Cheddleton

As we made our way to the first lock of the day, who should come through but boaters we had shared locks with before. It seemed that they had had problems on the canal, it being fairly shallow. Let's hope it's not a problem for us.

And below we see the captain having a good old workout.

There really is no need to go to the gym when you have a canal boat.

You also get to see some interesting sculptures along the way.

More stables converted into des res.

Oh, and look at that. A nicely restored tractor in its own outbuilding.

A sign indicated an obstruction in the centre of the channel. What is it?

Of course, a traffic bollard. No doubt, at Bank Holidays, they have a canal cop directing the boats 😂😂

On a sidearm the home of the Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club.

We stopped for lunch close to Endon Bank. It seems that we stopped here last time we came this way.

Now, turn left or right? Right takes you to Leek but we are going through the locks on the left on our way to Froghall.

Different canal, different winding gear. These paddles are operated hydraulically. Easier to work but more turns on the handle. By the way, I've left my locking key in place for the photo. We never leave them in place normally because if the paddle dropped or something else went wrong then the handle could fly off and cause an injury. 

Having dropped down through 3 locks we now go under the Leek branch.

We've arrived at Cheddleton where there is an old flint mill.

Once again we are mooring almost exactly where we moored last time. Mooring rings provided so a safe place to stay.