And on to Leek

Monday saw us leaving Froghall and retracing our steps back towards the junction with the Leek branch of the canal. 

It was a beautiful sunny day and Little Switzerland looked gorgeous.

Just thought I'd show you the guage for the tunnel at Froghall.

It would have been a very tight fit and not worth the risk of getting stuck. Also it would have meant clearing everything off the roof and all for the sake of saying 'we did it.' 

I just love what this person has done to their satellite dish. 😊

See what I mean about the beauty of this canal?

I know you can't see him very well but the gentleman on the left has been looking after this lock for the last five years and turns up every day to help folk through. Nothing to do with C&RT just out of the kindness of his heart.

At the lock before this one we were waiting for a boat to come through when Brigid realized that it was a training boat. They weren't coming through but were going to turn their boat around several times, deal with a medical emergency, set off a smoke bomb (unexpectedly) to see how they reacted and generally put them through their paces. We left them having a chat and a cuppa before the ordeal commenced. We found all this out because the organisers didn't want us to call the police or fire brigade if we saw anything odd going on.

Nearly the last lock of the day and some help at hand. Just look at the ornate ironworks on the bridge.

And this is looking back at the work being undertaken on the bridge before the lock.

And here we are, just round the corner on the Leek branch. Lovely views ahead.

And alongside. 

Tuesday and on we go. 

These canals are not used as much as the mainline ones. They are shallow in parts and quite overgrown in places. However, they are beautiful and quiet. Well worth visiting if you have the time.

Rhododendrons all along.

And at the end of the canal a stone welcome sign. 

Even the roadsigns are in stone. 🤣

And, yes, you've guessed it, the obligatory café for lunch of Staffordshire oatcakes. I think we're addicted!

It's about 1.3 miles into Leek and after picking up more supplies, 1.3 miles back again. I can tell you that we were ready for a cuppa and snooze. Anyway this is looking forward from the front of the boat. Only 3 other boats here and 2 of them came up ahead of us this morning. 

Managed to reverse the boat past all the above without hitting any of them. Quite pleased really.