A fine day (day 10)

Despite a poor weather forecast our escaped lunatics are dodging the showers and making good progress. (and having a good laugh along the way)

Slipped our mooring at Denford about 05.30am just as one rain shower had ended. Next stop Park Lane Wharf near Endon to take on water. Whilst at the wharf we all took advantage of the excellent shower facility provided by British Waterways. Nothing wrong with the shower on the boat but the space is a tad limited and apart from that I can't put up with Dave and Trev singing when using it

Came across this interesting feature close to the short arm used by Stoke Boat Club at Endon. Although it seemed a bit odd a quick look at our Pearsons Guide told us it was in fact the site of a former swing bridge in use by a long gone light railway. Wonder what happens to boats that are tempted to go left?

Nice scenic setting at Stockton Brook

The guide book refers to this building as a pumping station. Wonder what for and is it still in use. Might well be something to research at a later date

Old style swing bridge with modified lifting mechanism. I remember the days, on the Llangollen canal, when these were fitted with no more than a chain and hanging on to it raised the bridge. I know these changed because of safety concerns and that seems fair enough

A look at the more modern electro-mechanical means of raising a bridge

As we reach the end of the Caldon Canal we take a last look at the impressive sculpture of James Brindley and perhaps pay a silent tribute to the great man. I think he would be proud of the way things have turned out for this wonderful canal

Surely without the vision of those before us that saw the benefits of the canal system as a leisure facility this is one canal that would have been lost. It's magnificent that so many have worked tirelessly to bring it from dereliction to a wonderful waterway.

Here's a link to 'The Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust' website

Respect (day 9)

Froghall

Froghall is a fantastic place. The basin here is so well designed and constructed. This lady has left a wonderful legacy to be enjoyed by everyone that visits. Respect is appropriate and deserved.

The plaque not only gives visitors a gentle reminder of what has been undertaken, it also acknowledges organisations involved

Olympic Challenge

You may recall our three idiots set themselves a light hearted (but serious) challenge as this is the year of the Olympics

Who won the gold medal?

The answer is all three

the reason being It's only fair and doesn't the Olympic spirit boast Fair Play?

As we had reached the end of the Caldon Canal it seemed only right and proper to present the medals to ourselves

unable to take three at once as didn't have a tripod

Time to head back to Cheddleton

The unusual Cherry Eye bridge No 53

I was taking a photo of the 'Black Lion' at Consall Forge when along came a train

Perhaps a reminder of the good old days

About to leave the River Churnet

We paid another visit to the excellent cafe at Cheddleton Station before setting off once again to moor for the night at Denford. A meal and some well deserved beer were had at the Hollybush Inn before we settled down for the night. Once again the Hollybush was busy, even so, the food and service were first class

Whilst en-route to Denford I spent a few minutes chatting to a lady that was enquiring as to our thoughts on the Caldon Canal. She had introduced herself as an enthusiastic member of the Caldon and Uttoxeter Canal trust and was interested in our trip and in particular the highlights. Didn't really have a lot of time as we were moving along and through the locks. However, I did mention that our groups mutual feeling was that this canal is one of the best for scenery and a whole lot more. Just sorry I didn't have more time to speak of all the good things we came across. It certainly needed more than a few minutes. I will have more to say on our collective thoughts on the Caldon Canal when I discuss the trip with Dave and Trev and will write some more on this subject after that time

Dave and Trev just found a little time for a spot of fishing

Nice couple (day 9)

Met a nice young couple later. We let them have a look around the boat. Think we might have convinced them to take a canal holiday. One thing about the Caldon canal route is everyone's very friendly. Take my word for it

The gauge at Oakmeadow Ford lock indicating it would be safe to join the River Churnet for the next section of our journey. Two days earlier and we would not have entered the river for the gauge was well into the red

Following the railway to our destination

Note the badly stowed bow rope

The impressive countryside has to be seen to be believed. The camera does not do justice to this area at all. This was early morning and very peaceful

Last lock of the Caldon and a pleasure to work it (and the sixteen before)

Froghall tunnel. We were unable to go through this as our boat sat just a little too high in the water. We had to be content with a walk to the other side. The view below is the basin on the other side of the tunnel. The whole area is so well laid out and maintained

Seen this Jim (day 8)

Cheddleton Station

Seen this Jim
Dave asked me to send this pic. He reckons you won't have this one. I've now discovered the number. It's 33021 and the nameplate is 'Captain Charles' I suspect you knew that Jim. Here's a link to more information on this loco

A few pics of Cheddleton Station on the Churnet Valley Railway. Just standing here looking at the entire scene. It's amazing. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing and I used to think it was an illness!

The living past. You have to admire the people that make these things happen

Spotless, immaculate and timeless

Here's a link to the Churnett Valley Railway website

After spending lunchtime here we wandered back to the aforementioned 'Black Lion' where the beer and company were first class. Having settled down to watch Crewe Alex our collective thinking was 'the worlds not a bad place after all' The Alex won of course and so it was a happy, although long, walk back to the boat and the evening ended off with food and a spot of fishing. All in all a good day

Hope to add a little video to this page when I'm eventually reunited with the camera leads which are currently a few hundred miles away

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

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.

more about James Brindley here

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

Signal strength

Poor reception in some areas is preventing posts. Please bear with me.

Stone (day 6)

Moored at Stone to get some much needed provisions. Nice place and it's got all that you would want. The centre is pedestrianised and easy on the eye. A trip to Morrisons for lunch was called for. We dealt with the former first and the latter after. Seemed the right order of matters

Our very good mooring at Stone

Looking back towards Stone although technically
we were still there, it's just we were moving away from the centre

Although quiet when I took this photo this was just a lull
for in no time at all there were lots of folk about

Stone is of course the former home of one of the finest breweries ever. Joules was a quality beer and a credit to the town. Never mind it was good while it lasted.I still wonder if we should have had a minutes silence as we gently slid past

Modern housing alongside the canal. Very tidy and clean. Looks a decent development

Trev looking pensive or perhaps satisfied, and no wonder, he'd just given me his thoughts on the state of the country. Serves me right for asking

On now to Barlaston where our mooring spot awaits

One suspects this row of cottages as we approached Barlaston, are much photographed, and why not.

They add to the picture postcard effect that we see in many canalside locations

The Plume of Feathers. Our callng point tonight