Stoke on Trent ( Westport Lake )

Today we had out first city to navigate through, Stoke on Trent. We had heard various stories about it so opted for an earlyish start. No sooner had we moved off towards Trentham Lock, we passed nb Amyjo who are fellow bloggers, and whose far more extensive blog, including video clips can be found in my blog list. We had a brief chat, having missed the opportunity last year when we were up near Chester. Just prior to the first lock we encountered a factory which is one of many that gave Stoke on Trent its nickname 'the potteries'.

       

Through Trentham Lock, we were soon into the suburbs of the the city. The first large building passed was a waste incinerator. 

       

As we got closer we could see some work being carried out at the top of the chimney stack. A head for heights would be a must in this job.

       

Once we had passed through the newer industrial areas of Stoke, we began to encounter some remnants of the industrial past. Bottle kilns used in the firing of pottery, are found intermixed with the modern city.

       

       

We had six locks to navigate today, the deepest of which were the Stoke flight, consisting of three locks, which raise the canal by 50 feet. The final two locks were operated by CRT volunteers, and the top lock is reportedly the third deepest narrow lock, on the entire network. More examples of past industry were evident at Eturia Junction. This is where the Caldon Canal leaves the Trent and Mersey heading towards Leek and Froghall.

       

       

                                                                  Etruria Junction.

We had passed several of the well known and famous makers of pots, including Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Spode. Then right next to the canal it was the turn of Middleport Pottery.

       

    

       

Soon after passing this pottery, we arrived out our mooring spot by Westport Lake. This is about a mile before Harecastle Tunnel which we will travel through tomorrow. The mooring here is about 200 yards long, and when we arrived we were the third boat. An hour later, after lunch and a walk round the lake, the whole length of the mooring was full, with further boats breasted up in places. It seems this is a popular spot.

       

       

                                                         Westport Lake mooring.

Totals 8 Miles 6 Locks

Running total 259 Miles 165 Locks 12 Tunnels