Bottom of Stone to the Top of Stone - Trent & Mersey Canal

 Friday 13^th August

We didn’t move on Wednesday in the end as we had to get the train to Penkridge to pick up a testing kit from the doctors for me which Stoke hospital had sent there, then on Thursday we went to Trentham Shopping village and met our friend Jane.  It’s a great place with all the shops in wooden huts.  There is a big garden centre there as well and we had lunch in the Italian restaurant in the garden centre and it was really good.

                                     

So today (Friday) we are finally on the move just up four locks to the top of Stone.

We decided to set off quite early as we wanted to stop at the water point.  We untied and moved along to the water point.

Only one boat came past as we were filling up with water so that was good.  Once the tank was full, I walked up to the lock and emptied it ready for us.  This lock is right by The Star pub.

                                                     

There was a boat waiting to come down, so we left the gates open for him and went on to the next one.  There was a boat coming down so once they were out Kev came into the lock and up we went.

We passed the new Joules Brewery pub which is right on the canal and also passed the old Joules Brewery.

                                                

We stopped at the services to empty the loo and get rid of rubbish.  The next lock is right by the services so I walked up and opened the gates for Kev to bring the boat in.

Most of these locks fill quite quickly so we were soon through there and onto our last lock for today.

                                                     

The railway goes over the bridge just before this lock and as Kev was coming into the lock, a train went over.

Once through the lock, I shut the gate and Kev went on to the moorings which are just past the boat yard and there was a nice space right at the start of the moorings.   

                                                           

We tied up and then at lunchtime we walked down to The Star pub to meet our friends Steve, Sue and Monty the dog. We had a lovely afternoon together and also went for a drink in the new Joules pub which is really nice.  It was great to see the three of them and will look forward to meeting up again.

We are staying put now for the weekend as tomorrow (Saturday), we are meeting our Audlem family for a meal in the evening and hopefully do some trading during the day, then on Monday we will move on.