We moored overnight right by the Cheddleton Flint Mill.
This mill ground calcined flint, an important ingredient in the developing pottery industry. It is now maintained by a preservation trust but they are only able to open it a two days a week at most. Whilst we have passed several times now, we have not had the chance to see it open.
The reason for mooring here was so that we could attend the main morning service at the nearby parish church. Although we could see the top of the tower from the boat mooring, it was just over a ten minute walk via the village.
There were just under 30 in the congregation for a traditional celebration of harvest. The church was splendidly decorated with many floral displays - this one a bit quirky is called Wildlife Friendly Arrangement - contents donated to birds and small mammals.
The church is noted for its stained glass windows, many by William Morris and Burne-Jones, or their close associates. In the first window, the person with red socks is supposed to be William Morris himself.
This window, in the porch, depicts All things bright and beautiful, which of course we sang during the service!
As we walked back to the boat we could just see the River Churnet which, after the recent rain, was running very rapidly. We doubt that we could have made it to Froghall even if we had the time as part of the canal runs along the river.
We changed into boat clothes and had a cup of coffee before setting off once more, back the way we came yesterday. The weather forecast led us to believe that it would be dry but very grey. The latter was certainly true but we did have several showers.
But let's not complain (too much!) as there were a few brighter spells as well. The sun made cameo appearances.
We came up the three locks to Hazelhurst Junction reasonably quickly - a boat was just leaving at the bottom as we arrived but they were filling quickly and the top lock was almost full by the time we came to set it.
At the junction the Leek Branch comes in from the left . . .
. . . or from the right if you are looking back the way we came!
As we approached the services at Endon we could see that there were three boats already there so we tied up just before the bridge to have our lunch.
After the trip boat Beatrice, for disabled children, left after filling up with water, we were able to come up to the wharf and do all the usual processing!
We chatted to the owners of the other two boats. One was in the process of replacing his boat engine - he had earlier driven to Cambridge to pick up one that had been taken out of a wooden wide beam boat that had just been scrapped. The engine, he was told, had been reconditioned two years ago. He previously removed the old engine with the help of a digger to lift it out but he seemed to have a cunning plan to lift the new one in just with human power - not quite sure how, but we were not there long enough to find out!
The other chap was the proud owner of a 1930's working boat which he has had for around ten years. he moors it nearby but brought it up to the services point today (expecting little traffic - wrong!) in order to clean the algae off the sheeting, He had been refitting the beginning room over the summer and the weather conditions had been just right for the green stuff to grow out of control!
The five Stockton Broom locks were also all set for us (but some needed a bit of topping up) and so, with the occasional help from passers by and a boat arriving at the bottom as we were just entering it, we completed the flight in just 45 minutes.
After then passing through the two lift bridges the weather was looking again somewhat uncertain so we stopped as soon as we found a useful piece of armco. Time to prepare our Sunday Roast.
6.6 Miles - 8 Locks
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