Aston Marina to Milton August 20th/21st/22nd

Started our first day of chugging on a beautiful calm Thursday morning, came out the Marina as Sheena put it 'like a right pro' all the locks right through Stone were set for us,with other boaters coming down as we went up, so fab.

Moored up ar Barlaston about 2ish had a late lunch then had a walk up to the village,then quenching our thirst in the Plume and Feathers, Niel Morrissey's new venture. Beer a bit pricy for 'up north' but very nice feel about the place.

Had dinner, then Gilly and Rand phoned to say they where on there way down from Etruria, moored up just above us and came down for drinks. Lovely to see them again.

Friday 21st we started off with intention of getting to Milton on The Caldon (not Cauldron) as I got it wrong, sorry Elli. Good progress up through the Stoke locks and the turn into the junction also want well. We filled up and emptied out then the fun started!

The Old Bill arrived with lights flashing and made chase after some youths. Who then slung their stash of drugs into the canal.

As luck would have it this lovely burley policeman asked if he could come on my boat and could we go back and forth in the basin using the fishermans net to see if he could find the stash. We had a grand old time for half an hour or so but no luck finding the stuff. Highlight of the day for me,there have been rumours that I may still have him handcuffed on board! No suck luck!

Eddie's Ode

A cooper jumped up on the boat

Quick as you can, I must be afloat 

I must be quick and have to dash

The dirty scum have chucked their stash

Into The Cut we have to fish

To get it out it was their wish

The evidence it must be got

Then into jail these kids must rot

Then a twisty old chugg up to Milton where we moored over night.

Saturday we had a bit of a Tilly Trot to The Moorcroft Potterery centre in Burslem. Beautiful pottery but just a tad out of my price range.

Caught the bus up to Hanley had a wander then the bus back to Milton. Sat out in the sunshine and tasted the local brew,then the heavens opened and we had and are having a really big thunder storm.

Carols Ode

Today the heavy rain clouds fell

To entice us with the magic smell

Of soggy grass and very wet ducks

But inside with beer we don't give a fig!!

Ed and I are now sweating hot

Roast in the oven, we will eat the lot

Yes Classic music is bellowing loud

Let's hope tomorrow we won't see a cloud.

That's enough of the poetry and prose. This is what happens when you have a brainy boat mate aboard.