Oystercatchers and the Pride Train.

 Thursday 8th June 2023 in Stoke on Trent.

As we were having breakfast, we spotted three Oystercatchers on the opposite bank. Unusual to see them so far inland and not as a part of a large flock.

On the other side of the field opposite is the main railway line and we saw the colourful "Pride Train" go past; good to see that it is still running. We've seen it several times in this part of the country.

 We set off under rather cloudy skies, which soon cleared to give a warm, sunny day. Soon we arrived in the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent at Trentham Lock. All along this stretch of canal are these large information boards showing the history of each area.

M photographed Trentham Lock as her sister's sister-in-law lives very close. Unfortunately we were not able to contact her in time but we plan to do so later in the year. .

It is amzing how quickly we get back into the rhythm of doing locks but you can never afford to be complacent and you still have to keep an eye on MM to make sure she is safe.

We stopped off next to Stoke-on-Trent railway station as M has to go home for the weekend to babysit and we needed to pick up her tickets. We have briefly moored here before, squeezed between a huge busy main road and a derelict warehouse, only now the old warehouse site is being redeveloped as a huge canal front housing and entertainment location. Hence the towering cranes and tall lift structures.Huge loads were being hoist right above our heads so needless to say, we didn't linger here.

 MM looked very small opposite the building side, next to the very noisy road. Definitely not a good place to overnight!

By the last of the Stoke locks, M found a bank of these lovely wild flowers. They are corncockles, rarely seen these days.  They made a lovely sight, flowering among yellow rattle.

Just south of Etruria, we moored up next to the two bottle kilns opposite the local cemetery. This is our favourite place in Stoke-on-Trent, we have moored here five times before! It is, by definition, very quiet!

 

Today: 5 miles, 3 locks and 2.5 hours.

Trip: 10 miles, 12 locks and 6.4 hours