Stoke-on-Trent

We had arrived at our mooring by late morning, so took ourselves off down the towpath to check out the Festival and its ice cream van.

What a terrific range of stalls! Had a chat with our IWA counterparts inthis region and bought a book from them. We had a pint and lunch from a Thai stall, which we ate while gongoozling at the staircase lock just around the corner. Sadly the queue for the ice cream van was rather too long, and the canal museum rammed, so we passed on those. Fun seeing a blacksmith at work though. There was an open air music arena, and a parade of littl'uns waving their fish themed creations , topped and tailed by puppeteers with a huge mermaid at the front and dragonfly at the rear. Hands full of beer, no photos, sorry!

A quiet evening back on board.

Early start for Andrew, dashing home for the post and a few jobs, and then up to Blackpool, overnighting there before visiting his Mum. Meanwhile I had the exciting task of.. 

The launderette. 2 miles away, up the hill to Hanley and back down the other side, in the rain.  However. All hail the lovely new Aldi trolley which performed beautifully. And lots of steps, and chocolate as a reward.  Shopping less onerous as a Morrisons nearby. 

Andrew got back in good time so we met at the excellent real ale pub and tap house, The Holy Inadequate. Trying to find out the reason its name, I discover that pre-Beeching it was the Railway Hotel, then Shelton Bar, then The New Rendezvous. So, best guess inspired by Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. 

Must go back and ask!

Wednesday morning and time to move on.  We retraced our course back to Etruria, and, the main Trent and Mersey blocked for repairs, onto the Caldon Canal.  Paused at the services block for water, then on to the staircase locks we had been studying on Sunday. Ahead of us was a couple that had never tackled a staircase before so I worked them up before switching focus to us.

A staircase, by the way, is the name for two or more locks joined by a common set of gates. To rise, the bottom lock must be empty but the top one full, so it can be emptied into the bottom one. When a level between the two is made, the gates can be opened, boat inserted, gates closed and top lock refilled to reach the upper level.

I was joined by a local couple fresh from the Crick Boat Show, an annual jamboree of all things Inland waterway, and inspired to plan a life afloat. So excited when I handed over the windlass! I was quite chuffed too..

Caldon Canal has a bad rep in town, which is a shame. Who wouldn't want to Moor overnight here? Sadly, at night it's handy mainly for drug dealers and turf wars, we are given to understand. 

But soon we were out in real greenery.. byebye Stoke