Endon

Today's Canal : Caldon

This morning Mike had a Zoom Meeting with the other K&A Waterways Chaplains. It did not begin until 11 but did finish just before 1. Before the meeting, Christine persuaded Mike to use a just-out-of-date pack of bread mix to make a loaf for lunch. After the meeting, we used the fresh bread with our lunch before finally leaving Cheddleton.

By the time we set off there were some good sunny spells but the wind was very chilly and so the overall effect was more autumnal then Indian Summer.

At Wall Grange there was once a station on the Biddulph Line, opened in 1873. The main station building, remarkably substantial, has remained and is now a private residence.

For those who like to debate the spelling, this is what the canal company called the aqueduct!

Before long we arrived at the bottom of the three lock flight that returns the Froghall Branch to the summit level of the rest of the canal. The paddles and gates were comparatively easy to operate although, as with most locks on this canal, the balance beams stretch out over the bottom of the lock and block the later addition of a foot bridge, making it a bit more difficult to avoid being pushed over by the beams!

Each of the locks was provided with a side pond (all now listed structures). These were intended to save water - typically half a lockful at a time, but it did depend on the sequence of boats up and down. As with moi]st across the network, these have all been decommissioned as too many inexperienced boaters find them too difficult to manage, wasting more water than they save. Also, they are a cost to maintain as their operation involves an additional paddle to control the flow of water between the lock chamber and the pond.

The lock keeper's house beside the top lock and Hazlehurst Junction is a splendid building, reflecting the importance of these key employees to the canal company. It may also have been their responsibility here top collect tolls, but that is a just a guess.

A sunnier view of the junction. Seeing the distances on the fingerpost, we wondered about the effort involved in building a transport system that moved goods no that far. Leek is only 3 miles and Froghall 7. But then we remembered that it is only in our lifetime that such distance have seemingly shrunk and places 10, perhaps 15, miles apart are no longer another world, to be visited only on rare and special occasions.

After four days without rubbish or elsan disposal, Endon Wharf was an important target for today. Whilst waiting for the water tank to fill, we noticed a boater waiting with a trolley nearby (but a bit too far away for a casual chat in passing) Then a parcel delivery van arrived and the driver asked Mike if this was the Canal and River Trust. He assured her that it was and that the man walking towards the van was probably who she needed, he had been there before we arrived! Turned out that he was a liveaboard continuous cruiser, moored just beyond the time limited moorings - twas supplies for pets! Again, a demonstration of how quickly life has changed and, in this case, made a nomadic canal existence more like that for people who live in houses!

After completing the servicing we moved a couple of boat lengths on, to the one night stands. The Stockton Brook flight is not far but no mooring options until the bottom, so best to stay here tonight.