Cruising north

Our next stop was at Stone. History tells us that it was here that Josiah Wedgewood met James Brindley to plan the creation of a canal to run north south for 46 miles either way. So much of the pottery was being broken on the roads that water transport was considered.

We had not moved long enough to fill those batteries but it felt good to make some progress on a sunny day. It got cold over night and we woke to find ice on the canal but were not trapped by it. Took on water and continued up the hill to stop at Barlaston near the Wedgewood factory. We had done the tour back in 2005 when we last passed this way. Many of the bridges on the way were a bit low so had to keep pulling our cover down to get under them while it snowed. That trip was more substantial having done 7 locks and 3 miles. Many of the locks were deep n heavy to open but at least the batteries were full by the time we stopped.

Next day we continued through Stoke on Trent and its industrial wasteland of the potteries.

This is one that has gone since 2005

Sad to see so many derelict building and old bottle kilns, some of which have been destroyed since we past this way. The bridges were so low on the way through that we even removed the chimney to get under one. We stopped to consume soup made by Vic on No Problem and then picked up a plastic bag round the prop as we moved off. It was extremely cold putting a fore arm in to pull the bag off.

Eventually got to Westport Lake in the afternoon when it snowed. On the way we had passed at least one factory working but believe that even Middleport is under threat of closure.

As we were passing through Prince Charles and Camilla were looking at the Staffordshire Gold Hoard to be seen at the Potteries Museum. Huge crowds and cold conditions put us off having a look ourselves.