North to go South.

 Saturday 8th June 2024 at Wedgwood.

The sun was actually shining next morning (hooray) as we set off towards Trentham. R watched the world go by at Yard Lock in Stone, waiting for the lock to fill.

The former brewery of "Joules of Stone" still borders the canal but now sadly silent and boarded up. The beer is still brewed but no longer here in Stone; it is now based in Market Drayton.

The old horse tunnel alongside Newcastle Rod Lock brings back happy memories of time spent here with our late dear friend Angi.

The sun continued to shine as we approached the four Meaford Locks.

We have always admired this house with its own private mooring. It came on the market not long ago but it was a bit outside our price range and a long way from the grand children.

The closure of the lock at Etruria meant that there was a shortage of water flowing down through Trentham Lock and we were advised to moor up at Wedgwood, where our friends Debbie and George will walk down to meet us tomorrow.

Wildflowers are in abundance in the hedgerows and fields. Dog roses, honeysuckle, pink campions, birds eye speedwell and the occasional Purple Spotted Orchid. Our mooring tonight was opposite  a buttercup meadow on the one side and a bank with a resident heron on the other. Perfect!

We also saw a pair of Oyster Catchers on the far bank, the first time that M had seen one.

Today: 4 locks, 8 miles and 3.3 hours.

Trip: 5 miles, 9 locks and 5.4 hours.