Dinner with Neil Morrissey and on the Westport Lake

It was a pleasant run from Stone to Barlaston on the outskirts of Stoke on Trent. Filled up water tank at point just below Star Inn and had pump-out at Canal Cruising just above Yard Lock - although full up with their hire boats, they were very helpful and accommodating as we had to moor 4 abreast and they gave Jan time to go to the adjacent Co-op for supplies.

Had a bit of a delay reaching Barlaston due to the volume of traffic on the cut but team work between boats speeded things up.  We have only travelled a few miles but did 8 locks before arriving at the Plume of Feathers.

We stopped here the last time we were up this way and it was a sad pub and had a pint but did not stop long. However in March this year it reopened owned by Neil Morrissey.  Had a good pint of beer this time but rather mediocre meal (I had faggots, Jan had beef-burger) then teamed up with a couple of fellow boaters for a rather prolonged drinking session which explains why there was no blog yesterday (you've got to let go sometimes!)

Passed the Wedgwood pottery factory, one day we will find time to go and have a look around.

Met up with yesterday's boaters at Trentham Lock; deep lock but team work helped again (note from photos above it's the usual practice of females on the locks!!).  However, got to Stoke Bottom Lock and had to queue, took us an hour to get through that one and another hour and a half to get up the remaining 4.

We passed Stoke incinerator today. Not the most interesting photo but important as Chris drove past it every day when he had the business in Stoke. Now we see it from a better angle.

We did notice that some of the old derelict pottery factories are coming back to life.

Weather really hot which made amends for waiting around plus good to catch up with yesterday's boaters.

Now currently moored at Westport Lake above Stoke.  Brilliant place for Spot as there are 'launching pads' for dogs into the lake, but have to keep an eye out for the usual Canada Geese creche.