Although we were not promised much sun for today, we did have the hope that it would stay dry - which it did apart from a slight dampness early evening.
So, we set off in good time - the grey sky meant that it was not as chilly as yesterday.
Shortly we passed under a former railway bridge that used to carry the Biddulph Valley Line, from Stoke to Congleton, via Biddulph. Together with the Leek Branch, that linked in at Milton, these lines will follow us for most of the day. The Leek Branch originally connected through to Caldon Low (other spellings are available) to bring high quality stone down to the Potteries. Whilst the line closed in the 1960's and 70's, part of it is a protected strategic route. A railway company is still seeking per emissions to re-open the link with the quarry, in collaboration with the Churnet Valley Line that now operate over some of the track.
This, sadly, is all that remains of the boat that caught fire last night. Let's hope that the owner is OK and is able to sort things out.
The prominent Foxley Pub is named after the short Foxley Branch that ran from here about half a mile to some iron works. Apart from the pub, only a very sharp bend is all that acts as a reminder.
There were some excellent mooring rings just before the bridge and road into Milton Village where there is a range of small shops and a Co-Op. Whilst Christine went shopping - only a few items were really needed today as well as the usual paper - Mike started on some more maintenance. When we were on the Calder and Hebble, with its locks that are rather shorter than is comfortable for a 60ft boat, we caught the bow on some iron work supporting a walkway over the lock gates. It is testimony to the power of water that this gouged quite a deep groove into the side of the front bow. We had managed to track down some metal filler whilst we were back home and so it was now time (with a promised dry day) to give it a go. After well sanding the area and cleaning the surface inside the groove as much as possible, the two part filler was mixed up and applied. A bit to Mike's surprise, it set very quickly (as promised on the tin!) and would be ready for sanding down and priming later on.
Shortly after stating off once more we came to Engine Lock - named after a large beam engine once installed close by.
There followed two lift bridges - the first is mechanised and very simple to operate.
The second is manual but Mike found that it was actually easier to turn the gearing than that on the last lock! A message had been written on one of the bridge supports - we were amused by the spelling - magma fishing - and assumed that it should have been magnet fishing. Checking later on the internet, we were left a little less clear as the term magma fishing did produce some results but seems to be a brand of rather expensive American fishing gear. Perhaps not?
Next came the flight of five Stockton Brook Locks. There were generally easy to operate - although one has rather old steel gates. They may have lasted well but are very stiff to operate. The wood ones are much friendlier! One set was installed only last year.
Alongside the top lock were some stables for use in the days when boats were moved that way. some companies ran better services by having stables at strategic intervals and horses could be swapped to give them time to recover their energy, unlike the chocolate box image of one horse and its boater owner that was sometimes more common. This building has now been converted into a residence, appropriately called Saddlers Cottage.
Just above the lock we moored up for lunch - and for Mike to sand down the bow and apply the first coat of primer.
On the approach to the Stoke on Trent Boat Club moorings, there is this well signed 'obstruction ' part of a former swing bridge. It is actually easier to negotiate than this foreshortened image suggests.
After setting off we made the briefest of disposal stops at Endon services.
At Hazlehurst Junction we opted for the Froghall Branch - the other goes off to Leek. We do not have time to explore all of wither of them but we had been investigating possible churches for tomorrow morning and the easiest to get to is at Cheddleton. So, we descended the three locks. We were surprised to find that the top gates were open. Part way down we encountered a rather miffed man who had been setting the locks for his friend who was coming along behind but was much further away than he had expected. We had not seen them even though we had made the stop at Endon. In fact they only arrived when we were almost out of the bottom lock.
Below the locks we then passed under the aqueduct where the Leek Branch passes overhead.
We continued until we arrived at the official moorings just before Cheddleton. Again, Christine went to explore, this time to the village church where she was made very welcome by one of the flower arrangers preparing for tomorrow's harvest festival. As well as starting on this blog, Mike finished off the window surrounds - all have now had three coats of wax finish - undercoat on the bow and chopped some urgently needed sticks for fire lighting. Was 'she' impressed? Well . . . not telling.
8.0 Miles - 9 Locks
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