Breakfast, a Missing Bottom and a Rescued Football.

 Monday 25th April 2022 in Stoke-on-Trent

Early morning moored right next to M&S, it could hardly have been closer!

With M&S that close, we couldn't resist breakfast! Contrary to how it may appear, we seldom eat out and, when we do, it is usually breakfast.

Right next to the mooring is a mile post which confirms that yesterday we only travelled just one mile!

The first lock in Stone is Star Lock, named after the pub next to it, which displays these plaques to underline its historic past.

The third lock in Stone is unusual in that it has a separate tunnel for the horses.

"Ovaltine" used to run a fleet of narrowboats to carry raw materials to its factories and finished products to its customers. Lovely to see occasional reminders of the old working boats. M was an "Ovaltinie" when she was about ten years old and still has her Ovaltine mug!

Welcome to Stoke-on-Trent!

The waterways never fail to surprise. Who would have thought this leafy green corridor is less than a mile from the centre of one of England's big industrial cities?

On the way into Stoke-on-Trent is the premises of Jones and Shufflebottom Limited, although a few yards further on, he seems to have lost his bottom!

These two  bottle kilns were restored in 2008 as part of a residential development, which was built on the site of one of the large old pottery factories. MM is moored up behind.

We like this mooring next to the two bottle kilns. On the far side of the canal is Hanley Cemetery, so it is by definition always very quiet!

As we approached this mooring, two lads were playing football on the towpath and the ball ended up in the middle of the canal. R used MM's bow to nudge the ball back to the lads as he moored up. The lads were amused and very grateful!

Today: 9 miles, 11 locks and 4.7 hours.

Trip: 10 miles, 12 locks and 6.0 hours.