Barlaston a day late!

 

First lock of the day, Meaford Bottom Lock. It was at this lock, somewhere in the distant past, that I decided to take a bath. In other words, I fell in! That's not the only time I've done that and they do say that you're not a proper boater until you've fallen in. 

Poetry in motion. The captain demonstrates how to work a lock. Shame that, nobody's watching. 

And here we are. All of 3 miles and 4 locks later moored at Barlaston. 

As it was early in the afternoon so we went for a walk up towards Barlaston Hall. 

On the way we passed this lilly pond and from the top of the hill that followed there were stunning views all round.

Barlaston Hall, a Grade I listed property. At one time it was owned by the Wedgewood company but mining subsidence and dry rot made it uninhabitable. Eventually it was sold for £1 to an architectural preservation charity and the house was preserved. It passed into private hands and in 2024 it was put on the market for £3.5m. I wonder how much was spent to take it from £1 to £3.5m. 

And so, a day later than planned, a visit to the Plume of Feathers. Once owned by Neil Morrissey of TV fame.

We went the whole hog, starters, mains and afters. We only remembered to photo the main course which was Aglio e olio, an Italian pasta dish with plenty of prawns and garlic bread. 

Staggered back to the boat after and slept soundly for over 7 hours.