You're lucky to get any pictures at all as it was raining on and off most of both days. At one point we even stopped under a bridge to let the worst of the downpour go over. There was a party of youngsters there as well with their minders/teachers but none of them seemed too downhearted by it all.
First thing we set off to take advantage of the little good weather that was likely to be around during the day. We hoped that we would clear all of the Stone locks before any rain set in, and in this we were quite lucky.
Passing Crown Wharf there is a bit of a development in progress. Joules brewery have acquired the site next to the brewery and are building their own pub along with a Studio Theatre and a site for a Heritage and Visitor facility. A marvellous centre for the whole community.
And here is the old brewery building next door.
We then stopped at Stone Boat Building Chandlers and bought 3 replacement leisure batteries. The old ones have not been holding their charge too well, so it was a case of bite the bullet time. Mind you, I did get a discount for buying 3 batteries and they took the old ones for recycling.
A little further on and we passed another boatyard which had a narrow-gauge railway on the quayside complete with trucks of coal ready for offloading. (in theory)
Even more houses canalside.
We ploughed on for the rest of the day through rainstorms and showers and managed to moor for the night opposite Stoke City FC ground on a brand new mooring. A quiet night, except for the rain.
The next morning, started the engine to a shower of sooty rain! Water had gone down the funnel and I hadn't put the cap on the top. (note to self - don't forget next time)
On the approach to Stoke-on-Trent you pass through all the old industrial area which is evidenced by the pottery kilns, now listed buildings in the middle of modern factory sites.
As we pass herons usually fly off ahead of the boat but this one just carried on walking along the path.
Jesse Shirley's Etruscan Bone & Flint Mill. A Victorian steam-powered potter's miller's works built in 1857. Phew, the old spellchecker didn't like any of that. Anyway, in steam every weekend. Shame it's only Wednesday!
After that, through Harecastle Tunnel (2926 yds) not raining inside but still quite wet in places. After you enter the tunnel, giant doors are closed across the entrance and extractor fans are turned on to keep the air clear. Passage takes about 40 minutes. The brown colour is caused by local ironstone strata. (rusty water)
Have tackled a couple of the locks in 'heartbreak hill' but there is a secure mooring in a wooded area so we are now stopping for the night.
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