barlaston and headed for Etruria where we intended to join the Caldon Canal. The clouds looked ominous and sure enough the rain started. Time for the waterproofs. The stately Wedgewood factory stood to our right and reminded us, for a while, of this country's impressive heritage

We soon approached the suburb of Trentham and took out a little time for breakfast

The Industrial Museum at Etruria told us we were close to our goal and sure enough as we left the top lock entering the summit level of the T&M we met its junction with the Caldon Canal


I wonder if James Brindley was impressed with my turn into the Caldon, for his noble statue stands at the junction.


Meeting the staircase locks just a few hundred yards from the junction reminded us there are seventeen locks altogether on the seventeen mile course of this canal. Hope it's worth it


An old but interesting looking building alongside the canal. Wonder what it was for

Looking back from whence we came, another mix of old and new

Enough of the town - let's get into the countryside

The junction of the Leek and Froghall branches. We elected to head toward Froghall and would visit Leek on our return if time permitted


Terrific looking countryside. In fairness after Milton we found the views of rolling countryside very agreeable and even the locks didn't deter us from enjoying the setting 


Dave suggesting that the tiny hamlet of Denford was not too far away and he was right. I think we were pleased to be heading for our night time mooring and food

The Hollybush Inn at Denford.

We moored just around the corner and elected to go and try a pint or two. it was very busy then again perhaps that's to be expected on a Friday evening. We certainly enjoyed the beer and sad to say I didn't write it down, the brew that is. Pity because I do like to keep notes of such things. A look at the menu convinced us the food would be good value. There was certainly plenty of choice. Sure enough the food was excellent for value and taste. It was easy to see why this pub is so popular among canal travellers. A case of the canal grapevine working in our favour












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