Saturday 5^th October 2019

Lee and Roberta on Hassall called just after 9am. We had a good chat and took 3 bags of coal and topped the diesel up. The coal bags are having to be stored in the front cratch. We are not too happy about this, but we have little option while keeping things off the roof and allowing the paint to cure. While we could probably now store things on the roof, we are determined to allow the paint to cure properly and will probably not store anything on the roof throughout the winter.

Our fuel tank capacity is 170 litres although we only took 40 litres from Hassall. During the winter especially, it is always advisable to keep the tank full, to prevent the growth of diesel bug, and so top up at every available opportunity.

Hassall provides an insight into the past days of commercial carrying, but she does maintain a tough schedule, that would entail long days in all weathers to deliver to her customers. 

There was a Food and Drink Fair in Stone over the weekend. We thought about stopping, but you had to pay to enter and it was being held in a field close to the boat that was very muddy. So we moved on.

We passed through the four Stone Locks, stopping at the service point before the third lock. The road bridge preceding this lock is unusual in having two bridge holes, one for the canal to pass through, the other for the horses. It is an atmospheric experience walking through this low and narrow bridge hole, if you allow your imagination wander.

Road Bridge at Stone Locks

One mile after the Stone Locks are the attractive four locks of the Meaford Flight before countryside is again reached. At Meaford Top Lock is a very awkward country road junction with a sharp bend. Last time we passed through here, the retaining wall had been demolished by a vehicle and the bricks and coping stones were laying on the tow path. Since then, the wall had obviously been repaired but, yet again, had been partially demolished.

The day was notable for the number of Kingfishers we had seen. These birds are normally just a quick flash of colour but occasionally, one will sit on a branch as you cruise pass.

We passed through Barlaston and the Wedgewood Factory before coming to Trentham Lock, one of the deepest on the system with a rise of 11’ 11”. We moored just after the lock and before Trentham itself, in countryside. A lovely mooring.

Trentham Deep Lock

We had both really enjoyed our day, passing through two lock flights, from town to country and the weather was kind to us, with none of the forecast rain. We sat amongst the coal bags in the front cratch with a bottle of Prosecco followed by a steak dinner. Two lovely rib-eyes from the butcher in Stone for £10.    

Harvey always provides us with amusement. Whenever the engine is started he insists in sitting out at the back end. Consequently, he gets tired and retires to bed early. Tonight, he was all spread out in his bed with his legs hanging out.

Weather: a pleasant, autumnal, day.

Day Total: 9 locks; 5 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; Day’s running hours 5.0

Overall Total: 742 locks; 1314 miles; 50 tunnels; 61 Swing Bridges; 11 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; total engine running hours 822.1hrs